MN United plans groundbreaking for new stadium despite uncertain state funding
Published 10:08 am Wednesday, December 7, 2016
- Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire unveils plans for a stadium for his team last February. A groundbreaking for the facility is set for next week. Tim Nelson/MPR News file
By Matt Sepic
MPR.org/90.1 FM
ST. PAUL — Minnesota United, the Twin Cities’ Major League Soccer team, is breaking ground on its new stadium on Monday.
But a major piece of financing for the $150 million facility remains up in the air.
The team plans to build the stadium in St. Paul near Snelling and University avenues on a 10-acre plot that used to be home to a Metro Transit bus garage.
The St. Paul City Council signed off on a master plan and rezoning ordinance for the project, but the state’s blessing is still tentative.
State lawmakers passed a key property tax exemption earlier this year as part of a bipartisan tax bill. But DFL Gov. Mark Dayton declined to sign it because of a $101 million error related to bingo halls.
Legislators have yet to agree on the terms of a special session.
But Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire has said he’s confident legislators will sort things out.
