City Council may vote Thursday to weigh McKalla as stadium site

After more than a threemonth absence from the Austin City Council agenda, Major League Soccer will return to the table Thursday, when council members likely will vote whether to explore McKalla Place as a potential site for an MLS stadium.

Kathie Tovo will ask fellow council members to OK a resolution directing City Manager Spencer Cronk to do further analysis of 10414 McKalla Place and provide a detailed assessment of potential community benefits of putting a stadium on the North Austin tract.

Before the council votes, Tovo’s resolution will be amended by Leslie Pool, whose District 7 includes McKalla Place, and Alison Alter, who represents District 10, which borders District 7 to the west. Pool, who is out of town and will be unable to attend the meeting, suggested amendments that call for assessing “financial opportunities and challenges” involving the transportation network and utility infrastructure in the area. Alter wants an economic analysis of direct and indirect benefits, opportunity costs, potential liabilities and substitution effects.

Austin MLS advocates aim to organize a rally at City Hall in conjunction with the meeting.

Asian Chamber lends support: The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce released a statement Wednesday offering support for Major League Soccer in the city and urging the City Council to work with Precourt Sports Ventures, which wants to relocate Columbus Crew SC to the Texas capital.

Chris Bils contributed to this story.