Modesto City Council punts decision on pro soccer stadium location
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Modesto City Council delayed final stadium site decision for further review.
- Detailed financial and architectural data presented for downtown, west sites.
- Third hybrid proposal splits USL functions between both potential locations.
Modesto City Council members unanimously voted Wednesday afternoon to postpone a final decision on a location for a United Soccer League stadium until they can digest information provided at a lengthy workshop.
After a presentation of more than five hours, covering the engineering, community, financial and civic complexities that would go into both the west Modesto and downtown proposals, the council needed more time to think it all through.
In March, the City Council held its first workshop on the topic. The presentation given was the most detailed information made to the public about the topic since the city sent a letter of intent last year.
The council had the option to decide during the March workshop where a stadium would be built. However, it opted to delay the decision until this month to allow for more time and data. In March, the council did whittle its choices down to having the stadium built either downtown or in west Modesto. The council also had the option Wednesday to decide on which site to build.
However, Councilmember Nick Bavaro made a motion to delay the decision at least a month and asked for more financial information about having both sites used: a stadium downtown and a mixed-use complex in west Modesto. Included in the new information he requested would be a financial impact report on using both the west Modesto and downtown locations to house USL team operations.
“We need to look at all of the data and see the financial impacts. This is a huge decision that’s going to impact generations to come, and we need to do it right,” Bavaro told The Bee after Wednesday’s workshop. “We need to be correct on this.”
The council was presented Wednesday with detailed financial reports for both sites that included city cost comparisons, potential tax incomes, direct spending estimates, increased earnings and employment, 20-year financial estimates, potential developer obligations and financing options. But it was a lot to take in.
Councilmember Chris Ricci echoed Bavaro by saying they received a lot of good information from the presentation, but he wants a bit more and have it be a little more specific. Ricci said collaboration between the different parties involved — representatives from Gallo Center for the Arts and the DoubleTree hotel attended Wednesday — is emerging and Modesto deserves that everything be taken into consideration before a major decision is made.
“I think that USL is a huge opportunity for Modesto, and I am bullish on the opportunity,” said Ricci. “I just want to make sure that we do it in a responsible way.”
The presentation given Wednesday also included detailed architectural concepts of layouts at both locations. About seven configurations were presented.
During the workshop, Peter Sorckoff, founder of Seer World, the consulting firm hired by the city of Modesto, outlined proposed developments for each location. West Modesto information included options with and without John Thurman Field.
Ricci quickly shot down the idea of getting rid of John Thurman Field, saying tearing down the baseball stadium was a nonstarter. “I appreciate the fact that you’re putting all the options up there, but I think we need to say the quiet part out loud,” he said.
Each development proposal outlined where the general stadium would be, along with stadium support, housing, mixed-use residential space, parking garages, retail, training centers equipped with practice fields and office space for USL and team operations.
One option has USL components at both sites
Also introduced was a third proposed development, labeled “E,” which put portions of USL operations at each site. Game operations would be downtown with a soccer pitch and other game-day necessities. West Modesto would be home to a training center, new single-family homes, retail, a parking garage, mixed-use residential and additional housing (referred to as row housing).
Bavaro showed interest and said he is hoping for more information on proposed development E.
City Manager Joe Lopez suggested the city hold another workshop in about a month to further deliberate its options. It’s unclear if the council will make a decision then, but it is somewhat racing the clock because the city’s letter of intent expires in September.
Councilmember Jeremiah Williams recused himself from Wednesday’s workshop because he owns a business downtown. Williams said he would likely not participate in any future discussions or votes regarding the proposed soccer stadium.
This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM.
