Precourt group focused on McKalla Place
The second round of informational meetings conducted by the city about Major League Soccer picked up steam Tuesday night.
The crowd at Northwest Recreation Center was much larger than last week’s initial gatherings — numbering at least 200 combined for two sessions — and included Council Member Leslie Pool, whose District 7 includes McKalla Place, where Precourt Sports Ventures aims to build a stadium for Columbus Crew SC.
PSV President Dave Greeley told the American-Statesman his group could release a preliminary site plan this week for the 24-acre, city-owned tract, with a stadium rendering to follow later this month.
Through four of these commu-
nity engagement meetings — there is another Thursday night at the Montopolis Recreation Center in Southeast Austin — the large majority of the crowd has seemed receptive to the notion of MLS in Austin, with a show of hands indicating support and applause breaking out a few times.
However, even some area soccer fans are conflicted by the potential move of the Crew.
“It would be bittersweet,” said Matt Walsh, who’s lived in Austin for 10 years. “Columbus has had the Crew since Day One. I wish there was another way.
“Yet I am a soccer fan, would like to have a team and we’re not doing anything with that McKalla property.”
John Ray moved to Austin two years ago from St. Louis. He is so dedicated to his favorite club team and that sport that he goes to sports bars at 6:30 a.m. to watch Aston Villa play English league games.
“With no other major league sports here, this is a really good opportunity to get our own team,” he said. “I want a team where I live to wrap myself around. Austin is fertile ground for MLS, ready and waiting. I wish it wasn’t Columbus’ team, though.”
Ray also retains a healthy skepticism on whether the move will happen.
“I place the odds at 40/60 against,” he said.
“I’m still concerned MLS is using Austin as a bargaining chip.”
Matt Ayers, a South Austinite who once worked an MLS sales position in Boston, is ready for his new city to do what it takes to get the Crew.
“This would be great for our community to rally around,” Ayers said. “The sport is gaining so much popularity with young people, and it perfectly fits the demographics of Austin.
“It’s been interesting to watch the process unfold. (PSV) started with the downtown parks. They kinda listened to the opposition and moved off those to this under-utilized area. I could see the Domain becoming a second urban center. The train stops help. It could mitigate the travel issues.”
Pool, who wants to explore other potential uses for McKalla Place such as affordable housing, told reporters she will await Precourt’s proposal before taking any hard-andfast stands. She also stressed she is looking for transparency in the process.
Austin MLS lobbyist Richard Suttle, who works for PSV, told the audiences, “The city will retain ownership of the land and the stadium. That will be the proposal. We’re not asking for public funds to build the stadium.”
There were some questions from the crowd about the legal challenges coming out of Ohio.
“I can’t comment on litigation, but I can tell you it hasn’t hit the pause button on bringing MLS to Austin,” Suttle said.