Macomb officials hear IRR pitch for sports complex pro forma; $105,000 feasibility step headed to council

The Macomb Committee of the Whole on Aug. 11 heard a proposal from Integra Realty Resources (IRR) to produce a financial pro forma and implementation strategy for a proposed indoor sports complex, with staff asking the city council to consider a $105,000 commitment to complete the first three phases of the work.

John Hansen, managing director of IRR’s corporate and public finance group, told the committee the engagement would proceed in five phases: information gathering and preliminary modeling, a refined financial pro forma, an economic‑benefit analysis and public presentations, entitlement and public‑incentive work, and finally assembling public finance for construction. "We will model proposed sources and uses, cash flows and budgets," Hansen said, describing how the firm would test whether the capital stack—public finance, bank loans, grants, sponsorships, naming rights and developer equity—can support the project.

Hansen outlined the fee approach for the early work: a $25,000 initial retainer, milestone payments with $50,000 due on delivery of the preliminary pro forma and a total of $105,000 to complete phases 1–3 within an estimated four months. He said the engagement would provide an early "off‑ramp" at the end of the initial analysis so the city could stop if the project proved financially infeasible.

City administrator Scott (surname not specified in the transcript) and Kim Pierce, identified as Mayco executive director, told the committee the city and a core team have visited three comparator facilities (Mattoon’s "Emerald Acres," Rocky Mount, and Overland Park’s "Blue Hawk") to benchmark operations and economic impact. In describing Mattoon’s midyear figures—figures that IRR presented as illustrative—Hansen noted the report showed more than $6.7 million in estimated local spending and thousands of nonlocal visitor nights connected to a single facility.

Council members pressed on public outreach, transparency and the project’s scope. Alderman Hsu asked when community input would be solicited; Hansen and staff said public meetings would be part of phase 3 and that statutory notices and public hearings would be required for any business district or tax‑increment finance (TIF) measures discussed during later phases. "We believe in transparency," Hansen said, adding that in prior projects IRR and steering committees held large community briefings.

Committee members also flagged public perception and demographic splits among residents and encouraged open houses and fall sessions (the committee discussed a possible meeting at Spoon River College). Kim Pierce characterized the project as significant for the community, calling it "truly a game changer" for Macomb if it proves feasible and supported.

No formal award was made at the Aug. 11 meeting. Scott said staff will place the $105,000 authorization to begin phases 1–3 on the city council agenda next week, with the cost to be paid from the business development district fund. If approved, IRR would complete the initial work and return with analysis and proposed next steps, including any recommended public hearings or financing entitlements.

The committee closed the discussion and moved to other agenda items; the resolution to place the IRR engagement on the next council agenda is expected to appear at the council meeting next week.