Kansas City Council

The Kansas City Council voted 11-2 to commit $600 million to the Royals for a new ballpark. Here’s a look at the political and financial math behind the deal.

Some residents of North Lawn properties in Kansas City’s North Indian Mound neighborhood were forced to leave and relocate Friday morning, some into already occupied units.

After the Kansas City Council approved $600 million in funding for a new Crown Center ballpark on Thursday, Councilmember Crispin Rea called the deal a major accomplishment for the city. It will hold the Royals to $55 million over 30 years for community improvements, but some community groups say that's not enough — and want a public vote.

After several hours of debate and testimony, Kansas City Council's finance committee approved two ordinances that dedicate $600 million in city funding and rezone land for a Crown Center ballpark. Critics remain furious the cost to taxpayers won't get a public vote.

After Kansas City Council repealed an ordinance mandating the city make emergency repairs at North Lawn apartments, lawmakers directed the city manager to strike an agreement with the complex's new owner to make the repairs instead. Organized tenants, meanwhile, say they’re still living in deplorable conditions.

Kansas City could approve a deal with the Royals within the next two weeks. But the public still doesn’t know where the $600 million will come from or whether the city was successful in negotiating community benefits.

The 6th district councilmember told KCUR's Up To Date on Thursday that his constituents want the city to negotiate a stadium deal that is more beneficial to residents. He said they also want more transparency from Kansas City's leaders.

The city council approved a plan to repeal the city’s 45-year-old Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program after a lawsuit from Missouri’s attorney general alleged discrimination against white men. Business owners want input on the new small-business program meant to replace it.

The Kansas City Plan Commission unanimously blocked a motion for a 384-foot data center on top of a historic building in the Quality Hill neighborhood. Community groups want a total ban on future data centers.

The city passed legislation that limits speeds for electronic mobility devices and creates an age limit for some higher speed vehicles. Advocates helped create the ordinance, but worry about some changes the city council made to the rules.

A Miami-based developer submitted a proposal to replace a historic building in downtown Kansas City with a 20-story data center. Then they worked with a Georgia-based organization to attach a preservation easement on the building. Residents worry it’s a fishy way to win tax incentives.

Question 3 on the Aug. 4 election asks Kansas City voters to extend the 1/8-cent Central City Economic Development tax that helps fund projects in the urban core.