Heavy hitters see downtown stadium as linchpin

[jiveturkey]

I think that this will make it easier to accomodate a new Arrowhead. A dowtown stadium would also be a lot more fun IMO.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/

With Bistate II defeated, KC business leaders spot an opening

By KEVIN COLLISON

The Kansas City Star


The quest for a downtown ballpark is on, with the Downtown Council expected to take the first swing today and City Manager Wayne Cauthen on deck.

Cauthen was a top city official in Denver during the 1990s and saw how downtown redevelopment benefited from the construction of Coors Field. Cauthen said this week in an interview that the momentum of the current building boom in downtown Kansas City should lead people to believe similar results could be achieved here.

“I've seen it happen before,” Cauthen said. “We here in Kansas City are getting ready to experience a renaissance, and I think things tend to mushroom. When people see this and that can-do attitude that we have in the city, people will say, ‘Gosh, that's a no-brainer.' ”

The Downtown Council, an organization of influential business and property owners, plans to officially announce its support for a ballpark at its annual luncheon today at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The group commissioned a $100,000 downtown ballpark feasibility study earlier this year, but kept it under wraps at the request of supporters of the Bistate II initiative.

Bistate II would have financed extensive renovations of Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums to keep the Royals and Chiefs there under newly extended leases, but voters rejected it this month.

“Now, the Downtown Council believes that our greater community should take some time to consider other alternatives, including the possibility of a new downtown baseball park for the Kansas City Royals,” the organization said in a news release.

The group said it expected to have a full-fledged proposal that includes financing options ready to present to the Royals and the public sometime next month.

“At that time, more economic information about the concept will be made available to the public for an open community discussion of the idea,” the group said.

The endeavor faces formidable obstacles, among them: determining a politically palatable way to finance the estimated $330 million cost, persuading Jackson County to relinquish its decades-long grip on the Royals at Truman Sports Complex and convincing Royals owner David Glass it's the right move for his club over the long term.

Backers are confident they'll be able to find solutions to all those problems. They're also convinced that moving the Royals would not only be good for downtown economic development but for the team's financial future as well.

“When you look at the best interests of the ball team, it's selling tickets,” said Andi Udris, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Kansas City. “Who better to sell more tickets than downtown businesses? Employees and clients can finish their day, have dinner and go to a ballgame to cap it off.”

Glass, who was in Southern California on business, said in a telephone interview that the new initiative had caught him off-guard.

“I'm totally out of the loop on this,” he said. “But I think if there was a real plan to be considered that I would have heard about it.”

Mike Gorris, senior vice president for business operations for the Royals, said he had had discussions with downtown ballpark supporters last summer but was unaware of the renewed effort.

“Our focus has been on bistate,” Gorris said. “Now, our focus is on the master plan to determine an exact schedule of work to be done on Kauffman Stadium.”

The Downtown Council said its research had found downtown ballparks generally generate better weekday attendance than do outlying ballparks and are more attractive to corporate suite owners and corporate season ticket holders.

“These are the factors why 15 of 17 new downtown baseball parks since 1990 have been constructed as part of downtown revitalization,” the organization said.

While no potential sites are expected to be mentioned today, two locations were studied by Downtown Council consultants earlier this year. One was at the north end of the Crossroads area, around 16th and Main streets, and the other was on the north edge of the central business district, around Seventh and Wyandotte streets.

The Crossroads location already is running into opposition from some property owners in the area.

Also the Urban Society of Kansas City, a new group formed to advocate better urban planning and design in the city, wants to participate in the ballpark discussion. It is proposing to examine five potential downtown sites and make recommendations to the city.

Besides the two sites that have been studied, the Urban Society of Kansas City plans to examine potential sites at Washington Park, across from Crown Center; a site southeast of Ilus W. Davis Park on the east side of the downtown loop; and a site in the 18th and Vine area.

In a letter to Kansas City Council members, David E. Scott, the president of the Urban Society of Kansas City, said his group wanted to ensure an unbiased and public process for reviewing the concept.

“In so doing, we hope to enrich the discussion, broaden community participation and increase support for any ultimate direction taken by the city on this matter,” he wrote.

