Season › 2018-19 › News
Anderson remains optimistic over funding deal for docks stadium
Liverpool Mayor, Joe Anderson, says that he has not given up on the prospect of arranging a funding mechanism between the city and Everton for the proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Anderson unveiled a proposal last November whereby Liverpool City Council could borrow £280m of the estimated £500m cost of the Blues' new ground at low interest rates from the Public Works Loan Board and loan the funds in a securitised deal to Everton at a fixed rate over 25 years.
That was seen by both parties as a simple way for the club to find more than half the funds needed for the project while also benefitting the city to the tune of £8.5m a year when business rates are added to the equation.
Political divisions and fear-mongering mean that the plan has not received the recognition the Mayor believes it should and there were suggestions made in the media yesterday, following the announcement of The People's Project public consultation in the Bramley-Moore Dock scheme, that Everton were now looking to fund the stadium entirely through private investment and sponsorship deals.
Anderson says that he has not received any indication from the Royal Liver Building, where Everton's team directing the stadium project is headquartered, that the club have gone cold on the idea of using the council as a loan vehicle.
“I have a great dialogue with the club and I haven't been informed that they are not seeking to have an arrangement with the city, where we take a partnership arrangement in loaning the club some money for the development,” the Mayor said in an extended interview with journalists Greg O'Keeffe and Tony Scott for the All Together Now podcast.
“It's speculation. I remain committed to having an arrangement with the club that benefits Liverpool and the people of Liverpool.
“So, I won't say it's ruled out and it would generate a great deal of income for the City that we desperately need. We are virtually in a place where we could do the deal and we've got all the arrangements and promises in place from Everton that secures that arrangement.
“If we go ahead with it, it will generate an income of about £7m, just on the commercial loan that we give, plus £1.5m in business rates. So, I'm not downbeat about it because whatever happens, the regeneration of north Liverpool and the docks and the Ten Streets [initiative] will bring in massive business rates for the city.
“But I do want this opportunity to get more revenue into the city and I'm not going to give up on it and I'm pretty optimistic that we can still have a financial arrangement with the club.
“So the speculation is not being led by me and I certainly can't believe that the club would have given any information out that the potential of a deal is off the table.”
As part of Everton's announcement of the consultation period next month, it was suggested that the submission of a planning application and the revealing of artist's renderings of the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium would be delayed until the second half of 2019.
Anderson says, however, that he sees no reason why the fans couldn't be given an idea of the design that Meis Architects have in mind for the look of the new ground before the end of this year.
“I, personally, hope that Everton release some of the CGIs and any images of the stadium. I don't think it would do any harm. Because at the end of the day, they are images of how you want it to look, not to the exact detail.
“I will certainly encourage Everton to put it out there and let them see.”
Asked what his initial reaction was to seeing the preliminary renderings, Anderson said: “Wow! Wow, because it wasn't your typical vision of a stadium like a bowl or what have you.
“It's complementary to the developments down there and it's iconic. It looks great; it looks stunning. The brickwork… you know, the framing of the stadium and what have you is really complementary to what we have down there.
“So, I don't think Everton should be restrictive of giving fans some idea of what it looks like. I really don't see any problem from a planning point of view.”
Reader Comments (42)
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2 Posted 26/10/2018 at 08:11:46
One way or another, we will be moving to Bramley-Moore Dock.
3 Posted 26/10/2018 at 09:20:52
On the inside, however, it is another story. That little 'window' to the skyline is great.
What could we see from the docks?
4 Posted 26/10/2018 at 09:21:32
5 Posted 26/10/2018 at 10:10:08
I suppose it's all down to taste and opinion. The Lucas Oil Stadium was really lauded when it was built and if our own Bramley-Moore Dock was similar, I certainly think it would not only be iconic but something totally different from other recently built or almost built stadiums.
I think, with the World Heritage status at stake, the stadium would have to "fit in" as much as possible and something similar to the Lucas Oil Stadium would certainly do that with its brick facades.
I think, and this is only my opinion, that everyone involved is looking to have a stadium that, when built, will look as though it's been there forever and not something totally out of character. One that, rather than sticking out like a silver and concrete sore thumb will blend with the "appropriate" surroundings.
Personally, I'm very excited, and feel positive about Bramley-Moore Dock. I think the club will get it right and I think we'll be more than pleased.
6 Posted 26/10/2018 at 10:25:47
I for one am massively excited about having something similar to the Lucas Oil Stadium. Bowl type stadiums are everywhere. I want something different, iconic and that will still look great in 50 years time.
A four-sided stadium will also mean fans close to the pitch which is what we all want.
7 Posted 26/10/2018 at 11:52:52
8 Posted 26/10/2018 at 12:28:06
Apropos of nothing here in this discussion, of all the NFL stadiums I particularly like Arrowhead (Kansas City). Something of the 1960s-70s space age about it that for some reason appeals to me. Totally inappropriate for Bramley-Moore Dock, I just like it.
