opinion

Indy Eleven stadium would help entire region

Indiana House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of House Bill 1273, which would allow for the construction of a multipurpose stadium in Downtown Indianapolis to host Indy Eleven soccer games and at least 30 other events yearly.

Due to the hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers who participate in soccer clubs statewide and the 10,465 fans on average who sold-out Carroll Stadium for every game of the 2014 season, we know that interest in Indy Eleven will continue to grow the team's strong fan base.

Indy Eleven is absolutely confident in our ability to reach our projected attendance in the new multipurpose stadium. The variety of other events, many of which currently bypass Indiana because of the lack of a properly sized venue, will grow the stadium's revenue base even more so.

Users of the facility will pay for the venue's construction through tax revenue generated by stadium events, including taxes generated from sales within the facility and income taxes of players and employees. In addition, a 10-percent admissions tax on qualified events at the venue also will be applied toward financing the stadium.

Our point in saying "If you don't go, you won't pay" has not changed. What we have done is add an additional layer of financial security for taxpayers. The owner of Indy Eleven, Ersal Ozdemir, has invested in the revitalization of a historically significant building Downtown with plans to develop it into an upscale hotel. The stadium and hotel development combined would create thousands of jobs in construction and hundreds of permanent jobs once completed.

HB1273 would call upon a portion of the user fees and tax revenue paid for by hotel guests only if needed to create greater certainty for the economics of the stadium plan and for Hoosier taxpayers. This is unique from other sports venues built Downtown in that the team owner is using revenues from another investment he owns to support such a deal.

Adding the hotel development to the proposal was not a reflection of any doubt about Indy Eleven's attendance and revenue projections. KSM Consulting's feasibility study concluded the stadium revenue streams would pay for the venue's construction debt. It has been proposed that a portion of the new hotel taxes could be used only if necessary to provide greater security for the stadium's financial mechanism. The marketplace requested the added protection — and we responded.

This proposal has the support of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and numerous leaders from Indianapolis and around the state who understand why the stadium benefits all Hoosiers and not just those in Marion County.

This stadium will bring people Downtown to eat, shop, attend other attractions and use other amenities that support Downtown businesses. As an economic driver, the stadium will benefit people who never attend a game as it brings in events with regional, national and international appeal that draw tourism dollars. Having a strong Downtown is good for every Indy resident, the entire metropolitan region and the state.

We strongly encourage Hoosiers who agree to contact their state lawmaker and voice their support for the Indy Eleven multipurpose stadium proposal.

Peter Wilt, president and general manager, Indy Eleven professional soccer