New site being considered for downtown Royals stadium

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new site is emerging as an option for a possible downtown Royals baseball stadium. It follows a failed vote to fund a possible Crossroads location . It comes as the Royals and Chiefs seek out their own stadium deals.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said Washington Square Park is one of the areas being considered for a new Royals baseball stadium site.

“I just want it in Kansas City, Missouri. I love the stadium in Kansas City as much as possible, ” Lucas said. “I’ve heard the team say time and time again they want to be downtown.”

Mayor Lucas said Washington Square Park is now one of the areas likely up for consideration.

The park sits at the corner of Pershing and Grand. It’s one block North of Crown Center and a block East of Union Station.

“I believe that if the Royals are looking at downtown, then we will do all we can to make sure, while having respect for our taxpayers, that we find a way to come up with that proper balance, Lucas said.

“Which is a good location that addressed ingress and egress that has good parking, that has good amenities nearby, but that also allows us to have the type of stadium that Kansas City deserves.”

Some plusses for the park, he said, include access to public transit and “thousands of parking spots nearby.”

Lucas also mentioned the East Village as a possible opportunity, saying he sees opportunity for every site.

After Jackson County Voters rejected a Royals Stadium proposal in April, Kansas Lawmakers attempted to draw the Royals across state lines with incentives called “STAR Bonds.”

Lucas said they heard Jackson County voters. Now, drawing up a new possible play, he said the challenges is finding a path that does not have new tax liability on Kansas City voters, and is based on those who are using the facility itself.

“If you looked at tax redirections, for example sales tax redirections on the project itself – proforma that out you can get millions of dollars, if not hundreds of millions of dollars for the facility itself,” Lucas said.

“Really, in so many ways, it’s taking what is the Kansas STAR Bond tool already, and just applying to city incentives that already exist.”

Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith said he likes that idea. However, he questions taking away green space downtown to build a ballpark.

“My initial reaction is that it doesn’t seem big enough, but I’m not the expert there.” Smith said, “and more importantly, I really question us giving up our green space. I just read a study a couple days ago that the more green space there is in a community the less crime there is.”

The Royals had no comment but continued to say they’re “ exploring all options. “

Lucas wants to see a decision sooner rather than later.

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