Will this proposal to modernize Memorial Stadium help Charlotte attract an MLS team?

For the past two years, a select few Charlotte soccer fans like myself have been keeping an eye on American Legion Memorial Stadium.

If you aren’t familiar with the stadium, here’s a quick rundown:

– It was built back in the 1930s as a WPA project.

– It used to be a complete horseshoe configuration until 2009 when a storm drain collapsed under the east end and the stands were replaced with a grass berm.

– It’s been mainly used to host big high school football games that demanded a higher capacity than a school stadium could handle, and, more recently, as the home of the Charlotte Hounds professional lacrosse team.

On July 6 the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners will hear a proposal for Memorial that would modernize the 80-year-old stadium.

The proposal

The slide deck from the presentation is available online, but here’s the gist:

– Depending on if the stadium uses natural grass or synthetic turf, total cost of the renovation will be either $22 million or almost $25 million, respectively

– It will reduce seating from its current 17,000 to 10,870 but will bring back the full horseshoe configuration it had when built.

– The stone walls will be preserved but moved back in order to expand the field and make it large enough for soccer.

– Completely overhaul concessions, restrooms and box offices.

– Construction could be completed sometime in 2019.

According to Erik Spanberg at the Charlotte Business Journal, the county, city and the Charlotte Independence professional soccer team ownership would pay for the costs of the renovation.

Independence is looking to become the new Memorial Stadium’s main tenant and the team believes a move into Elizabeth could further move the team into the city’s professional sports DNA. It’s unknown right now what the split of the costs would be between the three and that could sway public opinion to support the project.

What’s next?

The presentation July 6 is just the first step. If the county decides to move forward with conversations, the city government will deliberate on the issue in August. It’s a little complicated due to the stadium owned by the city, but operated by the county, and that they proposal includes both governments helping to pay for the renovations.

For some, including the Independence ownership group, Memorial Stadium would be the perfect home for a Major League Soccer franchise. The team, in its second season, currently plays in a stadium at Ramblewood Park. Moving the team to a real, permanent stadium just outside uptown could see a boost in attendance and awareness similar to the Knights’ move to BB&T Ballpark.

One-off soccer events in Charlotte over the past few years, like the International Champions Cup and two group stage matches of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, have drawn large crowds. And Major League Soccer is in a state of expansion, adding teams in Atlanta and Minnesota, and a second team in LA in the next few years.

If Charlotte renovates Memorial Stadium, it doesn’t mean the city will automatically get an MLS expansion team, but many see Memorial as the best option available.

This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Will this proposal to modernize Memorial Stadium help Charlotte attract an MLS team?."