As the new year begins, discussions about the potential construction of one or two new sports stadiums in Kansas City have resurfaced. The Kansas City Royals are interested in holding a vote on a downtown stadium and entertainment district in August, with a projected cost of approximately $2 billion. However, there are currently many details about the plan that are unknown, including whether the public will be asked to contribute to the stadium and the potential extension of a 3/8th-cent sales tax in Jackson County.
The proposed downtown stadium project in Kansas City needs to be finalized by May 30 in order to be placed on the August ballot. In order for the vote to take place, voters must have a clear understanding of the details of the plan by this spring, including the location of the stadium, cost estimates, repayment plans for any public bonds, and the construction timeline. The Kansas City Royals must also commit to a new lease that will keep the team in the city for the duration of the tax used for the project. If the tax is set to be extended for 30 years, the team must promise to stay in Kansas City for that time period before the election. Without a new lease agreement, voters may choose to reject any tax for the stadium.
In addition to the details of the proposed downtown stadium project in Kansas City, the voters are informed about the potential involvement of the state of Missouri and any state taxes that may be authorized for the project. The design of the surrounding entertainment district and any public subsidies or economic incentives should also be made clear to the public. It is essential that residents understand the plans for the Kansas City Chiefs as well, including any potential requests for public support for stadium improvements or new construction, including involvement in renovations for the 2026 World Cup.
The current status of the Truman Sports Complex and the 3/8th-cent sales tax used for 2006 improvements, which is currently split between baseball and football, should also be understood. If the Royals seek to use all of this tax money for their own stadium, the community should be aware of the Chiefs’ potential plans. If the Royals do sign a new lease, the Chiefs should also negotiate a new deal, requiring the involvement of the NFL and Major League Baseball. All of this information to be disclosed to the public in order for voters to make an informed decision on the stadium project.
It will be a significant task to iron out all the details of the proposed downtown stadium and entertainment district in Kansas City within the next 150 days. One Jackson County legislator, Jalen Anderson, has already expressed skepticism about the project and plans to campaign against it, preferring to use taxpayer dollars for improvements at the existing sports complex. It is not known how many other legislators feel the same way or if Jackson County will be involved in the project at all. However, it is crucial that no public body authorize a vote on any stadium-related tax until all the vital details, including new lease agreements, are finalized and made transparent to the public. It would not be fair to give any organization a blank check for public support without a full understanding of the details of the project. It may be more practical to delay the vote until 2024, and this will become clearer as more information is disclosed in the spring.
