Louisville’s Metro Council is expected to vote Thursday on a measure that would kick off a process to build a major league soccer stadium in Butchertown.
The gist of the deal is this: The measure would allow the city to issue $30 million in bonds to buy about 35 acres of land in Butchertown, plus cleanup the land and make infrastructure improvements. The investors of Louisville City FC, the city's professional soccer club, have committed to build a $45 million stadium on part of that land, and leverage private investment on the remaining parcels, including restaurants, retail and hotels.
Mayor Greg Fischer is touting the effort as a good deal for taxpayers. His plan calls for the city to get all of its money back—almost half from the team directly, and the rest from new tax revenue from the property. But others have questioned whether the investment will pan out, or whether Louisville really needs to pony up any money at all.
The debate has dominated conversation in the city during the past month. WFPL listeners weighed in, and here's what they said.
