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Minnesota United FC Stadium Tax Exemption Back on the Table

Minnesota United FC stadium rendering

A tax exemption for a forthcoming Minnesota United FC Stadium is back up for debate, as a proposal has been introduced in the house of representatives. 

The Minnesota Legislature will once again consider whether to grant a property-tax exemption for the stadium, which is planned for St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. If approved, the bill would free the $150 million facility from paying annual property taxes.

Last year, the proposal was debated by state officials before eventually stalling amidst a standoff between governor Mark Dayton and state legislators. With a bill now on the table, the stadium could receive exemptions from both property taxes as well as taxes on materials purchased for construction. More from the Pioneer Press:

Materials and supplies used for stadium construction also would be tax exempt. The exemption on construction materials would expire a year after the first Major League Soccer game is played in the new stadium.

The bill was referred to the committee on taxes.

Minnesota United team owners have said the tax exemptions are essential to moving forward with a $150 million stadium in St. Paul, though they’ve also said that they were confident the Legislature would come through. They have denied that the lack of exemptions was a hold-up for starting stadium construction.

MLS commissioner Don Garber recently expressed confidence that plans for the stadium will move forward, as United and St. Paul officials work on finalizing the necessary property acquisition for the project. Minnesota, which is joining the MLS as an expansion team this year, will play at TCF Bank Stadium until the new St. Paul facility opens–which will likely be during the 2018 season, or at the start of the 2019 campaign.

RELATED STORIES: Political Standoff Stalls Minnesota United Stadium ConstructionMinnesota Legislature Approves New MLS Stadium Liquor License, Tax Breaks; Down to the Wire for New Minnesota MLS stadium

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