Sacramento Republic FC Chairman and CEO Kevin Nagle was joined by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, local business and civic leaders, and soccer fans on Thursday for the announcement of the start of construction activities for Sacramento's new stadium at The Railyards.
Republic FC owner Kevin Nagle claimed to be confident enough Sacramento will land an MLS franchise to begin work on the stadium now. "I think it continues to give us a lead," said Nagle. "We've been the lead from the very beginning. We've demonstrated at every corner that we've been in the number one position, and I believe this further demonstrates there's going to be a separation."
"Sacramento is proving once again our indomitable spirit as a city that delivers," Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
"I'm proud to stand with Kevin Nagle, Republic FC, and our entire community as we reach this historic milestone," said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. "This achievement is meaningful not only for our MLS bid, but also for the broader redevelopment of The Railyards and our city as a whole. Sacramento is proving once again our indomitable spirit as a city that delivers."
Republic officials dubbed the Thursday event a "Ground-Making" celebration that they said launches the first of two phases in the MLS stadium construction schedule. In Phase 1, workers will complete site preparation activities, including adding and leveling additional soil onto the site to make it "pad ready" at the right elevation and specifications. Phase 1 will be completed by Spring 2018. Phase 2 will then begin in Spring 2018 with a "groundbreaking” event to launch full-scale construction activities. The current construction schedule calls for the stadium to be complete by February 2020 in time for the opening of the 2020 MLS season.
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Current plans call for a $245-million, privately-financed soccer stadium that will should seat 20,000 fans to start and later be expandable to an overall capacity to 22,000. The 406,000-square-foot facility will be situated on approximately 15 acres and situated between 8th and 10th streets, Railyards Boulevard, and North B Street. The stadium will be located one block from a Sacramento Regional Transit station, and less than a 10 minute walk from the Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento is currently one of 12 cities vying for MLS’ next four expansion teams. MLS is expected to announce its next two expansion teams by December 2017.