The Columbus Partnership and potential new Columbus Crew SC ownership group led by Pete Edwards, Jr. and Dee and Jimmy Haslam have revealed their plan for a new downtown stadium, announced Thursday.
The proposed $230 million, 20,000-capacity stadium is proposed to be part of a 33-acre site with a riverfront park, 885 new residences and more.
“This is the next step in what some may have thought was an impossible dream,” said Alex Fischer, President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership said in a media release. “Today’s announcement showcases our community’s commitment, in partnership with the Haslam and Edwards Families, to MLS soccer in Columbus. The creativity behind this one-of-a-kind public-private partnership brings together a vision for a new stadium with a broader community development plan. Columbus will be the national standard-bearer of what defines collaborative relationships between professional sports teams and their communities.”
According to Columbus Business First, the ownership group will be investing more than $645 million into the project.
“We continue to be very encouraged with the significant progress made in Columbus by the Haslam and Edwards families and the Columbus Partnership,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said. “To ensure the long-term success of Crew SC, and for the Club to remain in Columbus, a critical component of our discussions has been plans for a new stadium, as well as increased fan and corporate support. We hope to see these essential elements finalized soon. While there is work to be completed, we commend Mayor Ginther, Alex Fischer, the City, the County, and all who are engaged in this process, which we believe will deliver great benefits to Crew fans and the Columbus community for generations to come.”
There will be a public hearing regarding the proposal at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday in Council Chambers.
“We are thrilled with the tremendous progress that has been achieved in this short period of time to keep the Crew in Columbus while creating a long-term plan that will greatly benefit the community," the Haslems and Edwards said in a joint statement. "The vision for a shared community sports park is especially exciting as the opportunity to more deeply engage Columbus youth with soccer and other sports is so valuable."
