SC STL, the group behind the Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium construction project in St. Louis, has suspended a meeting with the state of Missouri’s finance board after its plans were heavily criticised by Governor-elect Eric Grietens.
This week, Grietens hit out at the $200m (€191.4/£161.9m) proposed project and the group’s plans to use public funds to help finance the stadium. Grietens is to become Governor next month.
SC STL had scheduled a meeting with the state’s finance board for Tuesday, but postponed in the wake of the comments, with the group’s chairman Paul Edgerley now hoping to meet with Grietens to discuss his concerns.
“While we were disappointed in the statement yesterday by Governor-elect Greitens, we respect that he and others may differ from our view,” Edgerley said, according to a statement. “We continue to believe in the substantial economic and other benefits of this project to the State and to the City of St. Louis.
In response, speaking in a statement issued to the Associated Press news agency, Grietens said the decision to postpone the meeting is “great news for Missouri taxpayers”.
Grietens added: “I'm opposed to taxpayer funding for the soccer stadium, something I view as welfare for millionaires. I'm looking forward to meeting with the ownership group to discuss a plan to bring private investment and jobs to Missouri.”
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