INDIANAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Development Commission will designate a site southeast of downtown Indianapolis as a professional sports development area as an alternative site for Mayor Joe Hogsett to build a professional soccer stadium and accompanying mixed-use development. was passed without comment.
One of the downtown PSDAs already exists on the site of a former diamond chain factory on Kentucky Avenue as the home of a Major League Soccer franchise proposed by Indy 11 and Keystone Group owner Elsa Ozdemir.
Such a designation would allow the city of Indianapolis to direct site-specific tax revenues to repay bonds purchased for a publicly funded stadium.
City officials have said they don't believe Mr. Ozdemir has the financial wherewithal to complete surrounding mixed-use developments and meet the price tag of MLS franchise fees, which recently reached $500 million.
“We understand there are no guarantees with this project,” Hogsett said last Thursday when announcing the bid for a replacement site at the current Indy Heliport downtown on Pearl Street. “But every great accomplishment in our city's history began with a combination of opportunity and action.”
City-County Councilwoman Kristen Jones, who represents the west side of downtown, said the city and council should stand by their original support for Ozdemir and Indy 11.
“We have already been approved to develop such a site,” Jones said. “This is a story about my district. This is about my community. This is a story about my neighbors. This is about wanting the original PSDA and allocated areas and the promises we've already passed. It's about the many fans who came together today to show this city that they respect 11 Park, regardless of what jersey they wear on the field. is.”
I asked Jones what's wrong with having a backup site and letting a new group of potential owners choose which location to call home.
“What's the point? Because we don't want the alternative. We want to honor the work that's been done,” she said. “As for what's wrong with the first one, I don't have an answer. She spent 10 years planning our first project. There is no answer.”
Lena Hackett, who owns a historic office building on South New Jersey Street that will be moved to Hogsett's proposed second site, has already turned down one bid to buy the property. ing.
“We're not going to flip. We don't have money to buy a building right now. Then we won't have money to buy a building. There's nothing coming out,” Hackett said.
Hackett said that as a soccer fan, he believes there is potential for greater development if the city fully supports Ozdemir's plan.
“It's really about the impact on the community and the economic development of the surrounding communities. That happens in the West,” she said. “So if the city is going to work with the Major League Soccer team and put all their effort into that site and defend the site that you've already approved, then there's nothing wrong with that.”
The city faces a June 30 deadline to notify the Indiana House Budget Committee that it has designated a second potential special tax district for the football stadium, but first the proposal must pass the City-County Council. Jones said this proposal is right behind Indy 11. project.
