St. Louis Blues Reaches Settlement Over Scottrade Center

https://www.facebook.com/ScottradeCenter – Scottrade Center

The group that owns the St. Louis Blues NHL team has reached a settlement with St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green, ending a battle over funding renovations to the city’s Scottrade Center.

The suit centered on Green’s refusal to sign a financial agreement funding the city’s commitment to upgrade the venue, where the team plays. The agreement was narrowly approved by the St. Louis Board of Alderman in February 2017.

Green told the St. Louis Dispatch that she was concerned about issuing the $64 million in bonds because she feared that it would hurt the city’s credit rating.

Kiel Center Partners, the group that owns the Blues, filed the lawsuit against Green in August and in November Green was ordered by a judge to sign the agreement.

The settlement allows the city to offset payments using revenue outside of the general revenue fund, according to the paper.

In a statement, Green said that the settlement was a positive outcome and that it is “in the best interest of city taxpayers.

The first phase of renovations to the 21,000-capacity Scottrade Center wrapped up in September. Improvements include a new, 40-by-40-foot video cube, sound system upgrades, wheelchair lifts and restroom renovations.

The venue still booked plenty of artists in 2017, including sell-out shows by Roger Waters, Chance The Rapper, New Kids On The Block and Eric Church. Blake Shelton is slated to play at the arena Feb. 24.