Cauthen said a crucial question confronting supporters is financing. That means deciding whether the project would be something the city could attempt on its own or whether it would have to partner with Jackson County or, perhaps, the entire metropolitan area.

The Downtown Council statement referred to the ballpark initiative as being something the “greater community” should consider, but it didn't offer specifics.

“The things I want to deal with right now are looking at the structure, what are the best taxes for us to deal with and how much of the commitment should be public versus private,” Cauthen said.

A prime potential revenue source discussed earlier this year was increasing the cigarette tax, he said, but that idea may have to be reviewed in light of the current push to ban smoking in bars and restaurants in Kansas City.

The city manager did say that if other metropolitan communities were asked to help finance a downtown ballpark, it would be appropriate for the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority to expand its board.

“We all talk about one Kansas City and regionalization,” he said.

“It's going to be important for all of us to work together as one region to make sure these amenities stay in this area.”

The consultants hired by the Downtown Council earlier this year were the Barrett Sports Group LLC of Los Angeles and Jacobs, Chase Frick, Kleinkopf & Kelly LLC, a Denver law firm.

Their credentials include work on Coors Field and on Petco Field, the new downtown ballpark in San Diego.

Cauthen also said that Rick Horrow, a national expert who was working with the city on the Sprint Center downtown arena project, also would be asked to review the proposal.

Kansas City Councilman John Fairfield, a strong supporter of downtown baseball, thinks a plan should be ready in short order to present to the public.

“I've been working with a number of individuals, fine-tuning the numbers,” he said. “We need a plan that's practical, easy for the public to understand and one we can take to the Royals. That all has to happen pretty quickly.”

As to when downtown ballpark advocates plan to talk to Glass, Cauthen said only when they're satisfied they have a strong case.

“We have to get our proposal together, get our act together … and have that meeting with Mr. Glass to tell him these are our intentions and hope there's back and forth with him.”

[Brando]

This is pretty cool too
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10111989.htm

[Brock]

Pro sports is turning into an extortion racket. This is going to get old quick.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by KCN

Here's a very rough photoshop I did w/ photos of mine from Kauffman overlaid onto the view from Washington park. Scales are off but it gives a rough idea.

That's awesome...but I'm sure they're not gonna build a replica. I love Kauffman Stadium and I'd hate seeing them play somewhere else.... unless it's really, really cool.....then I might change my mind. I'd like to see some mock-ups.

[KCN]

Originally Posted by Brock Landers

Pro sports is turning into an extortion racket. This is going to get old quick.

That's why BSII was rightfully voted down. Something needs to be done at some point though.

[KCN]

Originally Posted by beer me

That's awesome...but I'm sure they're not gonna build a replica. I love Kauffman Stadium and I'd hate seeing them play somewhere else.... unless it's really, really cool.....then I might change my mind. I'd like to see some mock-ups.

If a cookie-cutter stadium gets proposed for downtown I would not support it. However, given the way the arena designs clearly showed an attempt to incorporate KC concepts (fountains, glass etc)....I am hopeful a proposed downtown stadium would involve the same designs we love about the K...the open outfield and fountains for starters (and I think fountains in any KC venue is a given). Except instead of facing a highway, a radio tower and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes building...we possibly face Bartle Hall, a bustling entertainment district, a world war I monument and/or the tallest building in Missouri.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by kc rush

I was talking about that with my wife a couple of weeks ago. Make Union Station the hub and run the line through downtown, the Plaza, to Arrowhead, KCI, and other major points of interest. Set up park and ride locations in the burbs and also have bus stops in neighborhoods that will take you to the park and ride station.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10073638.htm

Buses to the MAX


Metro Area Express to offer new stations, rapid transit in KC

By KEVIN COLLISON

Columnist



Anyone interested in checking out what's next for Kansas City mass transit should stop by the Area Transportation Authority's offices at 1200 E. 18th St.

There, across from the authority's front entrance, is a prototype of the new Metro Area Express, or MAX, station. By July, 19 stations are expected to be operating along the route of the area's first bus rapid transit line. It will run from Waldo to the River Market, mostly along Main Street, and connect many of the major destinations in the area the mayor has labeled River Crown Plaza.

