Alderman Jack Coatar, 7th Ward, said a smaller expansion of the Port Authority boundaries might assuage some concern.

“I think if it was narrow in scope and just included basically land from the river to the stadium site, I don’t think that would cause much consternation with my colleagues,” he said.

Another question is the future upkeep of the stadium. While half of the ticket tax would be set aside for future needs, some aldermen questioned whether that was enough. Others recalled the hefty public tab in 2017 to renovate the St. Louis Blues’ Enterprise Center and the ongoing expense of the Dome at America’s Center following the NFL’s departure.

“In my mind, that’s where the issues might come in,” said 6th Ward Alderman Christine Ingrassia, who represents the area where the stadium is proposed. “I’m confident that the owners’ heart is in the right place, I just like to have things in writing in terms of protecting the city’s finances both in the short and long term.”