4. DATEBOOK: Wizards' stadium on council agenda

• by Soccer America , Aug 23, 2006

The first step toward a solution to the Kansas City Wizards' stadium situation takes tonight when the Overland Park (Kan.) city council meets to discuss public financing for a soccer complex.

Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach calls the meeting "the beginning of the process" to seek sales tax revenue (STAR) bonds for the project.

The site for the project is on land southwest of U.S. Highway 69 and 159th Street, on about 300 acres. The complex would include a soccer stadium, soccer fields and commercial property. Another Kansas soccer project hopes to use STAR bonds. The project would include a Legoland as well as soccer fields -- but no stadium -- in Olathe.

This is expected to be the Wizards' last season at Arrowhead Stadium. The Hunt family that has owned the Wizards since the launch of MLS has said it will sell the team to over-of-town buyers if local buyers aren't found this year.