Former Anheuser-Busch president David Peacock and attorney Robert Blitz put the city of St. Louis’ cards on the table Friday, announcing plans to build a 64,000-seat multi-use stadium, to begin construction in 2016.
Photo of the proposed riverfront stadium #STLNFL pic.twitter.com/vBUMD6Xhuw
— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) enero 9, 2015
The announcement comes a week after Rams owner Stan Kroenke released details on his own football stadium to be completed in Inglewood, Calif. in 2018. Peacock and Blitz are part of a team put together by Missouri governor Jay Nixon, in charge of developing a stadium plan that would either keep the Rams in St. Louis or lure another team to the Gateway City.
Peacock is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Advisory Board and Blitz was part of the original team that brought the Rams to St. Louis. According to the plan, the team (be it the Rams or another franchise) along with the NFL would be responsible for half the cost of the $900 million open-air stadium. The other half would come from tax credits, public financing and seat licensing fees. City leaders have made it clear there will be no new tax burden on the people of St. Louis. The new stadium will be built just north of the Gateway Arch on the northwest edge of downtown St. Louis, along with a 10,000-space parking lot.
Plan unveiled for outdoor NFL stadium on St. Louis’ north riverfront http://t.co/11FCGUwbMc #business
— St. Louis News (@TheSTLScoop) enero 9, 2015
Gov. Nixon released a statement Friday coinciding with the plan, “’This proposal would not only protect St. Louis’ status as an NFL city, it would also provide the opportunity to redevelop underutilized areas of the city and create jobs.”
Presumably, the stadium would also be used to lure a new Major League Soccer team to the city as well. Peacock has shared the plants for the stadium with the Rams and the NFL, but has not met with Kroenke personally. In a written statement, the Rams said they would review the plan and speak to the stadium team.
According to St. Louis officials, Kroenke has not returned their calls since the season ended and speculation of a move to Los Angeles picked up steam. At least one Rams player, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, has expressed his displeasure at playing in an open-air stadium in December and January.
It’s nice but to stay n STL our stadium need to closed.. #LikeTheOld1Better pic.twitter.com/Zgfy1JVGZB
— Mr.Pix6Sh*t (@JjenkzLockdown) enero 9, 2015
