The Royals now have a much clearer path toward a deal to build a downtown ballpark, but further legislative progress this week is creating additional hurdles the MLB club must still clear.
The city council in Kansas City, Mo., approved a funding package Thursday that will provide up to $600 million toward a long-sought-after, $1.9 billion stadium located at Washington Square Park, near the Crown Center and Union Station. That approval arrived with a vote of 11 votes for, one against, and one abstention, and it follows committee-level assent earlier in the week.
Along with a separate but related approval by Kansas City’s Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners for the intended ballpark site, those legislative moves now put the Royals in their strongest position yet to secure a stadium deal after nearly seven years of on-and-off pursuit. With these votes, the city manager is now directed to continue efforts with the Royals on key documents such as a term sheet, lease contract, and development agreement.
The city bonding will likely be backed by tax-increment financing and the creation of a ballpark district where tax money will be collected and used to pay those bonds.
“When you look at what the city’s been able to deliver, certainly if there’s a question of, ‘Has the city of Kansas City done its part?,’ we have, I think, gotten a good deal,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “We have outstanding financial terms, some of the best in the history of Major League Baseball for a team, particularly coming from a local government.”
What’s Next?
With these city-level moves, the Royals still have several key steps to complete before the Washington Square Park project is an official reality. Among them:
- The club must secure the rest of its intended financing, including potentially money from the state of Missouri and Jackson County. Specifics on those fronts are still in development, but even if both jurisdictions contribute public funds, the Royals said they expect a final deal to “include one of the largest private investments in Kansas City history.”
- Amendments in the city ordinance that require the club to return to the city council for additional approvals on development and community benefits agreements.
Time will remain of the essence, as the Royals intend to open a new ballpark in 2030.
“Our motivation is to find the best solution for our team, our fans, and our community,” the club said. “We’re excited by the possibilities this opportunity presents for our hometown.”
