Real Salt Lake hasn't given up the idea of playing in a soccer stadium in downtown Salt Lake City.

Signaling that their support for the Utah State Fairpark may remain lukewarm, the Major League Soccer team has hired real estate brokers to look for land downtown, in Sandy and "other places as well," said Josh Ewing, a team spokesman.

Hiring brokers "suggests that maybe the team and [Real owner] Dave [Checketts] isn't ready to give up on a downtown location yet," Ewing said. "We're not ready to say there's only two players in the game, Sandy and the Fairpark."

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson had wanted to build a stadium downtown, but land he looked at proved too expensive - $20 million for the block at Main Street and 600 South. He's now pushing for a venue in the state-owned Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West, where land would be free. Anderson has invited lawmakers from Salt Lake County to the city's Main Library today to present the Fairpark plan.

Studies have shown downtown stadiums have a greater chance of improving the economy of surrounding neighborhoods than ones in downtown's outer edges or the suburbs. The Fairpark is 10 blocks away from the city center and surrounded by little development except fast-food restaurants. Sandy's site is near Jordan Commons. Murray wants to place a stadium in the middle of a to-be-developed parcel.

Checketts has been partial to downtown because he recalls its bustling heyday when he was a child. When Salt Lake City suggested the Fairpark last year, Checketts wasn't enthused.

The team is researching land availability and price. Real has expected the public to buy the land and subsidize half the projected $60 million to $65 million construction costs.

In other soccer stadium developments:

l On Tuesday, the Sandy City Council authorized spending $5,000 to poll residents about building a venue. But Council Chairman Scott Cowdell said this week he isn't too interested in landing the facility. "I wouldn't aggressively pursue it," he said, noting the land in Sandy could generate more money in taxes through commercial development. "The Fairpark appears to me to be the best spot."

l Three Salt Lake City Council members met with Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and three County Council members Tuesday to smooth over concerns Salt Lake City has about the county possibly helping Sandy snag the stadium. Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan and House Speaker Greg Curtis have proposed the county use $20 million set aside for a parking garage at the South Town Expo center to build a parking lot and soccer stadium instead. In a letter to Salt Lake City, Corroon said the county doesn't favor one city over another in the stadium sweepstakes.

Nevertheless, Curtis is urging the county to buy the land. "Real has to make an ultimate decision. Where do you want to go?"

hmay@sltrib.com