Jackson County legislator: Plan to renovate Arrowhead must be on November ballot

After a ballot initiative to fund renovations to Arrowhead Stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs and build a new stadium for the Royals failed in Jackson County, Missouri the teams’ futures in Kansas City have been in question.

A key reason the plan was put in jeopardy is opposition to the new stadium for the Royals located downtown which would have required a large demolition area in the middle of an already-vibrant entertainment district.

Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca has proposed a Chiefs-only amendment that reduces the proposed 40-year sales tax extension to 20 years and lowers the planned sales tax to one-quarter of a cent.

He believes the key to cementing a deal that benefits the Chiefs is to uncouple the Royals from the plan and focus solely on renovating Arrowhead Stadium.

For the amended plan to make the November election ballot, Jackson County legislature must rubber-stamp it within their next two sessions or there will be no time left to get the sales tax extension approved by voters.

Abarca spoke with urgency about getting the funds appropriated for a renovation.

“I think people are going to start to realize, this is our last shot here for the Chiefs,” Abarca said. “There’s not really another opportunity for us if we lose a second vote.”