Kansas City council advances plan for $1.9B Royals stadium

The city council of Kansas City on Thursday approved an ordinance laying the groundwork for a $1.9 billion stadium for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals that would include $600 million of public funding from the city, financed by bonds.

Under the plan, the bonds would be repaid with economic activity redirections from the stadium and the surrounding development, according to a statement from Mayor Quinton Lucas.

"The state of Missouri is anticipated to provide support for the stadium development through the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which can fund up to 50% of qualifying stadium costs," the statement said.

A 2024 Jackson County referendum on a new ballpark for the Royals in the city fell short of passage. That plan would have imposed a countywide sales tax to help fund a $2 billion-plus stadium.

"The Royals institution represents more than a baseball team," Councilmember Andrea Bough said at Thursday's meeting. "The development of a new stadium and associated stadium district could provide significant economic development opportunities for the city."

Under changes sought by Councilmember Johnathan Duncan, any additional agreements, including the development agreement, would have to come back to city council for review. The Parks Department will handle the development agreement.

Councilmember Eric Bunch discussed the prospect of potential property tax changes and noted the bonds will have to come before city council for a vote, as well.

"One of the things that I think is most exciting is actually the location," he said, blaming the failed 2024 special election vote on the proposed location. The 2024 plan called for the ballpark to be built in the Crossroads district of midtown Kansas City.

"Here we have quite a few stakeholders actually putting letters of support together who had been quiet before," he said.

He highlighted Crossroads Community Association in particular as one influential stakeholder to change its position.

This plan calls for the ballpark and surrounding mixed-use development to be built in the Washington Square Park/Crown Center area of Kansas City.

"I think that it is a win-win," Bunch said. "We did not see that support two years ago."

Not everyone agrees. As members of the public filed out after the nearly unanimous vote, some shouted, "See you in November!"

The ordinance directs the city manager to negotiate and execute with the Royals a term sheet, lease, and development agreement for the stadium, team offices and "supporting infrastructure."

It appropriates $250,000 for early development costs and authorizes using previously appropriated funds to execute professional services agreements related to the project.

It also calls for a tax increment financing plan for the project and directs the city manager to apply for financial and tax incentives through state agencies.

It authorizes the city manager to negotiate intergovernmental agreements with the state and its agencies, and to "conduct public engagement" around the lease and development agreement.

And it clarifies the intent of the city council to reimburse itself from bond proceeds for expenditures.

The specific terms of the deal will be included in the development agreement, Bough told City Council Thursday.

Councilmember Nathan Willett, the lone no vote, did not respond to a request for comment. Bough was unavailable to respond to questions by press time.

Questions for Lucas were directed to the Kansas City communications department. Phone calls to the department were cut off with no opportunity to leave a voicemail.