Developers want to turn the former St. Louis Mills Mall into a huge sports complex called the PowerPlex
HAZELWOOD, MO. – In 2018 there was a big announcement that the mostly vacant St. Louis Outlet Mall (formerly St. Louis Mills) would be converted into the POWERplex.
The vision of the developers at the time was to build a sports complex worth 63 million US dollars that would host more than 180 major sports tournaments and special events annually. The public-private partnership would include six major sports venues, 13 restaurants, hotels and more than a dozen sports-oriented retail stores.
The aim was that many sports facilities should be ready by autumn 2020. But then there was a global pandemic. The latest version of the group behind the POWERplex states that the closure and construction are on the right track this year.
The project was financed by US $ 6 million in tax revenues from St. Louis County. On Tuesday evening, the county council is due to vote on whether millions from the Congress and Recreation Fund should be made available for the POWERplex project.
The POWERplex developer said the $ 6 million St. Louis County hotel tax accounted for only 10% of the project cost, but that this is vital to the overall financing package.
The county council was due to vote on the funding at last week’s meeting, but the POWERplex group said it was submitted because two council members wanted more time to consider the feasibility of the project.
“Now the developers, the City of Hazelwood, and six other key funding sources are ready to move the project forward this spring. However, two county council members are now trying to derail the project and retrace the county’s previous commitment.” POWERplex Group said in a press release.
Councilor Lisa Clancy sent the following statement to 5 On Your Side:
“After last week’s meeting that I am still reviewing, several requests were made, including information on the hotel / motel sales tax fund balance and additional data on the profitability of the project. There is no doubt an incredible vision here. But it is us We owe it to the residents of the county to make sure the project is economically sustainable before we make such a substantial investment. “
The St. Louis County Council meeting on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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