Modesto council picks downtown for proposed soccer stadium. Muni still has role
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- Modesto Council selected downtown as site for proposed USL soccer stadium.
- The stadium project includes $125M in costs, with $35M in potential public funds.
- Muni may host practice fields, youth academy and housing around both locations.
The Modesto City Council agreed that a proposed soccer stadium should be downtown, rather than at the former Municipal Golf Course.
But the 6-0 vote Tuesday, Aug. 5, did not cut Muni out entirely: It could provide the practice fields for the pros in the United Soccer League and an academy for younger players.
The stadium would be built at and near Modesto Centre Plaza on K Street. It would cost an estimated $125 million, including perhaps $35 million in public financing. The city has not announced any private investors who might cover the rest.
The tentative financing plan includes lease payments from the USL and an expected boost in sales, property and hotel taxes from the new attraction.
Separate projects could bring dense housing, shops and other uses around both the downtown and Muni sites. The initial plan shows 939 homes, 235 of them priced for lower-income people.
The men’s soccer team would be a level below the USL’s top tier, which includes Sacramento Republic FC. The women would play one or two steps down. The stadium would have up to 10,000 seats.
The vote came over objections from a few nearby property owners who might be within the ultimate boundary. The council also heard warnings that the new housing could force out low-income residents.
Councilmember Jeremiah Williams recused himself from the vote because he owns property downtown. The supporters were Mayor Sue Zwahlen and Councilmembers Eric Alvarez, Chris Ricci, David Wright, Nick Bavaro and Rosa Escutia-Braaton.
“I think combining both locations allows us to envision a dynamic, complementary, transformative development plan ...,” Escutia-Braaton said.
The project would require demolishing Centre Plaza, a city-owned convention space, and closing parts of L and 12th streets. That drew an objection from the Brighter Side, a longtime sandwich shop on 12th.
The Modesto Irrigation District is concerned that the project could impinge on its parking lot at 11th and L streets. Regulatory Analyst Dana Ferreira urged city officials to further discuss the plan with the water and power agency.
City and USL officials plan to further define the project and secure financing by February. Construction could begin the following September, with a 2028 opening.
The city and USL have been in talks since last September. They began with three possible sites: Centre Plaza, the golf course and one near D Street that was rejected in March.
Muni is 54 city-owned acres that would have no demolition cost to make way for a stadium. The city staff had eyed it for a walkable mix of homes and businesses even before the stadium talks.
Critics said west Modesto has needs other than soccer, such as banking and health care. Some urged that even more of Muni be housing.
“We’re basically living in people’s garages, living in people’s backyards,” said Ron DeLoach, chairman of the West Modesto People of Action Council.
Muni is next to John Thurman Field, which will be vacated by the Modesto Nuts at the end of the 2025 minor-league baseball season. The city is negotiating with the Pioneer League, a smaller organization.
This story was originally published August 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM.
