K.C. officials are “poised to introduce a funding plan” for a downtown Royals ballpark that is “built around a specific location: Washington Square Park.” The proposal calls for a $1.9B ballpark and “surrounding district at the downtown site.” K.C. would “contribute roughly” $600M. An ordinance would authorize City Manager Mario Vasquez to “negotiate and execute a 30-year term sheet, lease, and development agreement with the team to build” the ballpark. It is “exclusive to the Washington Square Park site and intends to prohibit the Royals from soliciting proposals from other states, counties or municipalities.” The plan includes an “aggressive timeline” of being ready by Opening Day of 2030, a year before the Royals’ lease expires at Kauffman Stadium. It is “not yet clear whether the Royals will jump at the deal.” Team owner John Sherman earlier this year said that his “preference remained to land in the ‘heart’ of the city.” The ordinance will “still need to wind through the city’s legislative process,” with a committee hearing Tuesday, before city council members can vote (K.C. STAR, 4/9).
Report: K.C. to introduce funding plan for downtown Royals ballpark
