Royals Kansas City begins talk and studies for downtown ballpark - Page 9

Titty Meat · 10-04-2017, 04:51 PM

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.

tk13 · 10-05-2017, 08:18 PM

I've been to a lot of baseball stadiums, and I do think the K is one of the best places to watch a game. I actually go to games to watch the games. Most people who push for a downtown stadium want it so they can go to a bar near the stadium. And that's fine and all, but it really has zip to do with baseball. So from that end I'm fine with the K just where it is.

The atmosphere around downtown stadiums are pretty fun. There's for sure a 100% solid argument for doing it in KC too. That said, I think a lot of the successful ones have better public transportation options than what KC does though. The Twins on here being a great example. That's a great ballpark in a great location. But...you can take a light rail train from St. Paul or the Mall of America and go to the games. There's no way in heck you're going to convince anyone to build a light rail to Independence or Olathe. For me that's the biggest obstacle.

**Bearcat** · 10-05-2017, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

800,000 > 27,000 to 30,000 on a normal Royals game really good comparison there.

Uh, yeah.

Hell, Sprint Center holds almost 19,000 and it's really easy to get in and out of downtown, even when it's packed. Another 10k or even 20k isn't going leave people stranded on the highway.

The DBack's stadium is great... we parked close to the stadium last night and had no issues with traffic (besides the normal 3pm traffic in the area prior to the game). They have a TGI Fridays that is open all year, and the restaurant has it's own small section with full table service. There's also a gym at ground level for people who live in the area, and probably other stuff I haven't noticed.

**SAUTO** · 10-05-2017, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

The best site for a downtown ballpark isn't even on the study - 19th and Oak. Downtown, Crossroads and Crown Center area all meet.

I agree

**Bearcat** · 10-05-2017, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

The best site for a downtown ballpark isn't even on the study - 19th and Oak. Downtown, Crossroads and Crown Center area all meet.

Hmm, seems pretty perfect from a traffic standpoint, with 19th going west for 35S, 19th going east for 71, then multiple ways to get on 670... and a light rail stop.

You should run for mayor.

Fish · 10-05-2017, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

800,000 > 27,000 to 30,000 on a normal Royals game really good comparison there.

The crowd at the parade was not anything close to 800,000.

Regardless, you're neglecting how much that would actually change parking and navigating to the hypothetical downtown stadium. Currently, the Royals enjoy a Jackson County Sports Complex contract with Jackson County that brings in untold millions of dollars in parking fees for the Royals. It provides convenient access onto I-70/435/Hwy 40/Blue Ridge for fans. Which still requires several hours for 30K-40K fans to enter/exit. They receive profit for every single car parking for the game. The public can show up at any specific gate, and be guaranteed a parking spot, and are directed to the location without having to search around for a spot.

You're asking them to switch from that to who knows WTF parking downtown all over left up to the public, which the Royals would not have anything close to complete control over, while also giving up food concession, beer sales, and product sales to nearby restaurants, while disregarding what is already a poorly accessible area with regards to highway access. WTF is in it financially for the Royals to move?

Discuss Thrower · 10-05-2017, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

The crowd at the parade was not anything close to 800,000.

Regardless, you're neglecting how much that would actually change parking and navigating to the hypothetical downtown stadium. Currently, the Royals enjoy a Jackson County Sports Complex contract with Jackson County that brings in untold millions of dollars in parking fees for the Royals. It provides convenient access onto I-70/435/Hwy 40/Blue Ridge for fans. Which still requires several hours for 30K-40K fans to enter/exit. They receive profit for every single car parking for the game. The public can show up at any specific gate, and be guaranteed a parking spot, and are directed to the location without having to search around for a spot.

You're asking them to switch from that to who knows WTF parking downtown all over left up to the public, which the Royals would not have anything close to complete control over, while also giving up food concession, beer sales, and product sales to nearby restaurants, while disregarding what is already a poorly accessible area with regards to highway access. WTF is in it financially for the Royals to move?

Smaller stadium with fewer seats that can be sold for a higher premium than currently is the case?

Fish · 10-05-2017, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Smaller stadium with fewer seats that can be sold for a higher premium than currently is the case?

Most likely, but then I'd question whether that's in the best interest of Joe Royal's Fan.

Regardless, when you're talking about $15 for Royals general parking permit, vs. a ticket price and certain loss of parking income, is it really worth it?

JoeyChuckles · 10-05-2017, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Smaller stadium with fewer seats that can be sold for a higher premium than currently is the case?

Also more walk-ups from people leaving work or just downtown in general.

I think people around here are really scared of change for some reason, and I can't quite figure out why. It's the same discussion as the airport. The only argument I've heard for either is "convenience", which basically means "don't change it because I like it the way it is".

**Bearcat** · 10-05-2017, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

The crowd at the parade was not anything close to 800,000.

