Assistant city manager: City contribution for tennis stadium could be $60-$70 million

CHARLOTTE — For the first time, the entire Charlotte City Council heard a presentation from Beemok Capital on a proposed tennis stadium complex in the River District. The presentation comes nearly two weeks after the city and county’s economic development committees held a joint meeting to official unveil the potential project.

Charleston businessman Ben Navarro is pitching the 50-acre stadium and campus, along with the relocation of the Western & Southern Open, which is commonly known as the Cincinnati Masters. Its winner gets one of the nine most prestigious trophies in tennis, and the tournament “perennially guarantees a lineup of the best players in the world.” The tournament would relocate in 2026.

The Charlotte City Council must let Beemok Capital know by the end of the summer if council members are on board.

“This would be a jewel in our crown if we can add tennis at this level to our sports portfolio,” Councilmember Dante Anderson said.

It’s a $400 million project and the developer wants the public to contribute a third of the cost.

The state, county and city would all contribute. Assistant city manager Tracy Dodson says the city’s contribution would be $60 to $70 million from the hospitality fund, which is composed of hotel and motel taxes and can’t be used for things, such as affordable housing or public safety. It can only be used for tourism purposes.

“Worth mentioning again to the public, that when we talk about public money, this is not your property tax or sales tax,” Councilman Ed Driggs said.

The developer is considering keeping the tournament in Cincinnati and also says other cities are in consideration.

But Charlotte City Councilman Malcolm Graham thinks the ball is in Charlotte’s court.

“I believe, this is Malcolm speaking, it is ours to say no to,” Graham said. “But I think we should say yes very loud and very clear.”

The tennis complex would be off Dixie River Road near Interstate 485. There is land that is currently owned by the airport that would be used for parking.

It’s unclear when this will be discussed next. The full Mecklenburg Board of Commissioners has not discussed the proposal yet.

VIDEO: Tennis stadium proposed for west Charlotte’s River District

Tennis stadium proposed for west Charlotte’s River District

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