The City of Macomb and the Macomb Area Economic Development Corp.
(MAEDCO) will host a community update, which will be open to the public, from 5:307 p.m., Thursday, March 26 at the Spoon River College Outreach Center on East Jackson, almost directly across from the proposed Sports Complex property.
Macomb Mayor Mike Inman, MAEDCO CEO Kim Pierce and City of Macomb administrators, and possibly representatives from Sports Facilities Company, will be on hand to answer questions. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the discussion and question- and-answer session to begin at 6 p.m.
'This is a great opportunity to bring the community up-to-date on the city's economic development project, which is anchored by the sports complex, as well as to discuss the project's opportunities and potential. We want to provide residents more information that the city is doing its due diligence as we move through this process,' Inman said. 'I encourage, and welcome, Macomb residents to attend to ask questions and learn more.'
As previously reported by The Community News Brief, a 30-acre site at the intersection of East Jackson Street and Bower Road was selected for Macomb's proposed Sports Complex from three previously identified sites. At Macomb City Council meeting last night, aldermen considered the purchase of the property at East Jackson and Bower Road for $2 million from Jackson, LLC of Peoria.
The purchase agreement allows the city an extended period of due diligence up to Aug.
31, 2027. There will be no cost to the city if the complex does not proceed. An in-depth council story will appear in Friday's issue of The Community News Brief.
The City of Macomb is intending to apply for the state's Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond program, which is the driving force behind the ability to fund the city's proposed sports complex. Communities that plan to pursue the competitive state grant must file via email by June 1 an intent to pursue a STAR Bond. The intent to pursue does not obligate the city, Inman explained.
While the city intends to file its intent to pursue June 1, the bigger piece of the puzzle remains and that is a private developer must be in place before the city can begin the nearly year-long application process, which begins January 2027. However, Inman is optimistic they'll have a developer in place before the application deadline.
The city should also know who their competitors are by the middle of June as the notice of intent will be a matter of public record. There is only one bond available for this geographic region, but Inman believes that Macomb will be a 'strong contender.'
Applications are due in January 2028 and are set to be awarded in mid-2028. As part of the application process, the city must hold public hearings and complete an independent cost-analysis by a DCEO-approved firm.
The startup costs to build Macomb's sports complex is $58.4 million. The city, which does undertake the cost of building the facility, would own the complex, but it would be managed by a third party, likely Sports Facilities Company (SFC). The concept is that the sports complex will be an anchor for a much larger retail and commercial development, known as ancillary development, located near the facility, Inman said.
According to the study completed last year by SFC, the complex could bring visitors from four-plus hours to Macomb for sporting and other events held at the sports complex. Once here, the study noted that guests would stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and shop at local stores.
The Sports Facilities Advisory recommended building an 8.18-acre complex in Macomb that will contain eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, seating for 4,000 and a parking lot to accommodate 434 vehicles. SFC estimates the facility could host 20-30 tournaments and events in year one, and approximately 40 tournaments and events by year five, along with other special performances, private party rentals and family- related events. The facility will also have a 'family entertainment center' that could include such features as an arcade, a climbing wall and other opportunities to provide entertainment options year-round. In a recent development, the City of Macomb is also reviewing the possibility of relocating a new outdoor city-run swimming pool in the business development district, adjacent to, or near, the proposed complex.
In addition to the March 26 open forum, the City of Macomb has a feedback form, along with presentation-related information, at cityofmacomb.com/cityofmacombproposedsportsfacility.
