With vote looming, support for soccer plan is lukewarm on City Council

Charlotte City Council has historically supported spending public money on sports stadiums, but council members are lukewarm about funding a new soccer stadium in Elizabeth.

Five council members have told the Observer they oppose the proposal. One more “no” vote would derail the plan to have the city kick in $43.75 million toward the $175 million stadium.

Bruton Smith, the billionaire race track owner, and his son Marcus, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, are leading the effort for a Charlotte team. The ownership group has to submit a proposal for an expansion team to Major League Soccer by Jan. 31.

Council members say there are a number of reasons they are wary, including a rushed process and a lack of public input. They are also concerned about Bruton Smith’s feud with Concord nearly a decade ago over his plans to build a drag strip.

Another factor is the protests and riots that followed the Keith Scott shooting in September, and whether spending money on a soccer stadium is best for the city.

Mecklenburg County commissioners could vote Thursday on the proposal to have the county also pay $43.75 million.

City Council could vote Friday. Mayor Jennifer Roberts has asked the city manager to hold a public hearing and discussion about the stadium that afternoon.

At-large council member Julie Eiselt, a Democrat who is considered an important swing vote, said Tuesday morning she is against the proposal.

She said it’s too rushed, and she isn’t certain the county-owned Memorial Stadium site in Elizabeth is best.

Democrat Al Austin also said he wants more time.

“I would say right now I’m a no,” Austin said. “I don’t like being put under a deadline. We haven’t had a real opportunity to vet this.”

After Monday’s soccer presentation, council members talked about the challenges of economic mobility. That’s been a priority after the Scott protests.

“Using our dollars to support Major League Soccer – I don’t know if that’s right,” he said.

Michael Smith of Center City Partners has said the massive construction project could be an opportunity for the city to expand minority hiring and create internships for low-income residents.

Democrat at-large member Claire Fallon is also opposed. She cited Bruton Smith’s feud with Concord nearly a decade ago over incentives for a drag strip he built adjacent to his speedway.

“His record of what he did to Concord is not good,” Fallon said.

In 2007, after Concord objected to Smith’s plans to build a drag strip, Smith threatened to move his speedway. Cabarrus leaders wrote Smith a letter, committing to $80 million in tax breaks, grants and other public money to pay for speedway improvements.

Smith and the city fought for years over the terms of the tax breaks and what Smith had to do to receive them.

Bruton’s son, Marcus Smith, is the point person for the MLS bid. But Bruton Smith is believed to be part of the ownership team.

Republican Kenny Smith said “the process is incredibly rushed.”

“I have fielded calls from people who are generally on board with larger (Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority) projects,” he said. “And they are concerned.”

Democrat Patsy Kinsey, who represents Elizabeth, said Monday she’s against the deal. She’s concerned about how little time the city has had to consider it.

The deadline for applications to MLS is Jan. 31.

It’s unclear what would happen if the county approves its share and the city says no. Would the Smiths still move forward with their application?

In addition to the $43.75 million from both the city and county, the Smiths would pay $12.5 million upfront. They would pay the rest of their share to the county over 25 years, through lease payments of $4.25 million annually.

This story was originally published January 24, 2017 at 2:44 PM with the headline "With vote looming, support for soccer plan is lukewarm on City Council."