Corroon Refuses to Sign Stadium Agreement with ReAL

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is refusing to sign any document that will give his blessing to the ReAL soccer stadium in Sandy:

"You know, I wasn't going to agree to something that I'd already said 'no' to in the past," says Corroon.

Investors in the ReAL stadium wanted a signature from Corroon assuring Salt Lake County would continue to collect hotel taxes destined for the stadium. Corroon says the county will keep collecting the tax, but he has too many concerns about how that money will be spent to sign his name to it. Corroon says he doubts the parking lot and land for the stadium cost enough to merit 35-million tax dollars. He suspects some of that money will be spent on other parts of the development, like a hotel or broadcast studio. However, the Utah Legislature essentially circumvented Salt Lake County government to fund the stadium, so Corroon says he's staying out of it:

"I just don't feel it's necessary for Salt Lake County to be involved in an agreement with ReAL, Sandy and the State on how the money's going to be spent, because again we already said we don't support that," says Corroon.

A spokesperson for the Governor's office says the deal can move forward without a signature from Corroon. She says the law is vague on exactly how the money can be used at the stadium complex. It's now up to Sandy City officials to negotiate the details.

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