The Kansas City Downtown Council (DTC) has recently intensified its advocacy for a new downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals, highlighting the escalating competition between Missouri and Kansas to host the team.
This development underscores the strategic importance of the stadium’s location and its potential economic impact on the region.
The Downtown Council’s Position
In a recent resolution, the DTC emphasized the necessity for Kansas City, Missouri, to collaborate proactively with the Royals and relevant political entities to secure a downtown stadium.
The council’s concerns are heightened by Kansas’s aggressive pursuit of the Royals, offering substantial incentives to entice the team across state lines. DTC Chair Gib Kerr expressed apprehension, stating, “Kansas is making a hard run at the Royals and the Chiefs for that matter.”
Kansas’s Incentive Strategy: STAR Bonds
Kansas has employed Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds as a strategic tool to attract major sports franchises. This program allows developers to finance up to 70% of a project’s cost by issuing bonds, which are repaid through the increased sales tax revenue generated by the development.
The Kansas Legislature’s recent proposal aims to extend the STAR Bonds program to include professional sports teams, potentially covering a significant portion of the costs associated with constructing new stadiums. This move is perceived as a direct effort to lure the Royals and the Chiefs to Kansas.
Economic Implications of a Downtown Stadium
The DTC’s resolution outlines several anticipated benefits of a downtown stadium, including:
- Economic Development: Stimulating growth through new office spaces, hotels, retail establishments, and residential projects.
- Job Creation: Generating numerous construction and permanent employment opportunities, with a focus on supporting minority-owned businesses.
- Community Engagement: Enhancing accessibility and fostering social cohesion through well-designed community programs.
- Cultural Integration: Positioning the stadium amidst cultural landmarks like Union Station and Crown Center, thereby enriching the city’s cultural tapestry.
Potential Sites and Strategic Considerations
Among the potential sites for the new stadium, Washington Square Park, located between Union Station and Crown Center, has emerged as a leading contender.
This location offers strategic advantages, including proximity to major cultural landmarks and integration with the city’s streetcar line, enhancing connectivity and accessibility.
A Regional Competition
The competition between Missouri and Kansas to host the Royals is emblematic of a broader regional rivalry, often referred to as the “stadium border war.”
Kansas’s aggressive incentives, coupled with the substantial financial implications of constructing a new stadium, have intensified this competition.
The DTC’s resolution serves as a call to action for Missouri’s political and civic leaders to respond decisively to retain the Royals and capitalize on the associated economic and cultural benefits.
The Kansas City Downtown Council’s advocacy for a downtown stadium reflects a strategic effort to bolster economic development, enhance community engagement, and assert Missouri’s position in the regional competition for major sports franchises.
As Kansas intensifies its efforts through substantial incentives like STAR Bonds, the urgency for Missouri to act decisively has never been greater. The outcome of this “stadium border war” will significantly influence the region’s economic landscape and cultural identity in the years to come.