Backers of a bid to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte say they're pushing ahead, despite the county commission's decision this week not to contribute funding for a new stadium near uptown. A statement sent on behalf of MLS4CLT says:
"We are not giving up on bringing Major League Soccer to Charlotte. To win an expansion team, we need a strong public-private partnership that works for all sides now and in the future. We want to work together with local leaders to seize this unique opportunity that will benefit our community for decades to come.”
The county commission voted Wednesday night to spend $49 million to complete 13 long-delayed parks and greenways projects. That's instead of providing funding for a new $175 million stadium on the site of county-owned Memorial Stadium.
In their vote, commissioners offered to give the old stadium to the city of Charlotte, which hasn't voted yet on whether to join the project. The council could vote on that later this month. But council members so far have not jumped at the offer.
