Kansas City begins talk and studies for downtown ballpark

[Titty Meat]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/polit...177058541.html

The city of Kansas City is funding a study of at least four potential sites for a downtown baseball stadium for the Kansas City Royals, according to documents obtained by The Star.

A series of emails shows that Kansas City Manager Troy Schulte was involved in funding studies of four sites within the downtown loop that might be suitable for a baseball stadium.

Two of those sites, according to slides prepared by architecture firm HOK, are immediately adjacent to the Sprint Center, one to the north and one to the east.

Another site is East Village, several blocks of mostly undeveloped land and surface parking lots east of City Hall. A fourth site would involve several blocks of mostly surface parking lots beginning at the northwest corner of 8th and Main streets.

Others involved in the planning include Jon Copaken, principal with real estate development firm Copaken-Brooks, the Downtown Council of Kansas City, JE Dunn, The Cordish Co. and Tower Properties.

Schulte said the studies started after the Downtown Council approached City Hall about the feasibility of downtown baseball. Schulte added that he agreed to help fund a study to consider whether the four sites would work so that the city could plan ahead if the idea gained momentum.

“At this point it’s nothing more than hopes and dreams and discussions,” Schulte said.

A May 12 email from Copaken obtained by The Star suggested that conversations with the Royals and Jackson County have started.

“[T]he studies are underway, invoices are out, conversations from the County and the team are actually heading in the right way and we are sufficiently in the loop to know that real progress is being achieved,” Copaken wrote.

Kevin Uhlich, senior vice president of business operations for the Royals, said he had been contacted about downtown baseball stadium proposals earlier this year.

[Deberg_1990]

Have they even identified potential locations? Is there even space? Or will they have to buyout some property and relocate some people? This has happened in other cities.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Have they even identified potential locations? Is there even space? Or will they have to buyout some property and relocate some people? This has happened in other cities.

Oops. I failed to read the entire story. Looks like they have

[Dayze]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

After game 2 of the WS, the wife and I were in the shuttle to the terminal after dropping off the rental car at KCI. There was a Mets fan beside us, total NY baseball dork, 50's, glasses, heavy accent. He was on his phone and the conversation went something like:

You wouldn't believe it, ma. There were just rows of cars and they just sat behind them cooking their food. NO, MA! In the parking lot, cooking their food! Smoke everywhere! NO INSIDE THE PARKING LOT, MA!

[Spott]

Sounds like perfect timing. The Royals are starting to go back to the old Royals, so they might as well give fans another reason not to go to the games.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I'm sure those with the actual data from all the downtown stadiums out there and actual dollar amounts for stuff like parking should be able to figure it out. I'm sure P&L would do much better with a professional team nearby, since of course all the original projections were counting on one. I have no clue how much better/worse (if any change) they'd do at the gate or with renting out suites or whatever downtown. I think it would be great for fans and don't think it would be bad for the Royals, but yay capitalism, none of that matters.

That said, I'm personally not a fan of publicly funding millionaires to completely replace stadiums that are perfectly fine for the sole purpose of making more money...... but, until that scam ends, the K will "need" to be replaced eventually and I think downtown would be a great spot.

We were once told that P&L district was what was going to revitalize downtown. Now we're talking about maybe a new stadium will help P&L. The P&L district hit local taxpayers hard, and the businesses haven't come close to paying back the debts.

Despite large Power & Light District crowds, taxpayers are still on the hook

[...]

Turns out, though, that even with all that, Kansas City taxpayers are still on the hook for millions of dollars in subsidies for the district, and will be for years to come.

“I don’t think there will be a point at any time in the foreseeable future, probably the next 20 years, where it actually pays for itself,” acknowledged City Manager Troy Schulte.

[...]

Back in 2006, the city issued $295 million in bonds to help the Cordish Co. of Baltimore build the seven-block entertainment district. About two-thirds of that funding was for site acquisition, parking garages and other public infrastructure, including sewers and streets.

The city guaranteed the debt, but the consulting firm C.H. Johnson estimated the district itself would generate $18 million to $20 million in taxes to cover that annual debt service.