9 Posted 26/10/2018 at 13:04:02
Blue brick columns...
10 Posted 26/10/2018 at 13:04:46
11 Posted 26/10/2018 at 13:38:27
It looks like we will get a rectangular shape which I would prefer.
In my imagination, it has 4 granite and brick piers (2 each end) with echoes of the bricks in the Albert Dock and Tobacco warehouse. Incorporating the use of the old, hard ‘Blue Bricks' would be a great design feature for obvious reasons. Maybe some sort of blue glass or reflective blue crystals in the mortar .
The giant granite bases of these piers are inspired by Bramley-Moore Dock entrance. The granite is a message: hard and resilient, quality that is here to stay for the long term.
12 Posted 26/10/2018 at 13:48:35
The design brief will have to include traditional materials to satisfy some of the stipulations placed on us by building on a World Heritage site. Dan Meis said as much in the April briefings.
It will be a great fillip for the club on and off the pitch if(?) and when we get to Bramley-Moore Dock. I don't care what hoops we have to jump through to get it built – it will be a giant poke in the eye to the RS. Let's be frank – without some fairly vocal dissent from Evertonians, we could be playing in a soulless stadium in Kirkby.
13 Posted 26/10/2018 at 17:03:08
I'm not a fan of the myriad institutions that poke into almost every activity today but would hope that the presence or involvement of World Heritage as mentioned by Ed, or other relevant bodies would help suitably influence the result for the best. The "Shed" type silhouette could actually be quite in keeping if styled to suit (the warehouse connection).
I have my own thoughts about the use of and interaction with "Public" money by private interests depending on context, but in the case of the stadium, all that can go into a convenient box if it means the right result here. I would still happily settle for a Goodison makeover but since that isn't going to happen...
14 Posted 26/10/2018 at 17:12:46
Sorry but it's a thumbs down from me.
15 Posted 26/10/2018 at 17:18:36
I'm really confused how Joe felt it okay to give this snippet of information. Will it prompt the club to give us sample designs faster than expected?
16 Posted 26/10/2018 at 17:54:25
17 Posted 26/10/2018 at 18:06:31
18 Posted 26/10/2018 at 18:14:12
19 Posted 26/10/2018 at 19:26:02
20 Posted 26/10/2018 at 19:32:23
Akin to Hain naming our old friend and ex-substantial shareholder, Green, I suppose.
There will be a lot of debate about the validity of both outpourings.
21 Posted 26/10/2018 at 19:52:28
I'm now looking forward to taking my seat at Bramley-Moore Dock sometime in the 2027-28 season
22 Posted 26/10/2018 at 20:53:42
I dream of Usmanov taking over the Blues but, even if he does, Moshiri made his fortune on the back of being a great advisor and accountant for the big fella, so I expect that borrowing off the council is still a major part of their agenda.
A lot of bitter Liverpudlians will kick up a fuss and, even though it's great business for everyone involved, this is the bit that concerns me the most.
Let's unite and fight for our stadium on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey!
23 Posted 26/10/2018 at 21:05:53
24 Posted 26/10/2018 at 21:30:32
I was talking to one the other night by text, and mentioned how ironic it would be if Everton scored their 7,000th top-flight goal at Anfield.
"Why would that be ironic?" he asked? "Because it was Everton's first ground," I replied. "Argh, your fuckin at it" he texted, "youse are all the same."
I wasn't at it, I was stating the truth, but the truth is, they love to fanny us if they can because they think they are so superior.
The only fuss they can kick up is if Everton borrow the money off the council; with Joe Anderson continuing to be the mouth-piece, then I still think that this is what Moshiri wants to do.
I might be wrong but the man is a top accountant so he, more than anyone, will know that you should always try and borrow money at the cheapest rate possible, simply because it makes the most sense.
They call us Bitter Blues, but don't want us to build on the docks, even though the City of Liverpool as a whole is going to benefit so much from this incredible scheme?
25 Posted 26/10/2018 at 23:16:20
I watched an interview with Graham Souness and, for all the clubs he worked with, the guy interviewing him kept coming back to his time at Liverpool... time and time again.
Every match seems like the refs give more to the opposition than us. So, if we are to have a new stadium, expect a long drawn-out fight to get it...
26 Posted 26/10/2018 at 00:01:22
I get how some are not overly happy with the exterior but we wouldn't get a carbon copy of that, I'm sure.
The interior design of the Lucas Oil Stadium would be out of this world for an English football stadium.
In addition,what I'd like from the Lucas Oil Stadium is the size, 60,000 plus, and a retractable roof!
27 Posted 27/10/2018 at 00:29:46
I also believe because of the orientation of the pitch / stadium that the capacity will be limited to 55,000. I am okay with that.