Regardless, you're neglecting how much that would actually change parking and navigating to the hypothetical downtown stadium. Currently, the Royals enjoy a Jackson County Sports Complex contract with Jackson County that brings in untold millions of dollars in parking fees for the Royals. It provides convenient access onto I-70/435/Hwy 40/Blue Ridge for fans. Which still requires several hours for 30K-40K fans to enter/exit. They receive profit for every single car parking for the game. The public can show up at any specific gate, and be guaranteed a parking spot, and are directed to the location without having to search around for a spot.

You're asking them to switch from that to who knows WTF parking downtown all over left up to the public, which the Royals would not have anything close to complete control over, while also giving up food concession, beer sales, and product sales to nearby restaurants, while disregarding what is already a poorly accessible area with regards to highway access. WTF is in it financially for the Royals to move?

Several hours to enter/exit a Royals game at the K? What?

Not sure they'd give up that much in food/drink sales... a lot of people currently tailgate before and some after. There are several places around Chase Field for food and beer, and their concession lines have sucked the couple times I've tried to get food and/or beer.

And downtown would be fine in terms of traffic, a lot of suburbanites would have to get over their fear of downtown.

I've heard a lot of different things about who gets parking money now... would be a little interesting to know actual dollar amounts, and I assume the Royals could also buy space for their own parking... of course not 40,000 spots though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyChuckles

Also more walk-ups from people leaving work or just downtown in general.

Good point, it's more of a night out or out of convenience instead of making the night all about going out to TSC.

Fish · 10-05-2017, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Several hours to enter/exit a Royals game at the K? What?

Not sure they'd give up that much in food/drink sales... a lot of people currently tailgate before and some after. There are several places around Chase Field for food and beer, and their concession lines have sucked the couple times I've tried to get food and/or beer.

And downtown would be fine in terms of traffic, a lot of suburbanites would have to get over their fear of downtown.

I've heard a lot of different things about who gets parking money now... would be a little interesting to know actual dollar amounts, and I assume the Royals could also buy space for their own parking... of course not 40,000 spots though.

Good point, it's more of a night out or out of convenience instead of making the night all about going out to TSC.

Again, what reasoning would the Royals organization have for dumping their current setup and moving to this? Especially considering how much the Power & Light project has financially flopped and cost taxpayers infinitely more than expected while providing way below anticipated returns?

GloryDayz · 10-05-2017, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Again, what reasoning would the Royals organization have for dumping their current setup and moving to this? Especially considering how much the Power & Light project has financially flopped and cost taxpayers infinitely more than expected while providing way below anticipated returns?

LOL, I've lived through the downtown makeover, it's a huge success.

ChiefsCountry · 10-05-2017, 09:50 PM

Sprint Center is printing money.

Fairplay · 10-05-2017, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Again, what reasoning would the Royals organization have for dumping their current setup and moving to this? Especially considering how much the Power & Light project has financially flopped and cost taxpayers infinitely more than expected while providing way below anticipated returns?

It would be a mistake and the only reason it would be moved is the Sprint center area and KC wants money to flow there, all political Fish.

tk13 · 10-05-2017, 09:52 PM

The Royals would probably consider the loss of parking fees when considering any proposal the city makes. But I'm sure they could find a way to roll that into ticket prices. Going to a game downtown would likely be a more expensive evening, unless they do come up with some kind of serious public transportation plan.

I highly doubt they'd make a new stadium even smaller. The K already has the one of the smallest capacities in the league.

Discuss Thrower · 10-05-2017, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Most likely, but then I'd question whether that's in the best interest of Joe Royal's Fan.

Regardless, when you're talking about $15 for Royals general parking permit, vs. a ticket price and certain loss of parking income, is it really worth it?

You'd have to be certain a very large portion of that $15 goes to the Glass family and not split somewhat evenly with Jackson County.

The interest of Joe Royals Fan is pretty irrelevant, however.

10-04-2017, 04:51 PM
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $2017558	Kansas City begins talk and studies for downtown ballpark 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.
Posts: 75,442

10-05-2017, 08:18 PM	#121
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1742500	I've been to a lot of baseball stadiums, and I do think the K is one of the best places to watch a game. I actually go to games to watch the games. Most people who push for a downtown stadium want it so they can go to a bar near the stadium. And that's fine and all, but it really has zip to do with baseball. So from that end I'm fine with the K just where it is. The atmosphere around downtown stadiums are pretty fun. There's for sure a 100% solid argument for doing it in KC too. That said, I think a lot of the successful ones have better public transportation options than what KC does though. The Twins on here being a great example. That's a great ballpark in a great location. But...you can take a light rail train from St. Paul or the Mall of America and go to the games. There's no way in heck you're going to convince anyone to build a light rail to Independence or Olathe. For me that's the biggest obstacle.
Posts: 54,986

10-05-2017, 09:50 PM	#132
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2058752	Sprint Center is printing money.
Posts: 49,745

10-05-2017, 09:52 PM	#134
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1742500	The Royals would probably consider the loss of parking fees when considering any proposal the city makes. But I'm sure they could find a way to roll that into ticket prices. Going to a game downtown would likely be a more expensive evening, unless they do come up with some kind of serious public transportation plan. I highly doubt they'd make a new stadium even smaller. The K already has the one of the smallest capacities in the league.
Posts: 54,986