Councilman Bob Beers has, for quite some time, opposed the use of public money for the proposed 0 million Symphony Park soccer stadium. He was hoping a June 2 ballot would have a question to see whether or not voters were in favor of, or against the use of public money for the building of the stadium.
The controversial project was narrowly approved last month, leading Beers to suggest the public should have the final vote, due to just how close the final numbers were. However, Las Vegas leaders killed the notion of a question on the ballot.
It would appear Beers anticipated the result, as he was quick to start a petition drive with the hopes of bringing the issue straight to voters without the approval of City Council. Beers, alongside fellow stadium opponents Stavros Anthony and Lois Tarkanian, lobbyist Lisa Mayo-DeRiso, and former City Council candidate Suzette Lagrange have formed the Parks Protection Committee.
The petition, which requires 2,306 signatures over the next two weeks to get on the ballot, includes language which asks voters to stop the city from “giving, lending, or investing” any of its revenue or assets to the proposed soccer stadium. Beers doesn’t think the petition will take long at all to receive the necessary signatures. “Some signature campaigns just drive themselves,” Beers said. He added, “it’s as closely divided as [this council] has been on anything… So it makes sense to me to let the people vote.”
City staff was hoping the project could get underway as soon as possible, but may have the brakes applied if this petition passes. Major League Soccer needs to find a home for its newest expansion franchise. The three cities currently in the running are Las Vegas, Sacramento, and Minneapolis. A further delay in the stadium construction could spell disaster for the city’s hopes of a professional soccer team.
Councilman Bob Coffin, regarding the affidavit, said, “it puts a cloud over the many votes that we’ve taken.” He added, “if I was Minneapolis or Sacramento, I’d be jumping up and down right now.” Coffin expressed disappointment, saying council decisions should only go to a public vote in “the gravest of circumstances,” like a tax increase.
Updated blueprints for the stadium, set to hold 24,000 seats, includes a state-of-the-art shade structure in addition to a $25 million city-funded parking garage. Mayor Carolyn Goodman, referred to the stadium as a key component in turning Las Vegas into a “premier city”. She estimates the project will bring in hundreds of jobs and millions in future tourism tax dollars to the revitalized downtown area.
