New stadium is ‘incredible moment’ for city – Parker
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker says Birmingham City’s sports quarter development is a “blueprint” for private and public sector collaboration, after the club released initial concept designs for their new stadium yesterday.
The sport-led regeneration scheme, centred around a former kart racing track at Bordesley Green, could bring in an estimated £2bn in private investment into the city, according to Birmingham City owners Knighthead Capital.
Before spades have even hit the ground on the project, a new tram link connecting the site with the city centre was announced earlier this year, a move Parker says would “unlock” the sports quarter scheme as part of wider growth plans for the region.
In response to yesterday’s unveiling by Birmingham City FC, he said the stadium build would be an “incredible moment for Blues fans – and our Birmingham as a whole.”
“If you’re looking for a blueprint for how the public and private sectors can come together to significantly improve a community’s quality of life, look no further. This is it,” he said.
“This is yet another bold statement of intent from Tom Wagner and Knighthead as they transform not only this proud club, but also the community that it’s stood at the heart of for 120 years.
“New jobs, new homes and new hope are coming, and I’m stepping up with funding for a public transport network that will match the club’s ambitions and open up more opportunity for the people of Small Heath and East Birmingham.”
A planning application for the stadium is expected to land with Birmingham City Council in 2026.
