The Kansas City Council on Thursday allocated $600 million in public funding toward the construction of a new downtown ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.
The project would reconfigure the iconic Crown Center neighborhood, including Hallmark’s corporate headquarters, into what supporters hope will be a hub of entertainment, retail and tourist activity anchored by a state-of-the-art stadium.
The final vote on the deal was 11-2. Kansas City Councilmember Crispin Rea was among the supporters, and says the deal is a huge accomplishment for the city.
"It's one of those things that I think we will look back on as another transformational moment," Rea told KCUR's Up To Date. "I've felt like Kansas City has been in this renaissance since probably about 2012. I actually pinpoint the (MLB) All Star Game as a point where I feel that our civic pride and investment and so many things just started feeling different, and we've been able to accomplish some big things and and do a lot for our residents."
Rea noted that there is still a lot of work to do on the stadium, including the submission of a master development plan by the Royals organization for the council's approval.
There is also a community impact agreement in the deal that will commit the Royals to a minimum of $55 million over 30 years toward community improvements, to "foster “connectivity with downtown Kansas City and the broader Kansas City region.”
Some community organizations, such as Missouri Workers Power, have criticized both the funding deal and the quick process in passing it.
Councilmember Johnathan Duncan, who voted "no" on the deal Thursday, told KCUR last week that it wasn't "morally or ethically correct" to withhold this issue from a public vote. He argued the deal was being fast-tracked specifically to avoid a vote.
However, Rea doesn't think that is an accurate assessment.
"I don't agree with that. You know, there is important work that needs to be done on this project," Rea said. "You know, the alternative of delaying important city work while something is pending in that way, I just don't think the city has an obligation to its residents, to our residents, to do that."
In 2024, Jackson County voters shot down the continuation of a stadium sales tax that would have helped fund a new Royals ballpark.
