Judge places St. Louis soccer measures on April ballot

An HOK Image of where a new MLS stadium would be built in downtown St. Louis. Photo courtesy Missourinet.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A circuit judge has approved the city’s plans to put a measure on the April 4 ballot asking voters to approve funding for a new Major League Soccer stadium in St. Louis.

Judge Michael Mullen issued the ruling Thursday, about a week after city aldermen voted to place the issue on the April ballot.

Mullen also ordered a half-cent sales tax increase to fund MetroLink expansion be included on the same ballot.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports supporters of the proposed $200 million soccer stadium need both measures to be approved. The MetroLink sales tax increase would trigger a corresponding increase in the city’s business use tax on out-of-state purchases. Revenue from that increase would fund most of the city’s $60 million commitment to the stadium.