St. Louis Voters Reject Public Financing For Soccer Stadium

St. Louis voters yesterday rejected funding for an MLS stadium but "approved a companion ballot measure imposing a half-cent sales tax increase for expanding" the MetroLink light rail system. The stadium plan, which would have provided about $60M in public funds, "lost by 3,000 votes," with 47% of voters for it and 53% opposed. Both propositions "needed to pass in order to fund the stadium." MLS Exec VP/Communications Dan Courtemanche said the defeat was “clearly a significant setback for the city's expansion opportunity and a loss for the community.” Investor Terry Matlack said, "It's unlikely St. Louis ever gets an MLS team now" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/5).