By AP/KWMU
Collinsville, Ill. – An effort by a well-known lawyer in the Metro-East to bring professional soccer to the St. Louis region is taking a big step forward.
The Collinsville City Council on Monday night voted 4-1 to negotiate an annex agreement for land on which Jeff Cooper wants to build an 18,500-seat soccer stadium, along with a housing and retail development.
City staffers believe that money to be made on the project will almost double the city's investment of $3 million a year over the next 25 years.
The vote officially begins the project negotiation between the city and attorney Jeff Cooper. Cooper hopes to have a team on the field by 2009.