As far as the inside of the stadium is concerned, I think the Lucas Oil Stadium is fantastic as is: Borrusia Dortmund's Stadium
28 Posted 27/10/2018 at 00:55:55
Like a lot of Blues, I would imagine, we have a fairly fixed matchday routine which involves going to a pub first. I'm in the top balcony and the catering facilities aren't great, and to be frank, you'll never get me in Goodison (as much as I love the arl girl) more than five minutes before kick off.
If the pitch is parallel to the river, and you can sit in a place inside the ground overlooking the river, or the city for that matter, I'm sure it would encourage more people to get there early. This might seem like a moot point, but I think there must be massive income potential for the club with regards to this.
29 Posted 27/10/2018 at 05:08:01
Couldn't agree more mate, I'm convinced that shower will do all they can to prevent us progressing.
How dare we have a world class, state of the art, iconic waterfront stadium which would be a City landmark envied around the world which will eclipse theirs - I'm convinced eventually it will happen but it will take much longer than it should as I'm sure after the designs / drawings are announced then just wait for the protests, the marches, petitions and banner waving to begin
30 Posted 27/10/2018 at 08:19:17
Our stadium will be one of the world's iconic stadiums, sympathetic to its surroundings with influences from historic dockside buildings and materials.
It will fuel the regeneration of the northern docks area and bring in much-needed investment, creating jobs for the long-term and improving the local economy.
As a world-renowned architectural masterpiece, the stadium would be a draw for tourists and visitors from all over. The hotel and tourism sector for Liverpool would be strengthened.
There is so much to be gained by this project that any objections need to be properly balanced by the exponential positives.
It would be to the city's eternal shame if the development was grounded by biased and spurious objections. Expect some. I'm sure common sense will win the day for the good of all the people of Liverpool. Remember, not everyone is a football fan, but everyone is affected by the long-term strength and stability of the city's economy.
31 Posted 27/10/2018 at 10:09:00
I hope it's steep, because it's freezing cold down there during the winter, and this is why Frank @16 stadium would be an absolute disaster in my opinion!
32 Posted 27/10/2018 at 14:30:01
33 Posted 27/10/2018 at 15:26:30
34 Posted 27/10/2018 at 20:27:13
Whilst that is of little interest to us as mere 'speccies,' it will be vital for those who call the shots at our club to keep their backers – and those on their backs – sweet throughout the process. Why otherwise should they get involved as they have done via Moshiri?
Thus, my money is on Everton Joe to lose out on his Council loan plan as the Everton Board opt to fill the pockets of those a little closer to 'the cause' than the poor old local authority. I do, however, hope they will be decent enough to acknowledge the key role our Mayor has played in kickstarting this mammoth project.
35 Posted 28/10/2018 at 07:27:33
However, on the Mersey Estuary, the wind will be a big factor and having gaping spaces in each of the corners would not be a good design for the comfort of watching.
So along with making the most of the footprint for numbers and keeping in the noise, it should be as enclosed as possible.
36 Posted 28/10/2018 at 09:14:56
BBC NortWest tomorrow doing an article on Bramley-Moore Dock.
37 Posted 28/10/2018 at 09:49:14
38 Posted 31/10/2018 at 13:02:33
39 Posted 31/10/2018 at 13:36:05
Good info. The article is very sparse on details but says the original cost was 𧸭 million but the extra 𧶰 million has been raised to cover any shortfalls due to the delays. I know it is always wise to have a bit of a cushion but the extra cash amounts to 66 percent of the original budget for the whole stadium.
I am just puzzled on a practical level what the money would be needed for? Extra wages for workers, wires, maybe safety fines etc... but an extra 𧶰 million??? That just seems like something major is needed.
40 Posted 31/10/2018 at 13:55:51
Prosecutors in Rome wrapped up their investigation on Tuesday, nearly five months after the stadium's main constructor, Luca Parnasi, and eight other people were arrested for alleged wrongdoing linked to bureaucratic matters involving the proposed venue. Prosecutors also allege that payments were made illegally in cash, along with bills for non-existent job hires and counseling. Other likely charges include criminal association and illegal financing. Roma's American president, James Pallotta, first presented the stadium plan in March 2014, saying that it would be ready for the 2016-17 season — yet construction has still not started.
The massive project — set to include a training center, entertainment complex, office space and extensive transportation works — has been delayed by environmental concerns, bureaucracy and criticism over public funding. The project's cost was originally estimated at 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion), including more than 200 million euros in public financing
It also seems that the politial landscape in the City of Liverpool is changing rapidly, this may or may not affect Everton FC but it shows how quickly things can change, when the club is trying to make major decisions about funding etc.
41 Posted 31/10/2018 at 14:58:55
42 Posted 31/10/2018 at 14:59:54
Back to Spurs, this rise is one of the reasons they spent sod all on players... lucky for them, they have a good squad but, sooner or later, they are gonna have to spend to stay in the top six.
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1 Posted 26/10/2018 at 07:19:10
Should it be like the Lucas Oil Stadium, that would be outstanding!