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Proposal released for Major League Soccer bid in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County says it's time to hear from taxpayers and find out if there's enough support to build a soccer stadium in Charlotte

Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio said Friday she is in support of a proposal to build a new stadium if Charlotte wins a Major League Soccer franchise.

“The time is now to take advantage of this opportunity,” Diorio said.

This draft deal was released Friday and indicates the overall construction is $175 million dollars and if it is approved, Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte would contribute about $44 million each.

Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth would be replaced with the new soccer stadium.

The team would be responsible for operational costs, but the county would finance and lead construction of the project.

Some taxpayers are reluctant to support this project.

“Charlotte-Mecklenburg has a winning model as it relates to sports stadiums,” Diorio said. “If you look at how successful we've been in every instance that we have invested in a sports venue, we believe we know how to make it work and this is no different.”

She also pointed to future development and taxes generated from the project.

“I think it's money well spent,” Diorio said.

The ownership group Speedway Motorsports, Inc. that runs Charlotte Motor Speedway insists taxpayers will benefit from this deal.

“Part of why we can all enjoy living here, is because of a lot of those public-private partnerships that have happened,” Marcus Smith with Speedway Motorsports, Inc. said.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will hold a public forum Tuesday, and county officials will vote on the plan two days later.

There is no timeline on when City Council will look at the deal.