Sports in Austin

[deerhoof]

Big tweetstorm from a Columbus Crew fan who is not happy with today's news and is essentially already accepting they've lost their team in Columbus to Austin.

https://twitter.com/myoder84/status/920391573942276096

[deerhoof]

http://mls2atx.com/

At bottom of this website: Copyright 2017 MLS2ATX | All Rights Reserved — Precourt Sports Ventures

This website is yet another sign of how much Precourt wants the team in Austin.

[Jdawgboy]

http://kxan.com/2017/10/17/soccer-club-outlines-wishlist-for-potential-austin-location/

Here is the link to the story that I saw.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by brando

Every city that has ever gotten a relocated sports team started out as a — chip to pressure leaders in the team's current city to build them an arena.


I don't see how it would be possible to build it on the Statesman land if it's privately financed. That's very expensive private land you would have to buy as oppose to leasing city land for super cheap and you would be putting the most infrequently used type of sports venues on it. MLS stadiums are only useful for MLS teams. We aren't going to be benefited by putting a college football team in there or a Rugby team. Any marquee national team soccer match is not going to a 20,000k seat stadium.

Building it in front of Parmer Events Center if the city will lease the land for $1 a year makes more sense for a privately financed stadium. You would need to expand the parking garages there but I think there was already a proposal to do that. Anywhere an arena goes will undoubtedly influence where the next failed light rail bond goes.

I would definitely not support replacing Butler Park with any kind of stadium. Besides, the traffic nimbys are already shaking their fists to kick ACL Fest out of Zilker Park. Adding another major venue between Barton Springs and Riverside would make it worse. The idea of building a stadium there is the same kind of ghastly idea they had in the 1960s when they wanted to dissect the city with freeways on all sides and through the heart of it.

I also doubt there are few places big enough for a stadium. I don't think people realize just how big stadiums are, even for soccer. A stadium would basically gobble up the entire Statesman site, and that's without considering parking if they were going to have any. I also wonder about the bat viewing area and how that would figure into it.

Anyway, any sports facility at the Statesman site should have a pedestrian bridge going across the river to connect to downtown. That will need to happen. Can you imagine the stadium belching out 20,000+ people onto Congress Avenue, even if they're pedestrians inching past people on the Congress Bridge who are there to watch the bats? The traffic is going to be fun.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I would definitely not support replacing Butler Park with any kind of stadium. Besides, the traffic nimbys are already shaking their fists to kick ACL Fest out of Zilker Park. Adding another major venue between Barton Springs and Riverside would make it worse. The idea of building a stadium there is the same kind of ghastly idea they had in the 1960s when they wanted to dissect the city with freeways on all sides and through the heart of it.

I also doubt there are few places big enough for a stadium. I don't think people realize just how big stadiums are, even for soccer. A stadium would basically gobble up the entire Statesman site, and that's without considering parking if they were going to have any. I also wonder about the bat viewing area and how that would figure into it.

Anyway, any sports facility at the Statesman site should have a pedestrian bridge going across the river to connect to downtown. That will need to happen. Can you imagine the stadium belching out 20,000+ people onto Congress Avenue, even if they're pedestrians inching past people on the Congress Bridge who are there to watch the bats? The traffic is going to be fun.

Fair points all around. Even the MLS in ATX supporters group is saying the AAS site wouldn't be a consideration (not that I'm sure they're really in the know on that, but perhaps someone is...?). In any case, I think Riverside/Congress would be an okay location if it worked with all of the surrounding development to come - including parking. However, in a utopian world, I would love to see less parking to increase the need for mass transit to the area and make the stadium a true neighborhood/downtown stadium. Unlikely, I know, but it would be cool. A pedestrian bridge across the lake would be great, and incorporating it with the bats in mind could produce something really creative.

The size needed for a stadium dramatically decreases without parking, of course. How does Houston do it? Anyone have first-hand knowledge? My assumption is they share the massive parking lot with Minute Maid Park, but is that enough? Also, even with that, their stadium takes up about six city blocks. We could assume ours would require about the same.

