A Kansas City Council Committee continues to debate the future of Kemper Arena. And this week's developments included a staff report, a consultant's opinion and a letter with a lot of signatures.
A consulting firm hired by the city filed a report saying a Foutch Brothers proposal to convert Kemper to a youth sports facility was dynamic and achievable, though challenging in part.
From those who side with the American Royal Association and would tear down the arena came a letter of endorsement signed by 75 business and civic leaders.
The city staff report detailed numbers that show the present complex losing $1.6 million a year and needing $24 million in repairs, which councilman Ed Ford said makes the American Royal's plan to build a new arena look attractive at the bottom line.
“Their proposal for how the city could finance $25 million plus a million subsidy is actually less than what it's costing us now,” said Ford.
Ford says the Plans Zoning and Economic Development Committee will hold at least two more sessions on the subject before making any recommendations.
