Plans call for MLS soccer stadium in downtown Albany

Ed and Lisa Mitzen, the founders of Business for Good, and a group of investors including Jeff Buell and Chris Spraragen on Thursday proposed bringing a Major League Soccer Next Pro franchise to a new soccer stadium, which would anchor plans for downtown redevelopment at Liberty Park.

“The MLS NEXT Pro project will serve as a catalyst for the reinvention of Albany and will be a large part of our efforts to meaningfully invest in the community. That’s all Albany needs,” Ed Mitzen said.

Renderings for the project were released Thursday and included a proposed redevelopment of Liberty Park, located at the corner of Hudson Avenue and Liberty Street in Albany, planners said.

The group will seek permission from Capitalize Albany to redevelop the park’s parking lots. In addition to use of the land, the group will seek support from New York State to finance the development, which is expected to cost up to $300 million.

The stadium would hold 8,000 seats and could reach 12,000 seats for non-sporting events, the developers said.

“We are focused on bringing an MLS NEXT Pro team to Albany,” said Charles Altchek, President of MLS NEXT Pro and Executive Vice President of MLS. “We hope the state and affiliated organizations will work to support the new development and stadium and surrounding community infrastructure. The Mitzens are the ideal local leaders to lead this transformative project.

“More than money and jobs, Albany needs a moral boost,” Mitzen said. “The new MLS team could reinvigorate the renaissance of the entire region and bring back a sense of enthusiasm and pride that the region desperately needed.”

Early reviews have been positive, with Congresswoman Pat Fahy calling the proposed plans an exciting new opportunity not only for Albany, but the entire Capital Region.

⚽️ Full statement below on the news that #Albania could receive a regional award @MLSNEXTPRO Team and new stadium located in the downtown Parking Lot District.

It is the result of a collaboration between @MLS, @MaireSheehanand many others.

The Capital Region is ready for kick-off! pic.twitter.com/0kwygvIYIS

– Assembly Member Patricia Fahy (@PatriciaFahy109) May 9, 2024

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan called it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the city that would bring housing and jobs, as well as economic activity to downtown.

“We cannot pass up this opportunity and I will do everything in my power to help make this a reality,” she said in a statement.