After meeting with hotelier Earl Holding on Wednesday, Mayor Rocky Anderson said Holding will sell his land on the block between 600 South and 700 South and Main Street and West Temple. Previously, Holding's spokesman said the company was analyzing the plan to build a 22,000-seat $60 million stadium for Real Salt Lake.

"It was a very positive meeting and I think all of us left very, very excited about the possibilities," Anderson said. "Mr. Holding is doing this in large part because of his devotion to Salt Lake City and creating a more vibrant downtown area. That's why he built what I think is the most elegant hotel in the world [Grand America] in our city. He is very insistent that anything in this area be done with a standard of excellence."

Anderson said the rest of the block's property owners are willing to sell. Salt Lake City's Redevelopment Agency would buy the land, if City Council members agree. He said an appraisal would need to be completed to determine fair-market value. Anderson said the city also may build a parking garage as part of its soccer package. It probably would also fund a TRAX light rail station at 700 South.

Beyond that, the mayor was vague about the rest of the city's proposal, saying he couldn't share details now. He did say he and Holding discussed other uses in the neighborhood that would compliment Holding's hotels - which also include Little America - and the stadium. Holding owns about 50 acres on the southern edge of downtown.

Real owner Dave Checketts also attended the meeting with Holding. He said he must tell Major League Soccer officials by Feb. 1 where Real will permanently play - Salt Lake City or Murray. The suburb wants to build the stadium on 100 acres of land around the TRAX station at 4500 South. That city has plans for a mixed-use development there with housing, retail and offices.

Until the stadium is built, Real will play at Rice-Eccles stadium, starting in April.

hmay@sltrib.com