In advance of a report on potential stadium sites, Precourt Sports Ventures is outlining its vision for an Austin MLS stadium at Butler Shores Park.
PSV–the organization led by Anthony Precourt–is currently considering a move of Columbus Crew SC to Austin. With Austin expected to release a report next week on city-owned sites that could be used for a new stadium, PSV is pointing to some of the advantages that Butler Shores Park has to offer.
PSV has detailed its vision for a Butler Shores park MLS stadium. A 20,000-seat venue could be constructed on the west side of the space, with parkland to the east. Rather than rely on on-site parking spaces, the stadium would be accessed via parking spots in downtown Austin and various methods of transportation. The facility be constructed 15 to 20 feet into the ground to reduce its height, and the group is suggesting the scheduling of 8:00 p.m. matches to minimize hot weather conditions and conflicts with rush-hour traffic.
Ahead of next week’s report from the city, PSV is making the case for why an Austin MLS stadium at Butler Shores Park could benefit the area. More from The Austin American-Statesman:
“We want to improve it as a park site and play soccer matches there as well,” said PSV president Dave Greeley. “We could add a community plaza, and the hike-and-bike trail actually becomes more accessible from different vantage points around the stadium. This is a potential enhancement of the site through private investment.”
City staff will present an inventory of potential stadium sites next week, to be discussed at the Dec. 14 City Council meeting.
“Of the ones we know so far, the location at 200 South Lamar checks all the boxes,” said Richard Suttle, an Austin MLS lobbyist working for PSV. “We’ll all anxiously await the city’s report. The soccer team wants to be downtown, and I don’t know many other tracts available with that kind of setting.”
To this point, no final decision has been made regarding the potential relocation of Crew SC. The club is slated to spend the 2018 MLS season at its current home, MAPFRE Stadium.
Rendering courtesy Precourt Sports Ventures.
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