Bus rapid transit was the fallback technology embraced by the ATA after voters turned down a billion-dollar light-rail proposal in 2001. The reasoning was that a BRT system could offer similar service at a much lower cost and, if people liked it enough, pave the way for another go at light rail someday.

The key to BRT's success was to convince prospective riders this was not a slow, stop-and-go experience by using a flashier vehicle and by accelerating its timetable by limiting the number of stops, giving it a special lane and pre-empting traffic signals so it could whiz through busy intersections.

A side benefit was to encourage development along the transit route near those strategically located stations.

Because of financial concerns, however, the ATA is struggling to pursue even a light alternative to light rail.

“BRT is the poor man's version of light rail,” said Ron McLinden, a board member of the Regional Transit Alliance, an advocacy organization. “Some people might speculate we're getting the poor man's version of BRT.”

The MAX station doesn't convey a sense of something revolutionary for mass transit.

While the stainless steel and plexiglass enclosure is attractive, it doesn't appear all that different from a standard bus shelter. It's about 20 feet long, enclosed on three sides, features a single wood bench and, at this point, has a semitransparent roof that won't offer much shade.
More eye-catching and forward-looking is the 30-foot pylon next to it. It prominently identifies the stop and the kiosk at its base and displays the MAX route, a map of the adjoining neighborhood and an electronic display that informs riders when the next bus is scheduled to arrive.
However, it appears the ATA has strayed from its original intent of limiting the number of BRT stops and spacing them about one-half mile apart. Between the University of Missouri-Kansas City and 43rd and Main Streets, near St. Luke's Hospital, there are five stops in about one mile.

The route settles into having stations a half-mile apart on Main between 43rd Street and 31st Street, but then the pace slows again with a station at 29th and Main near the new Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and two stops a block apart at Pershing Road and Grand Avenue by Crown Center and Pershing and Main by Union Station.
Once it gets to the Loop, MAX has seven stops as it winds past Bartle Hall, the new arena, City Hall and the federal courthouse before crossing into the River Market, where it ends at Third Street and Grand Boulevard.

McLinden and Kite Singleton, another Transit Alliance board member, think the Loop route adds several minutes and makes it less user-friendly. If MAX stayed on Main, it would still bring people two blocks away from Bartle Hall and the new arena, and also connect with downtown's biggest transit center at 10th and Main.

Mark E. Huffer, ATA general manager, insists that MAX will be able to achieve its goal of transporting a rider from the Plaza to the new arena at 14th Street and Grand in 17 or 18 minutes.

“About all these stops will be where you want to be, and with signal pre-emption and a reserved lane, it will be time-competitive with the automobile,” he said.

MAX buses will run nine to 10 minutes apart during peak times and drop off in the evenings to every 20 minutes, although that can change for special events.

Huffer said the ATA chose the station design because it fit within the sidewalk space available to the authority. The stations will be illuminated.

Singleton thinks the authority bowed to demands from powerful interests who could not accept being skipped by MAX. He thinks MAX could trim its twists when it arrives in the downtown core because the ATA plans to launch a circulator bus that will feed it riders from throughout the Loop.

In other matters, the developer of the Wallstreet Tower condominium project is reporting he is close to lining up enough reservations to begin renovating in earnest the 20-story building at 11th and Walnut Streets. Jason Townsend said that 74 reservations had been signed and that 84 was his goal before proceeding with construction.

A kickoff party last week drew a good crowd, including Mayor Kay Barnes and other city officials.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by KCN

That's why BSII was rightfully voted down. Something needs to be done at some point though.

KC already is unable to compete financially in MLB and a new ballpark is not going to change that. What makes clubs financially solvent in MLB is vast sums of regional TV and Radio money, something KC will never ever compete in.

Building a new stadium would just be throwing away good money for no reason.

[kc rush]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

KC already is unable to compete financially in MLB and a new ballpark is not going to change that. What makes clubs financially solvent in MLB is vast sums of regional TV and Radio money, something KC will never ever compete in.

Building a new stadium would just be throwing away good money for no reason.

