Proposed soccer stadium on High Street near Rupp Arena includes hotel, apartments
Lexington Pro Soccer released renderings Thursday of a proposed 6,000-seat soccer stadium, 160-room hotel and a 250-unit apartment complex on the High Street parking lot of Central Bank Center.
Lexington Pro Soccer was one of four developers to submit proposals for the High Street parking lot to the Lexington Center Corporation, which oversees Central Bank Center. The other proposals have not been released. Lexington Pro Soccer made its proposal public Friday.
A board committee reviewing the proposals will meet Feb. 18. It’s not clear if the committee will make a recommendation at that meeting.
“Our aim is to build a state-of-the-art, multi-use venue – centered around a professional soccer stadium – right in the heart of downtown Lexington,” said Bill Shively, majority owner of Lexington Pro Soccer. “The development we hope to build would be a meaningful economic driver for the city of Lexington and the surrounding region, by expanding the range of entertainment opportunities downtown Lexington has to offer its residents and visitors.”
Designed by Gensler, the 6,000 seat Lexington Pro Soccer multi-use venue and soccer stadium would feature 45,000 square feet of entertainment-focused retail with patio views overlooking both the stadium and Rupp Arena. The renderings also show a 160-room hotel, a 250-unit “upscale, multi-family residential development” and parking garages that would exceed the number of spaces the High Street lot currently has.
Lexington Pro Soccer officials declined to give more details about the proposal on Friday, saying it was premature. It’s not known how much the total complex would cost.
Gensler has designed several football stadiums including Banc of California Stadium and BMO Field in Toronto.
Gensler officials said downtown Lexington is an ideal location for a new stadium and entertainment district.
“Location can play a significant role in the overall success of a new entertainment venue,” said Ryan Sickman, Principal with Gensler. “The proposed location of the Lexington Pro Soccer stadium and entertainment complex is ideal, offering local residents easy access to the venue and contributing to the existing growth and vibrancy of the downtown area with designs for new retail, lodging, and entertainment opportunities.”
It was announced in October Lexington had been awarded a USL League One expansion franchise. The team is expected to start playing in 2023. The team has said it will initially starting playing at a college facility until a stadium is built.
The team, now known as Lexington Pro Soccer, will announce its name, crest and colors soon.
The redevelopment of the High Street parking lot has long been in the works and is part of a tax increment financing district. Net new taxes generated from the development can be used by private developers to pay off infrastructure costs, such as the cost of building parking garages.
That TIF district includes the current convention center expansion, Rupp Arena improvements, the Krikorian Theater complex, Town Branch Commons and the High Street parking lot.
