Springfield MO Soccer

The St Louis Soccer United organization has noted on their website that the Collinsville (IL) City Council has approved a pre-annexation agreement that will allow the developer, Jeff Cooper, begin moving forward on the development of a soccer specific stadium, the first step in attracting a Major League Soccer team.

The pre-annexation agreement that was approved this evening is essentially an agreement between the city and St. Louis Soccer United to initiate negotiations for annexation of portions of the site not currently within the Collinsville city limits, to rezone the property as a Planned Unit Development, begin the Tax Increment Financing process, initiating an on-site tax package to service construction bonds, and the extension of an enterprise zone to the area.

St. Louis Soccer United is proposing the development of a multi-pronged project that includes:

* Securing an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer.
* A state-of-the-art soccer complex with an 18,500-seat stadium.
* Eight fully lit FIFA-approved synthetic turf fields and a professional grass training pitch.
* Approximately 400 acres of mixed-use, new urbanism development including retail, office, and residential uses.

The overall development is targeted for suburban Collinsville on 400 acres nestled within the intersection of Interstates 55-70 (east-west) and Interstate 255 (north-south), just 10 minutes from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

If you’ve been to a Metro United soccer tournament, you’re familiar with the area they are planning on developing. And these guys are good. They’ve already got a quote from Major League Soccer included in the press release

Major League Soccer is pleased with the positive vote from the Collinsville City Council to build a soccer-specific stadium and mixed-use development in the city,” said MLS President Mark Abbott. “Collinsville joins a long line of communities that have partnered with MLS clubs to build world-class stadiums and soccer complexes.

“The metropolitan St. Louis area is one of the most passionate and storied soccer markets in the United States. Tonight’s vote is a very positive step and we look forward to continuing our discussions to bring a Major League Soccer club to the area.”