The growth of soccer in the Triangle Area continues. At a press conference in downtown Raleigh Wednesday that included Major League Soccer President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott, North Carolina Football Club announced it has asked the State of North Carolina to start to negotiations for a public-private partnership to build a mixed use community in downtown Raleigh, including an entertainment, sports and athletics venue. This venue would the the stadium for an MLS team should the Triangle’s expansion bid prove successful.

“This is another important step in our pursuit of a Major League Soccer Franchise,” NCFC owner Steve Malik said at the press conference. “Our vision is to make this facility a crown jewel for downtown Raleigh, providing a world-class sporting and social experience for fans and the community. We are ready to engage all of the relevant constituents, including our community members, legislators, city, county and state officials, to address questions and concerns and bring this vision to life.”

The 13-acre proposed project would be in the State Government Complex, surrounded by Peace Street, Salisbury Street, Lane Street and the CSX Rail easement. NCFC would partner with Kane Realty on the project, and the designs for it were done by Gensler, a well-known design firm.

The project would provide the State with $2.8 billion in revenue, along with creating nearly 2,000 jobs. This is the latest step in Malik and NCFC’s bid to land an MLS expansion team. In January, NFCF, along with 12 other markets submitted bids to the MLS for expansion. NCFC has also brought a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, the NC Courage to Raleigh, and partnered with many youth soccer organizations in an attempt to grow local soccer in the area.