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Building a huge sports complex in a busy city must be all the rage these days.
While the Philadelphia 76ers are moving forward with a $1.3 billion proposal to build a stadium in Center City, 44 miles from downtown Coatesville, a different developer is working on a similar $50 million project. .
IDG Development LLC intends to build a multi-purpose sports and events complex called the National Sports and Events Center (NSEC) on 26.3 acres of commercial property on West Lincoln Highway. The area was formerly known as the Flats.
“All of these amenities and their diverse uses will be a great asset to the city of Coatesville,” said City Manager James Logan.
Home to more than 13,000 people and the oldest steel mill in operation in the United States, Coatesville was once a thriving industrial town. However, changes in the steel industry in the mid-1900s led to a 60-year population decline and economic collapse.
Well, it looks like things are starting to change in Coatesville.
There are currently 34 active development projects in Coatesville, including the highly anticipated Coatesville train station scheduled to open in 2025.
Elected officials and leaders of Chester County’s only city have called this recent era of growth a time of improvement and innovation. Many see the construction of the National Sports and Events Center as a way to put Coatesville back on the map.
“We’re behind the times and we’re finally starting to step out of the shadow of other communities that have come through – communities like West Chester, Malvern, Paoli, Manayunk and parts of Philly, Phoenixville. So I think we’re starting to see our day.” in the sun and we feel good,” said Logan.
The company behind the sports center project started its plans in March 2021.
In addition to sports and event spaces, the center would have an indoor velodrome, which the company says is the “first” on the east coast. Their goal is to make track cycling a center for Olympic-level competition. Crosby Wood, project manager for IDG Development, said he believes cycling is “the secret” behind the project’s wheels.
The project also includes a supporting retail space, a sports medicine provider, and a 150-room hotel.
Besides all the sports and event aspirations, Wood said, the project will have an impact close to home.
“The Boys and Girls Association has committed to bring a club house to a 15,000 square meter facility. That’s an important part as we look to bring the next generation of Coatesville and Chester County residents to the facility so they can be exposed to all the different jobs throughout the facility,” Wood said.
The Coatesville City Council passed a resolution in April 2021 by a 6-1 vote approving the sale of the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority property to the company.
Nydea Graves is the first member of the council and is the only vote against the plan. Citing his family’s more than 100-year history in Coatesville, Graves said the main motivation behind his “no” vote is his desire to make Coatesville a thriving community “for people who already have in the community.”
“We deserve to have parks and sports centers where we don’t think about who can come in, who we bring in, but really what the community already is, and we How can I meet their needs,” he said. .
Graves said that while he supports the city’s redevelopment efforts, he believes the National Sports and Events Center is a “fun project.”
“To me, I think it’s one of the biggest steps to bring into the air, quote, ‘more desirable members of the community,’ and then, to bring out the members of the community who have been – they are there – gave Coatesville its beauty and culture,” Mabitla said.
He wants the focus to be on rent control and raising wages in the city, so people can continue to live in Coatesville.
Logan said he doesn’t want Coatesville residents to be in a situation where they are “being bought off the market.”
“We’re not going to just rest, because we’re seeing some improvement. We have to be very vigilant to make sure we’re balancing things,” said Logan.
Recently, state lawmakers have worked to get more money for the contract. On July 19, the Commonwealth Finance Council approved $3.6 million in federal grants and a $5.4 million loan. The money came through the Pennsylvania Department of Community Business and Economic Development’s Our Places Program and will go toward site preparation, construction, and administrative costs, among others.
In a joint statement announcing the funding, Sen. Carolyn Comitta and Rep. Dan Williams praised the project for bringing job opportunities and investment to the town of Coatesville.
“The Flats area has been eyed for development for years. It is an ideal location to build on the city’s steel heritage with an economic boost that will attract visitors and bring new opportunities to the city’s residents,” Comitta said.
The developers believe that their concept provides more stability than previously planned projects. The IDG development estimates the National Sports and Events Center will bring more than 300 jobs to Coatesville and more than $20 million after the third year of operation.
“This is why we created NSEC – to create a project that will be funded by the region, but will benefit the community through economic impact and job creation. So that’s what we really did. And I can the reason we feel that we get all the political support, because of all the residual value that goes with this kind of project,” said Wood.
Currently, developers are focusing on planning and financing as well as conducting traffic studies before finalizing the project plan.
“It’s going to change this area and put Coatesville on the map — in the world,” Wood said.
IDG Development plans to start construction by the end of 2023. The goal is to cut the ribbon on the National Sports and Events Center by the end of 2024.
