Jackson County will decide the fate of two big-ticket stadium projects for the Chiefs and Royals in the voting booth April 2.
On the ballot is a proposed 3/8th-cent sales tax that raises money to be split by the pro sports teams. The Royals plan is an ambitious new downtown stadium in the East Crossroads with an accompanying ballpark district that will cost $2 billion, although ownership says they’ll put $1 billion toward the entertainment district.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, plan on staying put but are seeking $800 million in renovations on Arrowhead Stadium, with the controlling-interest Hunt family contributing $300 million.
If passed, the sales tax would largely fund the two stadium projects, although the teams may seek additional state or city funding. The advertising campaign says the vote will help keep the sports teams in Jackson County, implying that if the vote fails, the teams may move. The Chiefs and Royals say they don’t have a “plan b” if the vote fails. In the past, the Chiefs have listened to offers to move to Kansas and the Royals considered moving north to Clay County.
The Royals have agreed to build a cap over the highway to connect the new Royals Stadium with the T-Mobile center, the Power and Light District and downtown KC. 
The Royals proposed plan for improving 18th Street as a way to connect the new stadium to the 18th And Vine Jazz District. 
The chief proposed using some of the space made available by the demolition of the Royals Stadium for a Fan Experience Area. 
The proposed Royal Stadium would be built just south of the existing T-Movile Center (forefront)
Arguments SUPPORTING the Stadium Tax
The Chiefs say their renovations allow the team to stay in Arrowhead for the next 25 years and will make the gameday experience better for fans. Their updates include covered & heated concourses, pedestrian bridges, new boxes & suites, and a new “fan activation zone” with a stage for concerts.
The Royals believe their project will synergize downtown and connect neighborhoods. Their plans include helping to fund a cap over I-670 and creating a seven-block urban park over the highway stretching from Bartle Hall to Locust. The team believes that a stadium, the park, and an entertainment district with housing, offices, and a hotel will connect neighborhoods and spur further downtown development.
The Royals’ selected site is just under a mile away from the 18th & Vine Jazz District and the Nego Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM). Bob Kendrick, president of the NLBM, says he welcomes the stadium moving closer.
“This is transformative,” said Kendrick. “Understand that the transformation of Kansas City’s east side is good for our entire city.”
The Royals plan street improvements along 18th Street to encourage fans to visit the Jazz District before or after ball games. Henry Service, owner of the historic Lincoln Building at 18th & Vine, says he’s for the new stadium and that it will bring more business to the Jazz District.
“God, please let that happen,” says Service. “To have [the Royals] put their stadium within walking distance from the Jazz District, I can’t see how that wouldn’t help us.”
Several labor and commerce groups have come out in favor of the proposed stadium sales tax, including the local AFL-CIO, the Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Council, and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City.
Arguments AGAINST the Stadium Tax
The politically powerful tenants’ rights group KC Tenants is actively organizing voters against the stadium tax, saying the measure would cost each taxpayer $6,880 over the life of the new tax.
“That’s about $167 per household, per year, all to pay for a playground for the wealthy and tourists,” said KC Tenants in a statement. “This tax revenue, plus a future incentive deal with the city which would redirect money from our schools and other services, would be among the largest transfers of public money to private corporations in our region’s history.”
Dr. Michael Kelsay, professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, says that while new stadiums do have some positive impact, he says that the economic impact of new stadiums cuts both ways.
Unrelated businesses near a stadium, such as a furniture store, may as well close on game days as locals wouldn’t want to deal with the traffic and congestion.
“While there are some positives, 83% of economists say that publicly funded stadiums cost more than they benefit a city,” says Kelsay.
Jackson County Executive Frank White was charged with getting a better deal for residents as lead negotiator with the teams on behalf of the county. Both the teams and White accused the other of causing delays in negotiations. White felt the sides hadn’t ironed out all the details and he tried to keep the stadium tax question off the April ballot with a veto that was overridden by the county legislature.
“It is clear that placing this issue on the ballot without a mutually beneficial agreement was not in the best interests of our residents,” said White. “Our community deserved a thoughtful, fair, and transparent approach to public investments — one that prioritized the overall well-being and fiscal health of Jackson County, and, unfortunately, that did not happen.”
White and others say the process was rushed before voters who are being asked to decide without crucial elements completed, like a community benefits agreement (CBA). Both the Chiefs and Royals have promised a ‘robust’ CBA that could ensure an option for a service worker’s union and year-round good-paying jobs. Provisions could include affordable housing and a team contribution to KC Public Schools to make up for lost property taxes. As of press time, a CBA has not been agreed to with the vote only days away.
Opponents like KC Tenants say that if the Royals place a baseball stadium in the Crossroads Arts District, it could result in rent hikes and displacement of small businesses and tenants. According to one business owner, up to 60 existing small businesses in the east Crossroads could be affected by the Royals moving into the Arts District. In the demolition zone, there are 27 businesses that would be displaced, and others nearby could be affected by both construction and parking issues on game days.
Downtown parking is a big concern for many, with a 35,000-seat Royals stadium adding to an area that already includes a convention center, the Power & Light District, the 18,000-seat T-Mobile Center, and other popular destinations like the Kauffman Center. The Royals say there will only be a small amount of direct stadium parking since there are b21,000 parking spaces within a ten-minute walk of the proposed stadium and 40,000 spaces within a 25-minute walk.
The team is banking on people parking throughout the downtown area and walking or taking public transit like the streetcar to games.
Members of KC United Service Employees held a rally yesterday in KCMO where they announced their decision not to support the extension of the 3/8 cent sales tax.
