The Columbus Crew, the Major League Soccer team with hopes of moving to Austin, has released new artist renderings of its proposed stadium by the Domain.
The drawings were done by Gensler, an international architecture firm that has several projects in Austin, including the Fairmont Hotel. The firm also has stadium projects, including the new Los Angeles Football Club soccer stadium and the Dallas Cowboys’ expansive headquarters and training facility in Frisco.
Jonathan Emmett, Gensler’s sports division design director, said in a statement that the 20,000-seat stadium will draw "heavily on the incredibly diverse and vibrant local culture, to create a uniquely 'Austin' experience for MLS fans."
He added that the design will offer a mix of shade and air circulation for fans. The MLS season runs from March to October.
If MLS allows the Columbus Crew to move from Ohio to Austin, the team’s owner, Precourt Sports Ventures, would build the stadium on 24 acres of city-owned land at McKalla Place. The project would include a separate outdoor music venue, 1,000 parking spots and a possible MetroRail train stop.
The team's ownership has stated it hopes the city will commit to a deal before the end of June. Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he supports an MLS team here, but hasn’t seen the final findings from city staff on the McKalla Place site.
“As I’ve heard, the deal points that are being proposed, relative to other cities that are getting Major League Soccer teams or have them, are much more favorable to the community than what you see normally,” he told KUT on Monday.
There are two City Council meetings next month.
If a stadium is built, it would not likely be ready until the 2021 season. The deadline is approaching for the team to begin making logistical plans for next season – whether it plays in Ohio or Austin.
Watch a promotional video for Los Angeles FC's new stadium:
