Pete Lowy obsessed with Leeds United logistical idea at Elland Road – ‘according to insiders…’
Leeds United board member Pete Lowy is said to be “obsessed” with the idea of improving the transport infrastructure around Elland Road, according to Mike Keegan.
Lowy, the son of a billionaire and a significant investor in Leeds through the family’s investment company Lowy Family Group, wants to revamp the travel network to help the club grow.
Keegan shared the information in the print edition of the Daily Mail [4 January, page 68] in an article detailing 49ers Enterprises’ plans for Leeds going forward.
“It is not lost on those involved that Leeds is the largest city in Europe without its own transit system,” Keegan wrote. “Elland Road lies on the other side of a ring road which cuts south Leeds off from a thriving city.
“The talk is of a tram network, with a transport hub based at the stadium. The view is that such a connection would unlock regeneration for a neglected slice of town.
“That is where Peter Lowy comes in. According to insiders, the Australian former chief executive of shopping centre giant Westfield is ‘obsessed’ with the prospect of a rail link and the potential for transforming the stadium and surrounding area.
“Lowe is ‘a proper Leeds fan’, according to those who know him, who cuts an animated figure in the directors’ box. He is a significant investor whose father, Frank, is worth an estimated £4.7billion.”
Exciting plans
There is no doubt that revamping the transport network around Elland Road – and Leeds in general – would be a massive benefit to the club.
As Keegan goes on to point out in his piece, however, any changes are not likely to happen until Leeds return to the Premier League.
49ers Enterprises clearly have exciting plans for the Whites going forward, but they largely centre around the club being back in the big time.
The longer Leeds flounder around in the Championship, the less likely it is that any groundbreaking changes will go through.
The onus is therefore on the owners to back Daniel Farke, which they so far have done, and the German to then guide us back to the Prem.
If the long-term plan is to make improvements to Elland Road and the surrounding areas, the short-term plan has to be on further strengthening the squad.
By working together, the American backers can fulfil their aims and Leeds supporters will only benefit.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are reportedly interested in bringing in an international player from a Premier League club.