It didn’t come close. The district opened later than anticipated, just prior to the collapse of the nation’s economy. It took longer to lease than expected. Sales, property and earnings tax revenues to help pay the debt have ranged from $4.5 million to $5.4 million in recent years, according to the city.

But, Schulte noted, that’s only about 25 to 30 percent of what’s needed each year. Taxpayers are covering the rest.

In fiscal year 2014, which ended April 30, the total debt service was $19.6 million but the district only generated $4.7 million, so taxpayers picked up the $14.9 million tab. That’s money that wasn’t available for police, fire, code enforcement and other services.

Last year, the city refinanced the debt, which lowered the payments from 2015 through 2019 but extended the debt schedule from 2033 to 2040. The district is estimated to generate $5.4 million this fiscal year and the taxpayer obligation is projected to be $8.5 million. Next fiscal year, the district is projected to generate $5.5 million, meaning the city will have to pitch in $9.5 million.

The debt service bumps back up by 2020 and extends out for years.

The 2014 sales results show just how far off the original projections were, Schulte said. The district would need many World Series crowds to fully cover the bond payments.

“You needed Plaza-level holiday-level sales every day of the year,” said Schulte, who was not city manager when the Power & Light District city obligation was approved.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/polit...le9530081.html

I'm not seeing how doubling down with a huge new project, in an area that's already way in debt and failing to live up to its promises, is a good idea. Especially considering that we just renovated Kauffman, which we taxpayers financed as well...

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

After game 2 of the WS, the wife and I were in the shuttle to the terminal after dropping off the rental car at KCI. There was a Mets fan beside us, total NY baseball dork, 50's, glasses, heavy accent. He was on his phone and the conversation went something like:

You wouldn't believe it, ma. There were just rows of cars and they just sat behind them cooking their food. NO, MA! In the parking lot, cooking their food! Smoke everywhere! NO INSIDE THE PARKING LOT, MA!

I guess he has never been to the Meadowlands for a football game.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

I guess he has never been to the Meadowlands for a football game.

He looked purley like a baseball guy. The kind with headphones listening to the radio broadcast while scoring the game.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Fish

We were once told that P&L district was what was going to revitalize downtown. Now we're talking about maybe a new stadium will help P&L. The P&L district hit local taxpayers hard, and the businesses haven't come close to paying back the debts.



I'm not seeing how doubling down with a huge new project, in an area that's already way in debt and failing to live up to its promises, is a good idea. Especially considering that we just renovated Kauffman, which we taxpayers financed as well...

Exactly!

Anyone that believes the leaders in KC can build a more beautiful and accessible stadium at P@L is delusional. I have been to many ballparks and the K is the best.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

I guess he has never been to the Meadowlands for a football game.

I have and it's lame.

I saw more people tailgating at a Rams game last year than at a Chiefs-Jets game at the Meadowlands.

Rams.

[BlackHelicopters]

Going into more debt to get out of debt? Which corrupt left wing idiot suggested this?

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Sign me up, I'll vote for it. Mind you, we have morons that'll point to places like the Legends and P&L being an abject failure, and they'll pump that fake news 24x7...

That being said, I'd still love to see it moved downtown. Perhaps the Berkley Riverfront area is an option. It's not downtown, but downtown people could walk there. Parking could be added there too, and perhaps players could hit balls into the River..

Well, maybe point it the other way... not sure a view of the river and NKC is the best backdrop. They could still hit foul balls into the river though?

[HonestChieffan]

Like all ideas generated by the Mayors office, city council, or talk radio....this is pure ignorant.

[007]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

You'll go and you know it! It's going to be freaking awesome...

Man, I'd ask them to make a "Businessman's" STH package! If I couldn't make it, you give the ticket to somebody in the office..

You underestimate my resolve. I went to one concert at sprint center and have never been back.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Well, maybe point it the other way... not sure a view of the river and NKC is the best backdrop. They could still hit foul balls into the river though?

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by 007

You underestimate my resolve. I went to one concert at sprint center and have never been back.