Maryland requests study of potential MLS Next Pro stadium sites in Baltimore

The Maryland Department of Commerce recently requested the Maryland Stadium Authority to study two city-owned sites in Baltimore -- Carroll Park and Swann Park -- for a “potential stadium that would hold between 7,500 and 10,000 spectators and host an MLS Next Pro team” that would feed into D.C. United, and possibly a “top-flight women’s pro club,” according to Hayes Gardner of the BALTIMORE SUN. There is "no guarantee" that this study will result in a soccer stadium or a pro team, but it “demonstrates interest, in the form of dollars, from relevant parties.” The study -- which will "take about a year" -- costs $450,000, with D.C. United paying half, the Department of Commerce paying $100,000, the city of Baltimore paying $100,000 and the stadium authority chipping in $25,000. The result will be a report that stakeholders can use to decide if they will invest in a stadium. But “much remains unknown” -- including when a potential stadium would be built, who would pay for it and how many millions of dollars it would cost. But the new report would identify a cost estimate for each site and follow up on a December report that provided the Stadium Authority with an analysis of potential site locations, with a "more comprehensive survey of the two sites identified" as top locations. The scope of the study will include site analysis, due diligence, conceptual design and budget and a look into “potential environmental, historic or archaeological challenges with the sites.” This report would “likely be the last before stakeholders either move forward with building a stadium -- or don’t” ( BALTIMORE SUN, 3/5 ).