Decision on soccer stadium may come soon

Under a CDA, other taxing entities can opt into the CDA. But Jordan School District officials have already made it clear that they do not want to forgo their cut of property tax dollars for the multimillion-dollar stadium. As for the rest of the taxing entities, most are small, such as the sewer and abatement district, and Dolan said he is sure they will opt in.

Another issue up for debate is that county leaders don't know if they can trust Real's numbers. The team gave the county its business model in December, complete with attendance projections and ticket-sale revenue. Some county leaders believe the predictions are a bit too rosy.

Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts admits the team's projections are ambitious, but says he can achieve them.

The county hired a financial consultant to do an independent analysis of Real's business plan. A report from Economics Research Associates is due back Thursday. ERA will likely adjust some of the projections Real made, said Doug Willmore, the county's chief administrative officer.

ERA is expected to present its findings to the Debt Review Committee next Friday.

Another hurdle to the stadium deal is possible environmental contamination on the site. District Attorney Lohra Miller said a portion of the 136-acre site could be polluted by petroleum and debris. Solving that potential problem must be addressed before the county can commit $30 million to the project, she said.

According to a press release Thursday from Real's lawyer, several environmental studies have been completed and prove that "the site is safe."

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com, astowell@desnews.com