Itd be a tall ask asking for affordable housing at mckalla, but hey if any city council can swing that its austin's. I told you all along, dont underestimate austin's city council. Unlike the people pitching the plan, these people are smart and can see right through it. Thats what a degree will get you.
I think the mixed use proposals contain a low income housing element but are primarily commercial, office, and market rate housing. Capella is spending 250 mil on the 4 acres next to McKalla and propose 500 mil for the McKalla site. The other developer probably isn't going to spend that much but still more than the stadium will cost. Both proposals may end up asking for some sort of tax abatement but they are willing to pay market rate for the land, pay for the utility upgrades, and pay for a new metro station. So either would fit the city budget better than the stadium, at least under the PSV opening offer.
PSV's proposal is on the council agenda for their next meeting. That shows some political support. But with Whitfield-Chen coming out with a cash offer to buy the McKalla site, it would be hard to vote against Pool's RFP suggestion.
Whitfield-Chen don't have a major sports franchise. I would think some CMs can justify voting to move forward with PSV on that basis.
News of the real estate titans coming in is just salt on the wound. At least one of these guys is offering cash money for the site up front. That and Pool is a one woman wrecking crew, as predicted. Better deals for the site and the city, have predictably unfolded. https://www.mystatesman.com/sports/...ion-for-mckalla-place/shCVZf0I2K8Q9gOLSzVfLJ/ https://texasmonitor.org/austin-city-council-member-soccer-plan-massive-giveaway/ This never had a chance, not even for a second was there a threat to move the Crew to Austin. San Antonio better start revving up their engines for the next round of expansion.
Maybe, but there are still lots of details to work out including traffic and parking. There really isn't a good solution for those at McKalla. It's a fantasy to think the Domain will hand over thousands of parking spots on Saturday nights. Even if PSV had a good plan for those and picked up every cost, I'm not sure a soccer stadium makes sense for McKalla compared to regular development. And if Precourt was willing to pick up every cost, he should go back to the Statesman site downtown which would be perfect for him, apart from costing a lot to acquire.
Pool has complained about PSV not complying with a local Austin anti-lobbying law. What does it cover?
I hope the colors are white/blue and gold like the old Aztex. I wonder if it still has the IP or if it's open.
If there was never a chance, then why are you in the Austin expansion thread? If you are so confident would you buy me season tickets in Austin when they come next year? But for real, you might want to look at reality because you are going to be sorely disappoint when the move actually does happen. Repeatedly listen to stories that go on and on about Leslie Pool are making you over confident. Nobody ever counted on them voting for MLS, they bow to the elderly. I talked to the mayor last night and he said it was likely a "yes" once a few things are changed in the proposal.
The Crew won't be in Austin in 2019 due to the litigation in Ohio. It's scheduled to go to trial in March. PSV is already selling season tickets here for next season. If PSV wins the case and ACC has approved McKalla with the parking issues worked out, and a temporary venue found, then maybe 2020 is doable. Or maybe the courts insist on preserving the status quo until the completion of appeals.
You mean the reality that PSV is talking to Sacramento as well? Would he be doing that if Austin is a sure bet?
Personal attacks are the norm for your troll account. Still, no chance you are telling the truth. Just trying to counter the avalanche of information pointing the other direction. Which PR firm do you work for?
Ohio appeals court rejected the MLS/PSV appeal today. So it's back to court of common pleas for discovery, further motions, and trial scheduled for next year. MLS will probably head to federal court soon to try getting the Modell law overturned but that isn't a quick process. It's now almost impossible for the Crew to move to Austin for 2019.
I am feeling uneasy right now about Austin’s chances. On Wednesday a block of 4 city council members asked that the Requests For Proposals for the development of McKalla Place be required. The Austin newspaper just posted an editorial supporting the proposal for RFPs. That might indicate which way the wind is blowing politically speaking. Ever since the Butler Shores proposal was shot down, it seems like the city leaders have been more hesitant about PSV. When I lived in Austin some people liked to brag that “We’re not Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio.” Maybe influential leaders don’t want Austin to be a major league city? Maybe the University of Texas athletic department doesn’t want to see a share of its $214 million revenue siphoned off and is using its influence to protect its turf? Maybe Taylor Twellman was more than just “spitballing” when he said he thought the Crew would end up in Sacramento? Wait what? @TaylorTwellman you know something we don’t? #MLS pic.twitter.com/6m48W8kz1C— Uncle Sam's SoccerPod (@UncSamSoccerPod) June 5, 2018 There is a reason that the AAA baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are in Williamson county, not Austin (Travis county). Austin tends to make development difficult; Williamson County welcomes it with open arms. Maybe PSV as a last ditch should talk to the Robinson family at Austin White Lime. They might be able to spare a few acres on their 6000 acre ranch to partner in a development project with a soccer stadium, say about where MOPAC meets hwy 45 near La Frontera. “Spike” Robinson (r.i.p.) was slow to part with an acre. Maybe his son Brad would be more open to such a proposal?
It’s going to bring a collective sigh of relief for a vast majority of MLS fans. And I think that’s why there was such vitriol against Austin in general; everything about it was synthetic, AstroTurf (we will see just how embarrassing the numbers are the 28th). The wide use of paid internet shills was obvious, and didn’t work. It was always obvious to see through it. Also when Precourt pretty much said he’s covering no infrastructure and that they were going to use the parking at the Domain, for me that was the dagger. It’s over. It not only screwed Columbus, it screwed San Antonio, which has an actual fan base, an actual stadium, a location that is well...... no worse than McKalla. Garber really put his foot in his mouth this process, he sorely underestimated the push back not just from Columbus, but from the MLS fan base at large. It’ll remind Garber and future commissioners what’ll happen if they try and pull this again.
Didja see this?! Woah. The big guns are coming out: http://billiondollargiveaway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1735749766478361
PSV fights back by taking a sliver of the south end of the property and proposing a 130 unit affordable housing project. They will make up for lost parking by building a 4 story parking garage. PSV released a rendering of McKalla Place with possible on-site affordable housing along with statements from PSV lobbyist Richard Suttle and Foundation Communities executive director Walter Moreau. #MLS2ATX #SaveTheCrew pic.twitter.com/LGB0W8rDDp— Zach Smith (@ByZachSmith) June 26, 2018 https://communityimpact.com/austin/...le-housing-units-to-soccer-stadium-site-plan/ http://mls2atx.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018-0625-McKalla-Site-Plan_MLS2ATX.pdf PS. this article had something interesting background info: https://communityimpact.com/guides/...-mls-stadium-proposal-bids-for-mckalla-place/
Please. I'm sure Garber is going to concern himself with a bunch of under-bearded fanboys who want to maintain an MLS team in a bad market because he's afraid of their "push-back."
I'm educated on the desperate attempt by Columbus to litigate themselves into keeping their team despite dreadful attendance and an antiquated stadium in a medium sized market. I'm also educated on the business and economics of MLS and Garber isn't going to be cowed by a bunch of bandana wearing, under-bearded couch potatoes who make a lot of noise about a bad market. He will do what's best for the league regardless of the background noise.