PSV releases possible economic impact of Austin stadium

Last week Precourt Sports Ventures turned their attention to McKalla Place for a stadium in Austin, Texas. This week PSV detailed how moving the team and building the stadium would benefit the community, releasing a statement claiming that there will be $326 million in economic benefits over 25 years.

The letter released on the MLS2ATX.com site details how building a soccer specific stadium will benefit Austin in the eyes of PSV. The total monetary or in-kind benefit includes the cost of stadium building and the operations of the stadium for 25 years (at which point, I’d expect PSV to ask for another stadium or perhaps threaten to move). The stadium construction is likely to generate a significant portion of the benefits in the employment on construction staff for the duration go the project.

PSV then details benefits from the “Operational Phase” of the stadium. They pledge $2.5 million in direct donations and 2,500 volunteer hours. They also expect $4 million in donations to nonprofits via food service operations, a program that sounds similar to one used at MAPFRE Stadium. PSV also tallies the the $1.35 million in food services operation as a benefit.

PSV lists community usage of the stadium, including allowing usage as a community meeting space and allowing the Austin Independent School District full use of the stadium once a year. The team also cites the employment of over 100 people as front office staff and 750 part time stadium staff.

Additionally, PSV also details youth soccer related activities such as clinics, camps, and gear donation. As well as a Youth Academy, replicating the Crew SC Academy that the team currently has.

This is a necessary step as PSV had previously touted the benefit to the city if the stadium was built. The letter starts to detail the economic benefits to the community. The letter also avoids questions surrounding and deal to possibly move to Austin. These include issues such as specific tax benefits that PSV may seek and any required infrastructure improvement for the McKalla place site.

It’s clear that PSV is pushing hard to find a solution to move the team to Austin. The letter is the first attempt to build a bridge to a community that has been skeptical of PSV’s machinations that initially included using public parkland for private enterprise. Many of PSVs claimed benefits now go beyond soccer, to the schools and local non-profits.