Mecklenburg Co. commissioners put off vote on MLS stadium

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Major League Soccer supporters suffered a huge blow Monday while Mecklenburg County leaders decided how to spend taxpayer dollars next year.

County commissioners decided to temporarily pull funding for the new MLS stadium, which would mean demolishing Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth.

(MLS stadium rendering)

The decision came as commissioners spent the morning discussing the $1.7 billion operational budget.

During the meeting, commissioners were able to recommend changes and take straw votes on the budget before it is finalized on June 20.

[CLICK HERE to read entire budget proposal]

The new MLS stadium is projected to cost around $175 million. The deal was the city and county would each provide $43.75 million with the ownership group, led by Speedway Motorsports' Marcus Smith, putting up the rest of the money.

The county voted in January in favor of the funds, but the city never took any action.

"When the city backed out or was reluctant to join, it did change things," said Commissioner at-large Trevor Fuller.

Mecklenburg County commissioners are now pulling the project from the capital improvement plan. Commissioners are giving City Council members until August to decide if they want in on the project. If the city doesn't, then the MLS deal is likely dead in the water.

[PAST COVERAGE: City 'not prepared to move forward' with MLS proposal]

"We want to at least give the city the option to reconsider and give us the best shot to get Major League Soccer in Charlotte," Fuller said.

Commissioner Pat Cotham said she hopes this is the beginning of the end for the MLS deal. She wants the county's nearly $44 million to go toward greenways and parks and recreation.

"I think we are way out of our lane. I want to stay in our lane and I want those tax dollars to go to the people," Cotham said.

Charlotte mayor Jennifer Roberts said that discussions are ongoing,

Twelve cities are vying for expansion teams.

MLS executives are expected to tour Charlotte this summer.

The MLS is expected to announce two new teams this summer and two additional teams at a future date.

Potential owner Marcus Smith has been meeting with Charlotte City Councilmembers. Last week, Smith met with Julie Eiselt and Patsy Kinsey.

Kinsey represents the district the future stadium would be in.

"The campaign for MLS continues," Smith said. "We will focus on informing city leaders about the benefits of MLS, so they can reach the best decision for our community. We encourage MLS supporters in Charlotte to make their voices heard prior to August 2."

Other budget items discussed

Commissioners have approved Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' request for $433 million.

Commissioners motioned to add $322,000 to supportive housing and also recommended adding $248,000 to the health department to help with the HIV epidemic.

That money would go toward treatment and prevention under a plan that hasn't yet been developed.

Commissioners also passed a motion to add $258,000 toward health promotion.

Commissioners also took straw votes for the $1.6 billion capital budget, which will include funding requests for 62 projects and the CMS bond package.

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