Columbus Crew SC’s road to a new downtown home passed another key milestone on Wednesday, as Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a bill contributing $15 million in state funds towards the project.
Combined with the City of Columbus’ memorandum of understanding chipping in $50 million, a $45 million contribution from Franklin County, $30 million via a unique legal mechanism in Ohio Law called New Community Organizations/Authority (NCA) and upwards of $645 million in investment from Crew SC’s potential new ownership group, approval of the wider stadium-based mixed-use development project now stands that much closer to fruition.
Spearheaded by the aforementioned prospective ownership group led by Pete Edwards, Jr. and Dee and Jimmy Haslam, the plan calls for a $230 million, 20,000-capacity stadium as the anchor for a 33-acre site with a riverfront park, 885 new residences and more.
The project also includes a new destiny for MAPFRE Stadium, Crew SC’s current home: The historic venue will be renovated into a training ground for the team and a community sports park.
