Coleman, McGuire To Announce Major League Soccer Stadium In St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Major League Soccer is coming to St. Paul.

A source tells WCCO that Minnesota United has chosen St. Paul over Minneapolis and will hold a press conference Friday with mayor Chris Coleman to announce a deal to build a 100 percent privately funded stadium at the former "bus barn" site at I-94 and Snelling.

The source said to expect the team to affirm its commitment to St. Paul, ending negotiations with Minneapolis, which had also been in the running for the stadium but had opposed the property tax breaks the team has been seeking.

While the $120 million stadium will be privately financed, Minnesota United has been seeking legislative support for it to be exempt from property taxes. The publicly-owned site, which now sits unused, is currently exempt from property taxes. The state legislature cannot approve tax exempt status for the stadium until it returns to session next year.

The plan, first reported by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, has the backing of the mayor's office and the metropolitan council.