As if MLS Commissioner Don Garber wasn’t going to face enough questions about continuing to defend the Miami MLS franchise over their lack of a stadium, someone has, with impeccable timing, decided to stick the boot in.
Artist’s rendering of the Sacramento Republic Stadium
On Monday night, Sacramento City Council approved the Republic’s plans for a $226 million public-private partnership to build and finance a new MLS stadium at The Railyards in downtown Sacramento. The vote was 8-0.
Cynically, one could say that was one vote for each site that Miami has looked at and rejected, or been rejected.
The club press release is laid out in full below but they cannot be the only ones asking this question:
Sacramento has a team, a fan base, overwhelming support form the civic authorities, plans for an MLS stadium, and a funding package to achieve it.
If you think Sacramento Republic are too blue-collar and not glamorous enough for MLS, then look who is in your cup final.
Why exactly are MLS sticking with Miami other than Victoria Beckham doesn’t want to live in Sacramento?
Also see:
From April 1, 2015: Miami hope to be about to announce significant potential movement on aspirations in possible new announcement – soon
Sacramento Republic Press Release:
Sacramento City Council Approves MLS Stadium Plan by Unanimous Vote
Authorization of Preliminary Term Sheet marks successful completion of Operation Turnkey one month early.
SACRAMENTO, CA (December 1, 2015) – Tonight, the Sacramento City Council voted 8-0 to approve a preliminary term sheet for a $226 million public-private partnership to build and finance a new MLS stadium at The Railyards in downtown Sacramento.
“Once again, Sacramento has delivered,” said Kevin Nagle, Managing Partner of SSEH. “Operation Turnkey is officially complete and we have this entire community to thank. Our fans are ready. Our stadium plan is ready. Our ownership is ready. I could not be more proud of a community that is proving time and again that Sacramento is built for MLS.”
The vote marks the culmination of Operation Turnkey, an initiative launched in spring 2015 to enhance Sacramento’s bid to secure MLS rights and put Sacramento in position to begin construction of a soccer specific stadium immediately once an MLS franchise is secured. The plan called for the completion of five key activities by December 31, 2015 that would position Sacramento to be “turnkey ready” to build a new MLS stadium, should MLS decide to award an expansion franchise to Sacramento.
The preliminary term sheet sets forth a detailed framework on key items of the stadium plan, including: location, financing, ownership, design, development, construction, operation, use and occupancy, and maintenance and repairs.
Highlights of the term sheet included:
- SSEH will own and operate the approximately 450,000 square foot stadium at the northeast corner of The Railyards site
- The stadium will have a capacity of 25,000 seats, including 3,100 premium seats, and a dedicated “supporter section”
- Programming will include home MLS matches, friendlies, concerts, festivals and other sporting, family and civic events
- SSEH will arrange for a minimum of 6,500 parking spaces
- The stadium will have close proximity to light rail and the Sacramento Valley Station
- SSEH will fully finance the estimated $180 million in stadium project costs
- The City and other public agencies are committing the estimated $46 million in backbone infrastructure already completed (e.g. roads, sidewalks utilities, etc) on the site, which has been long envisioned as a perfect site for a catalyst project such as a soccer stadium
- There is no new public funding being committed
- SSEH will assume full responsibility for site assembly, predevelopment costs, cost overruns, municipal services and capital repairs
- SSEH will request to host an MLS All-Star Game within three years of the stadium opening
According to the City analysis, the project will generate as much as $341 million in economic output during construction and as many as 2,628 jobs. The analysis forecasts additional economic impact spurred in the surrounding area.
To drive the stadium development process, SSEH hired Legends as project manager and HNTB as lead architect. Preliminary renderings of the MLS Stadium were released earlier today and available for viewing at BuiltforSacramento.com. At the current pace of development, the new MLS stadium could open as early as March 2018.
While the term sheet is preliminary and non-binding, it serves as a good faith agreement and guideline for the preparation of definitive agreements between the City and SSEH for the development of the stadium, subject to all environmental considerations. The Preliminary Term Sheet will only become effective if MLS awards an expansion team and SSEH consummates the acquisition of the team.
To learn more on Sacramento’s efforts to secure MLS rights, visit SacRepublicFC.com.
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ABOUT SSEH AND SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC
Sac Soccer & Entertainment Holdings, LLC (SSEH) was founded in 2014 by Kevin Nagle. SSEH and Sacramento Republic FC are collaborating in efforts to acquire a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team and build a world-class, soccer-specific stadium in Sacramento. Republic FC currently operates in the United Soccer League (USL). The club won the 2014 USL Championship in its inaugural season and is committed to making the Sacramento region into the most inspiring, energetic and rewarding place to live, work and play.
ABOUT OPERATION TURNKEY
Operation Turnkey is an initiative launched in spring 2015 to enhance Sacramento’s bid to secure MLS rights and put Sacramento in position to begin construction of a soccer specific stadium immediately once an MLS team is secured. The five components of ‘Operation Turnkey’ are:
- Feasibility Studies. Produce one or more studies that further demonstrate Sacramento’s viability and competitive advantages as an MLS market. This will include a market overview, economic impact analysis, and stadium site study.
- Pre-Development Team. Identify a world-class team of sports and design professionals with deep expertise in project management, design, planning, engineering, pre-construction and related activities.
- Site Control. Complete definitive documents required for full control of the soccer specific stadium site.
- Concept Design and Cost Estimation. Complete conceptual renderings and cost estimates for the new stadium informed by input from ownership, staff, fans, partners, elected officials and the general public.
- Preliminary Term Sheet. Establish a detailed framework that sets forth the basic terms of agreement with respect to location, financing, ownership, design, development, construction, and operation of a new, state of the art MLS stadium.
Mayor Johnson, SSEH and Republic FC completed all five components by December 1, 2015.
