The owner of the MLS's Orlando City soccer team has found an innovative way to finance his team's new $156 million stadium, funded by foreign buyers of American green cards.

Orlando City S.C. of Major League Soccer has taken a new and somewhat controversial approach to funding its new stadium. Ken Belson reports in the New York Times that Orlando City owner Flávio Augusto da Silva is using a Federal program, known as EB-5, that allows developers to raise capital by selling green cards to foreign buyers. As Belson notes, the program was "intended to help pay for infrastructure projects in rural areas and poor urban neighborhoods." However, during the last recession the program was adopted by private developers to fund the construction of hotels and condos.
The Orlando project features a 25,000-seat stadium, scheduled to open for the 2017 seasons of both Orlando City S.C. and the Orlando Pride, the women’s team that Mr. da Silva owns with his partner Phil Rawlins. Originally, the city and county agreed to subsidize the project. But when state lawmakers balked at approving a sales tax rebate, Mr. da Silva turned to the EB-5 program, something Orlando’s mayor, Buddy Dyer, cheered.
The soccer club has raised $15 million to date from 30 investors who have purchased the green card for $500,000 each. In addition to a green card, which allows the investor and their family to live and work in the United States, the investor also receives two club seats in the stadium for ten years.
FULL STORY: Price for a Green Card: $500,000 Stadium Stake

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie