Team officials from the Kansas City Royals announced today that they plan to build a new stadium in the Crossroads District of downtown Kansas City.
Representatives from the Royals held a press conference with Kansas City community leaders and released renderings demonstrating their plan for a ballpark and entertainment district at Grand Boulevard, incorporating the site of the former Kansas City Star building near the T-Mobile Center; in fact, the released plans show a pedestrian bridge directly connecting the T-Mobile center and the new stadium.
The proposed $2 Billion project would also include team offices and conference center; corporate offices; a hotel; a residential and entertainment venue; improvements to Grand Blvd; and a South Loop Park extension and bridge.
The South Loop Park extension would be bolstered by the South Loop Project, a planned development for a “sustainable urban park over I-670 linking adjacent communities” and “bridging Kansas City’s Central Business District and the Crossroads Arts District.”
Jackson County residents will have the opportunity this April to vote yes or no on a 3/8th-cent sales tax that would fund the new ballpark for the Royals as well as planned stadium renovations for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jackson County executive Frank White vetoed the ballot measure for this tax in January, citing his concerns regarding “unresolved issues”; however, Jackson County legislature overrode that veto, placing the measure back on the ballot for the upcoming April election.
Royals officials called the proposed construction a “private-public partnership” and have stated they intend to contribute $1 billion out of the total cost of $2 billion.
The KC Royals have played at Kauffman Stadium since it opened in early 1973 as Royals Stadium. The Royals and Chiefs have shared Truman Sports Complex–the first two-stadium facility of its kind–at their respective Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums since that time. If the plans for a new ballpark are passed, the Royals and Chiefs will separate for the first time in 50 years.
Photo Source: Kansas City Royals Facebook
