COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Wednesday, we learned more about Columbus’ plan to entice the Crew SC to stay in Columbus.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther released a letter detailing what the city proposed to the MLS and team owner Anthony Precourt at a meeting earlier this month.
“All we can do is hope for the best,” said Crew fan Liz Towery.
“To hear that they were thinking about moving, it was kind of a heartbreaker,” said fan Rachel Towery.
“We have so much momentum. Why leave now, why now?” said fan Andrew Herrmann.
In the letter from Mayor Ginther and President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, Alex Fischer, the city is proposing three locations for a potential new stadium; Berliner Park, south of downtown. TheDodge Recreation Center near Franklinton and building what it calls a world-class soccer stadium at the existing site.
Fans like Rachel Towery said it’s hard to stay optimistic.
“I have high hopes. I want them to stay here, but from what I’ve heard I don’t think it’s going to happen,” she said.
The letter comes after what Ginther and Fischer called a disappointing and frustrating meeting with the MLS and Precourt earlier this month.
The letter said Columbus stands, “ready, willing and able to make the city a successful venue for the Crew SC.” It goes on to say it can’t do anything if it continues to be pitted against another city.
The letter also proposes several privately owned spaces downtown for a new stadium.
Ginther’s full statement:
Successful community investments are done through partnerships. Smart Columbus, Scioto Greenways, Columbus Commons, the Reeb Center, American Museum on Natural History and the National Veterans Memorial Museum are all examples of public and private entity’s ability to collaborate.
The Columbus Crew SC could be another such success. The business community, loyal fan base and public institutions stand ready to begin turning this partnership into a reality.
Today, Alex Fischer, President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, and I sent a letter to MLS and owner Anthony Precourt, recapping our discussion in New York.
Imagine a bustling “stadium central” Downtown, with three professional sports arenas right in the heart of the city. Or envision a riverfront stadium on the Southwest Side, with ample park land to develop. Or what if we started fresh where the stadium is now, with a new state-of-the-art stadium adjacent to a destination entertainment district? And picture if the Crew was partly owned by the fans – the lifeblood of the team’s support.
But partnerships are a two-way street. We need a commitment from the Crew owner and MLS to keep the team in Columbus. We need to be able to operate in a good-faith environment – not compete with another city for the financial gain of the owner.
I believe in the Columbus Crew SC – and I believe they belong right here, in the capital of Ohio.
I believe there is a collaborative solution that works for everyone involved.
I believe professional soccer has a strong future in Columbus.
I believe. Do you?
