Minnesota United FC supporters are still at least a couple of years away from seeing their club compete in its own stadium in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, but the team's fans are already scoping out the area.
In fact, a few are doing much more than just checking the place out – they’re moving in.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press spoke with several Minnesota fans who were drawn to live in Midway at least in part by the proposed 20,000 seat stadium United plans on building in the neighborhood. One of them, Matt Privratsky, will close on a home in the area with his wife later this week.
“I try to hold back my excitement about being close to the stadium from my wife, but it’s going to be pretty crazy to be able to walk there,” he said.
Minnesota United FC owner Dr. Bill McGuire and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman unveiled renderings of the proposed stadium in February. United, who were awarded an MLS franchise last March, will privately finance the $150 million building, with ownership transferring to the city upon its completion.
While fans are already moving in to Midway in anticipation of the new stadium, though, the deal for the building isn’t quite done yet.
As detailed in the Pioneer Press, United and St. Paul have requested a pair of proposed exemptions that easily made it through the Minnesota Senate’s tax committee on March 31; official adoption could come as soon as May.
United hopes to break ground on the stadium in June, with a goal of opening the building in time for the 2018 MLS season. The exact date for when Minnesota, which currently plays in the NASL, will join MLS has not yet been announced.
