Pennsylvania state government officials today pledged to commit $47 million toward the economic development of Chester, PA which includes a soccer-specific stadium for a potential Major League Soccer expansion team. Following today's announcement, MLS Don Garber issued the following statement regarding League expansion:
"Governor Rendell's announcement today is another very positive development toward bringing Major League Soccer to the Philadelphia area," said Garber. "The Philadelphia market just took a big step forward and is now well positioned to receive an MLS expansion team. The opportunity to be part of a large-scale urban-renewal project along the historic Chester waterfront remains extremely appealing to us. We are eager to continue our conversations with the potential ownership group to finalize an agreement and we will provide more details shortly."
The proposed soccer-specific stadium in Chester would be located next to the Commodore Barry Bridge, just 13 miles from downtown Philadelphia and city limits and easily accessible from Interstate 95 and public transportation via the R2 SEPTA train and SEPTA buses. In addition to a minimum of $80 million from private investors, the funding for the 20,000-seat stadium would include the state's pledge of $47 million and $30 million from a partnership between the city of Chester and Delaware County. Private investment in the total development in Chester is more than $400 million.