[lzppjb]

How about the Brackenridge tract?

[drummer]

Originally Posted by lzppjb

How about the Brackenridge tract?

Could be an interesting thought, and UT might be willing to sell the land to a private company for the stadium if the price is right.

However, my personal issue would be this: the only way there would be Lake Austin Blvd, Enfield, and, even worse, Redbud Trail. I think transit would be less likely to that area than others and traffic would overwhelm those corridors in a heartbeat.

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

It's public parkland for one thing and it has a use. Secondly there would be protests like you have never seen if a private venture was to be built over some of this city's most precious assets. It's not going to happen.

Nope, again you're wrong. Precious my —. "Butler Park" to the west of Palmer Event Center has only been a 'park' less than 10 years. From 1947-1967 it was a baseball stadium, from 1967-1985 it was a dirt lot no one cared about, and from 1985-2000 it was the practice field for Capitol Soccer Club. So its most recent use was by people who grew up playing soccer in this city (oh, hmm maybe they're involved in this project). No one will protest building a soccer stadium there.

Like drummer has been hinting at, it could easily be 'leased' to the city for $1 per year making it much cheaper than the Statesman site. That would be city help without 'public financing' of the stadium. No protests, shared parking with existing facilities, return to historic use, walking distance from downtown, 'waterfront' downtown concert venue, it all adds up.

[hookem]

I agree with Kevin about any stadium at Butler Park.

Furthermore, I doubt seriously that the AAS site or Brackenridge tract would be in play for an MLS stadium. When/if those properties become available, there would be a line of private developers with HUGE pockets that would be proposing projects way beyond an MLS stadium.

I just don't see any chance of soccer stadium being built on any of those prime downtown-adjacent properties. If it happens, it will be another location -- COTA perhaps, or somewhere in town and not far out. With enough room for lots of parking. But not at one of those premiere locations.

Originally Posted by drummer

However, my personal issue would be this: the only way there would be Lake Austin Blvd, Enfield, and, even worse, Redbud Trail. I think transit would be less likely to that area than others and traffic would overwhelm those corridors in a heartbeat.

I know, right? Traffic is already ridiculous around Lake Austin and Mopac during any time with even moderate traffic. Already overwhelmed. God help you if you happen to need to get through that mess between 4-7pm.

[KevinFromTexas]

I've always thought that the area around 183 just north of the river is a prime place for something like this. You could have light rail going down either Cesar Chavez or 7th Street. Plus, it's around 3 miles from both downtown and the airport.

The SBC Center in San Antonio where the Spurs play is almost exactly the distance east of downtown San Antonio as the intersection of 183 and the river are in Austin from our downtown.

[The ATX]

This SA Express News article started off with good info about the possible move from Columbus to Austin. But the writer then started hating on Austin as if Austin was part of a conspiracy against SA.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/column...-to-dance-with-our-MLS-date-12285385.php

[drummer]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I've always thought that the area around 183 just north of the river is a prime place for something like this. You could have light rail going down either Cesar Chavez or 7th Street. Plus, it's around 3 miles from both downtown and the airport.

The SBC Center in San Antonio where the Spurs play is almost exactly the distance east of downtown San Antonio as the intersection of 183 and the river are in Austin from our downtown.

You know, I was thinking about that also. During my breaks between work I've been staring at Google Earth thinking of where a soccer stadium could go in the metro area. They said downtown would be ideal or a centrally located hub for the metro area (paraphrasing). The issue for me is that this area isn't currently a hub, really...the expo center, I suppose, but it's pretty far off the beaten track. Where 183, Airport, 7th, and Cesar Chavez all convene could work, but you lose the rail component there also.

