Alternate McKalla Place proposals line up on eve of Austin's MLS stadium vote

Developers, architects and residents are making a final push to transform a North Austin site into something other than a professional soccer stadium as the city nears another critical decision on its professional sports future.

Five different groups responded to the city’s call for alternate ideas on developing or purchasing McKalla Place, a 24-acre site south of The Domain. One group submitted two options for their proposal, bringing the total number of alternate plans to six. Only one plan would still feature a professional soccer stadium on the city-owned site.

They range from multimillion-dollar mixed-use proposals from nearby developers to a local resident’s “Keep McKalla Weird” presentation heavy on the tie-dye.

Their competition is Precourt Sports Ventures, which is trying to relocate Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC from Ohio to the Texas capital. Austin City Council is weighing the initial term sheet for a stadium deal with PSV at its Thursday meeting.

The alternate proposals were pitched at a Gracywoods Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday night and are going before Council for presentations and public comment during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon.