KC Downtown Baseball

Kansas City, Denver, Minneapolis, and Coast to Coast

Moderators: nebugeater, Omaha Cowboy, Brad, BRoss

omaha79
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 3:46 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by omaha79 »

Greg S wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:15 am
omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:30 am It was interesting to see just how much Frank White, who is on the City Council in KC, is opposing the stadium tax. Telling. Says it's not been done with the best interest of the citizens in mind and hasn't been done with any transparency or integrity. Very telling. Said it would take a lot more transparency and willingness from ownership to come to the table willing to work with the city before he'd ever support it. I say good for him. This has just been the Royals and Chiefs ownership trying to fleece the city for a while now. just a pure cash grab/wealth transfer.

Actually not. Either you are being misleading in what you are trying to portray or you don't know the full story here. Frank White has been in a feud with the Royals for over 10 years. Started when they didn't promote him to manager, and then when he got fired a couple years later for feuding with the previous owners. Either way, Frank being a roadblock throughout this process surprised no one and it wasn't telling at all.....
So much of a feud they invited him back last year to throw out the first pitch on opening day. As with most things with these ownership groups, guess they are happy to use him when they think it's serving their needs....

https://www.kctv5.com/2023/03/30/county ... ening-day/

and again, the decision making was sound by the public and influenced by the local politicians. The team can come back to the table if they want, they just face an uphill battle. The market has spoken so far.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:38 am
Greg S wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:15 am
omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:30 am It was interesting to see just how much Frank White, who is on the City Council in KC, is opposing the stadium tax. Telling. Says it's not been done with the best interest of the citizens in mind and hasn't been done with any transparency or integrity. Very telling. Said it would take a lot more transparency and willingness from ownership to come to the table willing to work with the city before he'd ever support it. I say good for him. This has just been the Royals and Chiefs ownership trying to fleece the city for a while now. just a pure cash grab/wealth transfer.

Actually not. Either you are being misleading in what you are trying to portray or you don't know the full story here. Frank White has been in a feud with the Royals for over 10 years. Started when they didn't promote him to manager, and then when he got fired a couple years later for feuding with the previous owners. Either way, Frank being a roadblock throughout this process surprised no one and it wasn't telling at all.....
So much of a feud they invited him back last year to throw out the first pitch on opening day. As with most things with these ownership groups, guess they are happy to use him when they think it's serving their needs....

https://www.kctv5.com/2023/03/30/county ... ening-day/

and again, the decision making was sound by the public and influenced by the local politicians. The team can come back to the table if they want, they just face an uphill battle. The market has spoken so far.
Well he does has his number retired and a statue in the outfield. The team has seemed to be a bigger person in this (and it was the previous ownership he feuded with). It appears Frank hasn't gotten over this. The mayor of KC was even calling out Frank last October for the hurdles he was throwing up. I imagine though the current owners are now probably fed up with him as well.

I haven't written off written off Jackson County yet but the Royals and Chiefs will now listen to Clay County, and now another state as Wyandotte County and Johnson County are interested. There's also talk that the Royals may deal directly with the City of Kansas City, leaving Jackson County out of the negotiations.
omaha79
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1627
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 3:46 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by omaha79 »

Greg S wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 11:04 am
omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:38 am
Greg S wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:15 am
omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:30 am It was interesting to see just how much Frank White, who is on the City Council in KC, is opposing the stadium tax. Telling. Says it's not been done with the best interest of the citizens in mind and hasn't been done with any transparency or integrity. Very telling. Said it would take a lot more transparency and willingness from ownership to come to the table willing to work with the city before he'd ever support it. I say good for him. This has just been the Royals and Chiefs ownership trying to fleece the city for a while now. just a pure cash grab/wealth transfer.

Actually not. Either you are being misleading in what you are trying to portray or you don't know the full story here. Frank White has been in a feud with the Royals for over 10 years. Started when they didn't promote him to manager, and then when he got fired a couple years later for feuding with the previous owners. Either way, Frank being a roadblock throughout this process surprised no one and it wasn't telling at all.....
So much of a feud they invited him back last year to throw out the first pitch on opening day. As with most things with these ownership groups, guess they are happy to use him when they think it's serving their needs....

https://www.kctv5.com/2023/03/30/county ... ening-day/

and again, the decision making was sound by the public and influenced by the local politicians. The team can come back to the table if they want, they just face an uphill battle. The market has spoken so far.
Well he does has his number retired and a statue in the outfield. The team has seemed to be a bigger person in this (and it was the previous ownership he feuded with). It appears Frank hasn't gotten over this. The mayor of KC was even calling out Frank last October for the hurdles he was throwing up. I imagine though the current owners are now probably fed up with him as well.

I haven't written off written off Jackson County yet but the Royals and Chiefs will now listen to Clay County, and now another state as Wyandotte County and Johnson County are interested. There's also talk that the Royals may deal directly with the City of Kansas City, leaving Jackson County out of the negotiations.
I would think as long as the constituents get to vote on it, that's all that matters. If any of the public entities try and end around and push stadium taxes through on the populace that, so far, don't seem to want the new facilities, that's where the issues comes in.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

omaha79 wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 9:48 am
Greg S wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 11:04 am
omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:38 am
Greg S wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 9:15 am
omaha79 wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:30 am It was interesting to see just how much Frank White, who is on the City Council in KC, is opposing the stadium tax. Telling. Says it's not been done with the best interest of the citizens in mind and hasn't been done with any transparency or integrity. Very telling. Said it would take a lot more transparency and willingness from ownership to come to the table willing to work with the city before he'd ever support it. I say good for him. This has just been the Royals and Chiefs ownership trying to fleece the city for a while now. just a pure cash grab/wealth transfer.

Actually not. Either you are being misleading in what you are trying to portray or you don't know the full story here. Frank White has been in a feud with the Royals for over 10 years. Started when they didn't promote him to manager, and then when he got fired a couple years later for feuding with the previous owners. Either way, Frank being a roadblock throughout this process surprised no one and it wasn't telling at all.....
So much of a feud they invited him back last year to throw out the first pitch on opening day. As with most things with these ownership groups, guess they are happy to use him when they think it's serving their needs....

https://www.kctv5.com/2023/03/30/county ... ening-day/

and again, the decision making was sound by the public and influenced by the local politicians. The team can come back to the table if they want, they just face an uphill battle. The market has spoken so far.
Well he does has his number retired and a statue in the outfield. The team has seemed to be a bigger person in this (and it was the previous ownership he feuded with). It appears Frank hasn't gotten over this. The mayor of KC was even calling out Frank last October for the hurdles he was throwing up. I imagine though the current owners are now probably fed up with him as well.

I haven't written off written off Jackson County yet but the Royals and Chiefs will now listen to Clay County, and now another state as Wyandotte County and Johnson County are interested. There's also talk that the Royals may deal directly with the City of Kansas City, leaving Jackson County out of the negotiations.
I would think as long as the constituents get to vote on it, that's all that matters. If any of the public entities try and end around and push stadium taxes through on the populace that, so far, don't seem to want the new facilities, that's where the issues comes in.
Depends on the funding mechanism used. Kansas uses Star Bonds. Both Children's Mercy Park and the Kansas Speedway were built with them and there was no vote. So different municipalities have different options. Jackson County if it's a sales tax, there is a vote.
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

KC Mayor has a framework for a downtown stadium at Washington Square. Being presented to city council tonight.

https://www.inkansascity.com/innovators ... uare-park/
Last edited by CBJason on Thu Apr 09, 2026 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036451
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Brad »

CBJason wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 7:40 pm KC Mayor and Royals have a framework for a downtown stadium at Washington Square. Being presented to city council tonight.

https://www.inkansascity.com/innovators ... uare-park/
If google is correct, that would be across the street to the east from Union Station?
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

That’s correct. I’d like to make one correction, this is just the mayor’s proposal. The royals have not officially agreed to it. Another key here is it will not be up for a vote, which doomed the last attempt two years ago
buildomaha
Human Relations
Posts: 700
Joined: Tue May 31, 2016 7:06 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by buildomaha »

Kansas City has lifted parking minimum requirements. Take notes Omaha.
#gohawks
buildomaha
Human Relations
Posts: 700
Joined: Tue May 31, 2016 7:06 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by buildomaha »

(Downtown)
#gohawks
User avatar
iamjacobm
City Council
Posts: 10798
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:52 am
Location: Chicago

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by iamjacobm »

buildomaha wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 10:33 pm Kansas City has lifted parking minimum requirements. Take notes Omaha.
Omaha CBD zoning which covers essentially all of DT Omaha hasn't had a parking minimum requirement for a very long time now.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

CBJason wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 8:07 pm That’s correct. I’d like to make one correction, this is just the mayor’s proposal. The royals have not officially agreed to it. Another key here is it will not be up for a vote, which doomed the last attempt two years ago
They might not have publicly agreed to it but I don't think this would have been released as is without their approval.
NEDodger
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1339
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:19 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by NEDodger »

Governor of Missouri, Mayor of Kansas City, and the Royals to hold a press conference tomorrow.

Looks like this is a go?
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

Pretty much. Although there’s a plot twist coming tomorrow apparently when all these groups meet. Apparently the royals have been dealing with the Hall family about taking land at the crown center, I believe that’s who owns it, instead of being on Washington square park. Makes sense now why the royals never really endorsed that plan.

https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-cit ... m/71084927
User avatar
Garrett
County Board
Posts: 4629
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Garrett »

So that will put it directly on the streetcar route no? That's huge. The demolition will have to be quite extensive to get 80 acres of space.
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

Garrett wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2026 10:35 pm So that will put it directly on the streetcar route no? That's huge. The demolition will have to be quite extensive to get 80 acres of space.
Yes right on the newly expanded street car route. New HQ's going up for both the Royals and Hallmark too.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

OmahaRedWing
Human Relations
Posts: 507
Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2023 1:39 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by OmahaRedWing »

Greg S wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 9:38 am
Garrett wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2026 10:35 pm So that will put it directly on the streetcar route no? That's huge. The demolition will have to be quite extensive to get 80 acres of space.
Yes right on the newly expanded street car route. New HQ's going up for both the Royals and Hallmark too.
The mayor of KC, Quinton Lucas was on the radio last week and said the city is already working on ordering at least 4 additional street cars to increase the capacity with the stadium development.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

Largest public private partnership in KC history. Phase 1 will exceed $3 billion.
almighty_tuna
City Council
Posts: 106348
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:34 pm
Location: Somewhere between downtown and Colorado

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by almighty_tuna »

Good grief that's a massive project. That streetcar is going to get ridiculous ridership. Good for them.
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

User avatar
Garrett
County Board
Posts: 4629
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Garrett »

I'd like to see a proper site plan and hear more about how big the stadium is supposed to be, because they appear to be keeping a lot of the existing buildings in a way where it feels like it's going to be absolutely crammed into that site, even more so if there's going to be an additional $1.1 billion of development in the first phase.

Edit: The discussion about this on the KCRag i just skimmed through makes the Union Omaha stadium discussion look civil!
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

I kinda agree with you. An MLB stadium is a fairly big footprint. In the pic below, the stadium is supposed to fit in the red outline area from what I can tell from the initial renderings and that does seem pretty tight.

Image
djc311
Planning Board
Posts: 2106
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:44 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by djc311 »

CBJason wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:54 pm I kinda agree with you. An MLB stadium is a fairly big footprint. In the pic below, the stadium is supposed to fit in the red outline area from what I can tell from the initial renderings and that does seem pretty tight.

Image
Will be interesting to see how this fits - and also how Hallmark relocates or rebuilds their headquarters to accommodate it.
User avatar
Garrett
County Board
Posts: 4629
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Garrett »

CBJason wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:54 pm I kinda agree with you. An MLB stadium is a fairly big footprint. In the pic below, the stadium is supposed to fit in the red outline area from what I can tell from the initial renderings and that does seem pretty tight.

Image
Even your red outline is being generous! The Kaleidoscope building in the rendering looks to be intact, as does the side building of the church on the bottom left
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

Garrett wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2026 8:25 am
CBJason wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 6:54 pm I kinda agree with you. An MLB stadium is a fairly big footprint. In the pic below, the stadium is supposed to fit in the red outline area from what I can tell from the initial renderings and that does seem pretty tight.

Image
Even your red outline is being generous! The Kaleidoscope building in the rendering looks to be intact, as does the side building of the church on the bottom left
This is actually a bigger available footprint that if they had built in Washington Square Park., which is adjoining and where they were initially believed to be building. It's also quite a bit bigger than the site where Target Field in Minneapolis sits (Washington Square Park was bigger as well but only buy 2-3 acres).
almighty_tuna
City Council
Posts: 106348
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:34 pm
Location: Somewhere between downtown and Colorado

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by almighty_tuna »

I had to compare it to a couple other urban ballparks.

Petco Park in San Diego is a 17 acre site for the ballpark itself.
Yankee Stadium in the Bronx is a 24 acre site
Wrigley Field is 8.9 acres!!
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

Garrett wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2026 8:25 am Even your red outline is being generous! The Kaleidoscope building in the rendering looks to be intact, as does the side building of the church on the bottom left
Well I knew the church was staying but didn’t remember the building next to it. I just made sure not to include the church! lol. However, every which way I looked at the renderings, it looked like the kaleidoscope building no longer existed. It looked like the stadium extended to the structure next to it, which I think is a parking garage…

Anyway, we’ll get a ton more looks soon! Overall, great project coming!
User avatar
remline
Home Owners Association
Posts: 247
Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2024 10:38 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by remline »

Wow, what an exciting project. I'm at least glad that they are staying in Missouri, so that the pundits don't have to panic about them crossing the state line.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

remline wrote: Thu Apr 23, 2026 11:36 am Wow, what an exciting project. I'm at least glad that they are staying in Missouri, so that the pundits don't have to panic about them crossing the state line.
Honestly it probably worked out for the best. With 2 new stadiums going up simultaneously, better to split the cost between the two states. No way they would have got anything like the Bi State tax passed again (which was done to renovate Union Station years ago). Both projects will exceed $3 billion a piece.

Exciting times for KC.
Cermak
Planning Board
Posts: 2317
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2018 1:02 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Cermak »

Looks like a great project, hopefully it has some decent skyline views. And parking isn’t too much of a hassle.
strangerthings
Library Board
Posts: 431
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:49 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by strangerthings »

Cermak wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 7:07 pm Looks like a great project, hopefully it has some decent skyline views. And parking isn’t too much of a hassle.
Big new tower announced this week at the hospital that will fill the skyline view
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

strangerthings wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:15 pm
Cermak wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 7:07 pm Looks like a great project, hopefully it has some decent skyline views. And parking isn’t too much of a hassle.
Big new tower announced this week at the hospital that will fill the skyline view
Do you have any pics? If so please post in the Children's Mercy thread.
strangerthings
Library Board
Posts: 431
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:49 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by strangerthings »

Greg S wrote: Fri May 01, 2026 10:15 am
strangerthings wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:15 pm
Cermak wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 7:07 pm Looks like a great project, hopefully it has some decent skyline views. And parking isn’t too much of a hassle.
Big new tower announced this week at the hospital that will fill the skyline view
Do you have any pics? If so please post in the Children's Mercy thread.
Done
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

strangerthings wrote: Fri May 01, 2026 11:51 am
Greg S wrote: Fri May 01, 2026 10:15 am
strangerthings wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:15 pm
Cermak wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 7:07 pm Looks like a great project, hopefully it has some decent skyline views. And parking isn’t too much of a hassle.
Big new tower announced this week at the hospital that will fill the skyline view
Do you have any pics? If so please post in the Children's Mercy thread.
Done
Thank you! Love pics and video. 1 billion, wow.
Flyer14
Home Owners Association
Posts: 203
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:14 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Flyer14 »

The Kansas City council approved/pledged $600 million to the Royals new Stadium today. A big chunk of the ~$3 billion mixed use district.
User avatar
Greg S
City Council
Posts: 8900
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by Greg S »

Flyer14 wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 9:11 pm The Kansas City council approved/pledged $600 million to the Royals new Stadium today. A big chunk of the ~$3 billion mixed use district.
Really looking forward to this.
strangerthings
Library Board
Posts: 431
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2020 9:49 pm

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by strangerthings »

The team released work in progress renderings.

Image

Image
CBJason
Library Board
Posts: 397
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2022 4:01 pm
Location: MEM burbs

Re: KC Downtown Baseball

Post by CBJason »

If those buildings peaking out over the top of the stadium are downtown then they must have shifted/rotated the orientation of the field/stadium. Originally you were supposed to have basically a straight shot view of downtown from home plate.