What's Happening in Concord, CA…

Mark Hall, a developer based in Walnut Creek, would like to build a soccer stadium in Concord, and recently proposed to idea to city council members.

Hall recently bought an expansion franchise in the United Soccer League and the team would make the proposed stadium its home. Hall's proposal also includes a hotel and convention center, all of which would be built on a downtown parcel of land near Concord's BART station and the police station, and which has been vacant for a long time.

Hall's proposed stadium would seat 18,000, which he admits might be thought of as ‘overreach’. However, he pointed out that the Sacramento USL franchise plays at the Cal Expo stadium which seats 11,500, and usually sells out. He says the sport is growing in popularity throughout the area, and he doesn't want to build a smaller stadium, only to find the crowds have outgrown in it 12-14 years.

The council members had varied reactions to Hall's ideas. Some were in favor of the project, saying it would create jobs, as well as bringing visitors to the city who would help boost the economy. Others were either cautious or voted ‘no’ outright. The council decided to explore the issue further, but could still go either way on final approval of the project.

Issues like this have a wide impact, so officials could work with a flyer printing company to create an update letter for residents.