County hears about $70 million in further renovations for Arrowhead Stadium
http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/993022.html
The Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday offered some new specifics about an additional $70 million in improvements to Arrowhead Stadium and common areas at the Truman Sports Complex.
None of those costs would be paid by Jackson County taxpayers, representatives of the Chiefs stressed in a presentation Tuesday before the Jackson County Legislature.
“This does not expand the county’s responsibility at all,” said Ken Spain, a Kansas City attorney representing the Chiefs.
Spain explained that the extra construction costs — above the $250 million approved by county taxpayers — are being paid by the Hunt family and newly approved tax credits granted by the state of Missouri.
The legislature approved the resolution detailing the Chiefs’ improvement plans.
Many Arrowhead improvements will be finished this year. The improvements to be completed by August 2010 include:
•$15.5 million to expand the scope of Arrowhead’s upper deck, widening it far beyond originally planned with additional concession stands and more public gathering places.
•$4.77 million to increase from eight to 18 the number of elevators for people with disabilities.
•$4.19 million to expand the Hall of Honor.
The other common-area improvements presented Tuesday included $6.2 million for parking lot and road repairs; $7.3 million in concrete coatings; and nearly $400,000 to improve drainage on ramps.
Spain described the expenses as unanticipated ones discovered after the original scope of the project had been set.
Jackson County owns Arrowhead and leases it to the Chiefs.
In 2006, county voters approved a 3/8 -cent sales tax to raise about $250 million for improvements at Arrowhead and $250 million for Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals have pledged to contribute $25 million toward their stadium renovation.
In August 2007, the Hunt family pledged an additional $50 million toward Arrowhead improvements.
In December, the Missouri Development Finance Board approved $25 million in state tax credits to the Chiefs.
Spain said the Chiefs plan to spend up to $10 million on a new indoor training facility at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, where it will hold training camp, in addition to the improvements detailed Tuesday.
The legislature on Tuesday also improved what was described as a technical change in the sale of $447 million in bonds approved by voters for the stadium improvements.