Rendell spoke at a place that links downtrodden Chester's blue-collar past and its hoped-for future, the Wharf at Rivertown, an office complex in the majestic, neoclassical halls of what was once a Philadelphia Electric Co. plant. The gathering was more a celebration than a news conference, the main hall crowded with 200 soccer fans, union workers, developers, reporters and, it seemed, every politician who ever dreamed of kicking a soccer ball.
Rendell entered the hall like a prizefighter heading into the ring, people clapping him on the shoulders and touching his arms as he worked his way through the thick crowd to the lectern to confirm the stadium deal. He was joined by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, a Republican whose district includes Chester, and both hardly mentioned the stadium, preferring to describe the broad, $500 million housing, office and retail development on the waterfront.
The project will include not only stores and homes, officials revealed yesterday, but also a convention center, a parking garage, a riverside promenade and boat docks.
"It's going to change the face of Chester forever," Rendell said.
The Philadelphia ownership group has been locked in a contest with St. Louis, both hoping to become MLS's 16th team. On Wednesday night, as news broke that Pennsylvania would provide stadium funding - seen as the last piece of Philadelphia's expansion puzzle - lead St. Louis investor Jeff Cooper seemed to concede that the new club would land here.
MLS president Mark Abbott, reached in New York, called Rendell's announcement "a very, very positive, significant development." But the league and ownership group have more work to do, he said. He did not specify what else remained.
