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University of South Alabama Stadium Vote Could be Tied to Ladd-Peebles Stadium Measure

University of South Alabama Stadium Rendering

The Mobile City Council might vote next week on a letter of intent to fund a new University of South Alabama stadium, but it could be tied to a measure on Ladd-Peebles Stadium

The University of South Alabama has been pitching a plan for a new on-campus facility that would replace Ladd-Peebles Stadium as the home of its football program. Mobile has been asked to help contribute to the project, with the city providing $10 million to the university over 20 years to help cover its debt. In exchange, the university would provide $2.5 million lump sum–after the new stadium opens–to the city to address the future of Ladd-Peebles Stadium, while allowing the Senior Bowl, Dollar General Bowl, and Gulf Coast Challenge to be held at the new facility rent free.

A letter of intent to provide city funding is up for consideration by the Mobile City Council, but some officials have been concerned that the exact future of Ladd-Peebles Stadium is not entirely clear. It is possible that a vote on the letter of intent will come August 14, but it appears to be tied to a measure that spells out plans for the future of Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Councilmembers noted the measure on Monday, but said that more details could be presented on August 14 or earlier. More from AL.com:

[Councilman Fred] Richardson said there were some council members who “believe that some sort of resolution should be reached on Ladd before they vote. And it is our understanding that there is an effort toward reeling that in and giving us something definitive regarding the future of Ladd.”

“We are working on an initiative that hopefully will provide some firm and definitive answers as it relates to not only Ladd but to the impacted communities,” said [Councilman Levon] Manzie. “We’re still working toward that end and as soon as we can make some substantive process I’m going to make certain everybody is updated.”

“It’s certainly not anything I’m at liberty to discuss now,” said Manzie, steering the discussion back to the letter of intent.

Speaking after the meeting, Manzie said the purpose of the new measure was to spell out the city’s commitment to Ladd-Peebles Stadium and the neighborhoods around it. He said his goal was to present the measure to the council on Aug. 14, if not sooner. He said that in his mind, a vote on the letter of intent couldn’t happen without concurrent consideration of the new initiative.

University of South Alabama football has played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium since its launch in 2009.

Rendering courtesy University of South Alabama athletics. 

RELATED STORIES: Officials Want More Information on Ladd-Peebles Stadium’s FutureSouth Alabama Stadium Funding Proposal Closer to VoteCity, County Contributions Sought for South Alabama StadiumTrustees Approve New South Alabama Stadium ResolutionNew South Alabama Stadium “Feasible,” Says School President

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August Publications