[atx-adam]

From Kirk Bohls' article this morning:

2. I’d give the likelihood of the Columbus Crew moving to Austin at no better than a 50-50 shot, but Circuit of the Americas chairman and soccer advocate Bobby Epstein said Columbus has offered the team guaranteed sponsorship money to stay put. “I don’t think it’s realistic to do here,” Epstein told me, “but it’d be great for Austin.” He believes Crew owner Anthony Precourt wants to sell the team and could probably sell it for at least 50-percent profit. Epstein said the Crew’s first choice of a site would be the Butler Shores at Town Lake Metro Park, about 12 1/2 acres of city-owned land west of Zach Theatre currently used as baseball and softball fields, but he wonders about the traffic clog on Lamar Blvd. and the lack of parking. “But if they’re willing to build a major stadium here with private money, that’d be great for the city,” he said. The viability of an MLS club becoming our first pro franchise does make some sense because Precourt desperately wants to relocate here, he insists a new stadium (for at least $130 million) would be publicly financed and involve zero tax dollars, and the University of Texas is not only not fighting the possibility (unlike in previous decades) but says any problems of sharing UT’s Mike Myers Stadium are “not insurmountable.” I’m not seeing a downtown site, however. “I think there is a future for soccer here,” said Epstein, who is planning to build a smaller soccer stadium at COTA for a USL franchise. But, if the Crew relocates here, he mused, “There might be a city in Ohio that wants a USL team.”

I hadn't realized there were baseball fields tucked back there behind Chuy's, Shady Grove, and the condos. I'm not sure how you'd handle parking or prevent traffic nightmares, though.

[deerhoof]

Originally Posted by atx-adam

From Kirk Bohls' article this morning:



I hadn't realized there were baseball fields tucked back there behind Chuy's, Shady Grove, and the condos. I'm not sure how you'd handle parking or prevent traffic nightmares, though.

ACL is held two weekends out of every year very close to this location with many more people and that has been successfully figured out and I hear no one complaining about "nightmare" traffic situations. People just realize they need to find other options like public transportation, bikes, walking, etc. If you build something people love in an accessible location, they'll find a way to get there. Looking on the map at the Portland Timbers Stadium, it appears there is no onsite parking. In fact, here is a quote from the team's website:

"Instead of parking in neighborhoods near the stadium, the City of Portland encourages Timbers fans to park downtown at SmartPark or one of the many of private parking lots. Consider walking or using TriMet’s express bus between the stadium and major downtown stops."

[H2O]

I figured something might be up a couple weeks ago when I walked by a suit standing outside City Hall, and I overheard him say into his phone "Does MLS want it to be Downtown?"

[oberthewhat]

Portland Timbers have a light rail stop right outside of the stadium. Too bad Austin cant get behind any good public transportation options. Cars rule.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by The ATX

This SA Express News article started off with good info about the possible move from Columbus to Austin. But the writer then started hating on Austin as if Austin was part of a conspiracy against SA.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/column...-to-dance-with-our-MLS-date-12285385.php

The fact of the matter is that Austin was the chosen one. I'm not aware of Austin openly soliciting for this franchise. Give it a rest SA.

[Austin1971]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

http://kxan.com/2017/10/17/soccer-club-outlines-wishlist-for-potential-austin-location/

Here is the link to the story that I saw.

I think the AAS site and the south shore properties next to it will be the location if it happens. Heck if you combine a few more properties you could add an arena as well. Connect the north shore with a ped bridge for hotels and parking plus creating easy access to 6th and the Rainey district. MLS wants a DT stadium within walking distance of hotels, bars and restaurants. That's one of the main reasons they're leaving Cbus.

As far as SA is concerned they can support Austin FC like Austinites support the Spurs.

[Tyrone Shoes]

Originally Posted by the Genral

The fact of the matter is that Austin was the chosen one. I'm not aware of Austin openly soliciting for this franchise. Give it a rest SA.

Sounds like someone is jealous....rather a couple million someones are jealous.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by the Genral

The fact of the matter is that Austin was the chosen one. I'm not aware of Austin openly soliciting for this franchise. Give it a rest SA.

I'm hopeful, but I wouldn't count chickens yet.

If this relocation happens, great. But if not SA will get a team first.