At this point, nearly four years of planning effort and study have gone into developing this project which will tremendously benefit our community in terms of providing needed soccer and multi-sport facilities for local clubs and teams, and quality facilities that would draw visitors from outside our region for tournament play. Communities much smaller than Mobile in our own area and throughout our state and country have invested in and realized the benefits of providing soccer facilities for a sport that has grown and continues to grow exponentially in interest and participation.

An important benefit of building the proposed facility is its economic impact, according to a feasibility study in May of 2015 by Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA). The study reported that "In the first year of operations, the regional sports complex is projected to host 10 total events and generate over $6.5 million in economic impact. At maturity, which is projected at year three, the sports complex is projected to host 15 total events and generate over $11 million in economic impact." It also stated that "the sports complex is projected to generate a total incremental tax revenue generation for the County and City that exceeds the annual operating loss." To view the SFA feasibility study Click Here.

There have been multiple commission votes related to this project that have already been taken in order to approve the feasibility and site selection studies, initiate a property purchase option and approve three option extensions, hire an engineering firm and perform preliminary site work and environmental testing. Yet there is still, unfortunately, no guarantee that this project will be approved. I have labored to bring this project to fruition under the assumption that all of the preliminary support received would continue in order to complete the project. An issue that has not been resolved, however, is the funding mechanism to pay for the Phase I soccer fields and related infrastructure which is projected to cost $20.7 million.

I am proposing to the commission that a portion of the county's annual existing lodging tax revenues be bonded to service the debt payment on a 20-year to 30-year amortized loan. Click Here to view my lodging tax debt service proposal. The purpose of the county lodging tax, approved in 2001, was to stimulate tourism and convention business. My proposal does not raise taxes or reduce funding to any of the events and attractions that currently receive county lodging tax funds. It is imperative that a funding mechanism to proceed with Phase I be approved at the same time the county approves purchase of the property. We cannot tie up county funds in a property purchase without plans to proceed with the project development. If we purchase the property and do not proceed with project development, we must repay $1.5 million to the City of Mobile.

Warmest Regards,