A new stadium would have a small affect on revenue streams to the Royals through a larger number of suites and season ticket sales. You are correct that it pales in comparison to revenue generated through media which is an inequity that baseball faces but seems intent on fixing. The luxury tax system agreed upon during the last collective bargaining agreement was the first (small) step toward true revenue sharing. It sounds like baseball owners will try and close the gap even further when negotiations for the next cba take place (2-3 years I think). Until then the Royals will need to scrape dollars together wherever they can.

Like it or not, the Royals will need a new stadium in the near future. A downtown stadium will not only lock the team to the city, but it should continue to spawn downtown redevelopment. Having a major league franchise and a vibrant downtown is attractive to companies looking to re-locate. Part of KC's problem is that they have lost many businesses looking for greener pastures, when these companies go the city loses part of its tax base. Losing corporate taxes puts additional strain on the citizens as they need to pay the taxes to keep the infrastructure alive.

Building a new stadium for the Royals may not benefit the team as much as we hope, but it should help the city, and help keep the team in town until MLB fixes its problems.

[Calcountry]

Originally Posted by Ali Chi3fs

i think it would save the Royals financially. Plus increase attendance by 5000-7000 per game. They would have to implement many of the same features, like the Royals Scoreboards, and some newly designed bad ass fountains, that is all I care about.

They might try putting a better product on the field, that would increase attendance.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by kc rush

A new stadium would have a small affect on revenue streams to the Royals through a larger number of suites and season ticket sales. You are correct that it pales in comparison to revenue generated through media which is an inequity that baseball faces but seems intent on fixing. The luxury tax system agreed upon during the last collective bargaining agreement was the first (small) step toward true revenue sharing. It sounds like baseball owners will try and close the gap even further when negotiations for the next cba take place (2-3 years I think). Until then the Royals will need to scrape dollars together wherever they can.

Like it or not, the Royals will need a new stadium in the near future. A downtown stadium will not only lock the team to the city, but it should continue to spawn downtown redevelopment. Having a major league franchise and a vibrant downtown is attractive to companies looking to re-locate. Part of KC's problem is that they have lost many businesses looking for greener pastures, when these companies go the city loses part of its tax base. Losing corporate taxes puts additional strain on the citizens as they need to pay the taxes to keep the infrastructure alive.

Building a new stadium for the Royals may not benefit the team as much as we hope, but it should help the city, and help keep the team in town until MLB fixes its problems.

baseball will never fix its problems because it only takes 4 or maybe 5 owners to block any initiative for change. The big money owners will always block the changes and keep all the revenue. The luxury tax is a pitance for the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Braves, Dodgers etc. You are dreaming if you actually believe MLB will ever be fixed. Mark my words if a downtown stadium is built in KC after the first year attendance will plummet due to inadequate highway infrastructure and parking problems. KC is a car city, it will not change in our lifetimes.

[Brando]

Originally Posted by bunnytrdr

They might try putting a better product on the field, that would increase attendance.

There is only so much that they can do with the budget they have.
They tried to put a better product out last year but it didn't happen.
I know that I would be a lot more likely to go to a weeknight game downtown.

[KCN]

Originally Posted by Vlad Logicslav

Mark my words if a downtown stadium is built in KC after the first year attendance will plummet due to inadequate highway infrastructure and parking problems. KC is a car city, it will not change in our lifetimes.

Downtown handles thousands of commuters every day just fine (relative to other cities). As if highway infrastructure is any better near TSC? It's not as if people zip on out of that parking lot....we sit there forever trying to get out. A downtown location would scatter parking among several existing and soon-to-be built garages in the area. Front page of today's star is talking about all the new garages coming to the south loop area with thousands of new spaces. On top of that, a downtown location will give fans the option of sticking around after the game so that not everyone has to leave at the exact same time.

[KCN]

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

If the Royals were to leave TSC, I'd find myself starting to be open to the idea of razing Kauffman and building a new Arrowhead there.

Either that or give the Wizards a home of their own.

[Brando]

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

fuck a Super Bowl. That would require a roof. No indoor football. Booo!

I think that Neil Smith is supposed to be working on an Arena Football team for the new Arena.

[Logical]

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Isn't the limit set so high that it's currently only a pittance for the Yankees?

I am not sure, I thought I remember that the Red Sox had to pay some as well.