Mayor Chris Coleman and other city leaders in St. Paul deserve credit for their foresight in recruiting a Major League Soccer franchise to the Midway neighborhood. The new stadium planned for a woebegone site at University and Snelling avenues will be a valuable catalyst for additional transit-related development near the venue.

When Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges showed little interest in working with the franchise owners on a site near the main farmers market and Target Field, Coleman saw an opportunity for $120 million in private investment in an 18,000-seat stadium and a bet on a bright future for a multicultural sport that should only grow in popularity in the decades to come.

While the Minneapolis City Council appeared divided on the project, the St. Paul council quickly voted to back a property tax exemption for the stadium. The franchise group, led by businessman Bill McGuire, promised to pay for the stadium in return for the tax break, which is similar to those in place for all of the other major stadiums in the Twin Cities.

In an April interview with an editorial writer, Hodges argued that McGuire and his wealthy ownership group — which includes Star Tribune owner Glen Taylor — failed to make the case that they needed tax relief. She argued that there eventually will be tax-generating development at the Minneapolis site and suggested the team play at the new Vikings stadium or TCF Bank Stadium.

The reality is that the McGuire group won the franchise, at a cost of $100 million, in part by promising to build an outdoor stadium. Minnesotans who are invested in the health of the Twin Cities region should be applauding. Thanks to more than $200 million in private investment — and the vision of St. Paul city leaders — major league soccer is a big step closer to reality. Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, we await the many proposals for development at the rejected site.