Blues new stadium and Sports Quarter project has received a major boost.
Formal recognition of the government’s commitment to support their transformative plans in East Birmingham with a £400m boost is forthcoming.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) plans to ring-fence the cash at its meeting next week as the first part of a tranche of public money aimed at helping to deliver the £2.5 billion – £3 billion development.
The latest report being considered by the WMCA board confirms the promise made by chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, to Blues owners, Knighthead Capital, that money would be forthcoming from central government coffers to support their ambitions.
The Sports Quarter development forms a key part of a Major Investment Prospectus, launched at a Regional Investment Submit, hosted in Birmingham last month.
These funds were part of a larger chunk of cash aimed at delivering overall transport infrastructure improvements and the decision has been taken to support Blues in their bid to transform the 125-acre site, based around the old Birmingham Wheels grounds.
This is an important part of the process. The WMCA don’t have to hand any money over. But they would be taking leave of their senses if they went against the government-backed proposals.
Details regarding the new 62,000 all-seater stadium at the heart of the project are due for release on November 20 during a glittering event in Birmingham.
But the £400m will aid the vital infrastructure necessary to transport people to and from the venue and open up a route through East Birmingham to North Solihull, in what is a major step towards getting cracking with the project.
It has been allocated to the first phase of the above tram system. The money will also be used to upgrade nearby Adderley Park railway station.
The latter is seen as being vital to ferry spectators to and from the new stadium as part of a larger infrastructure play.
Blues owner Tom Wagner last month named architects – British designers Heatherwick Studio as well as American company MANICA – to come together with the design, with boyhoo supporter Steven Knight – a film writer and director – also assisting with the vision.
There is a plan for the new stadium to be up and running for the year 2030, in what is an ambitious timescale for Blues American owners, with NFL legend Tom Brady being one of the figureheads that is spearheading the movement for it to become a hub for the Midlands city’s sport.
Blues also set to sell the naming rights to the new stadium to the highest bidder, which was confirmed by Wagner last month, meaning the Knighthead brand may not actually be emblazoned on the future stadium when it’s all said and done.
