In Jackson County, Missouri, absentee balloting commenced on Tuesday for a proposed sales tax aimed at financing the Kansas City Royals’ proposed relocation to a new stadium in downtown Kansas City. The official Election day is set for April 2.
The Royals are mulling over the idea of moving from their longstanding home at Kauffman Stadium at Truman Sports Complex to a new location; the Crossroads neighborhood of Kansas City near East 16th and McGee streets. Reasons supporting this potential move include attracting more fans, providing an enhanced game-day experience and increasing the Royals’ visibility within the community. However, discussions and evaluations are ongoing.
The Royals’ relocation would involve acquiring about 40 properties owned by more than 20 different groups. This has sparked apprehensions among the resident businesses who have leaseholds on these properties. According to property laws, leasehold rights will be transferred to the Royals once they acquire these properties, and they will have latitude to let the leases expire, offer buyouts, or orchestrate early terminations.
The targeted start season in the new location is 2028, meaning demolition and construction could span months or even years, with some existing leases naturally expiring before then. State-of-the-art facilities and amenities will be integrated into the new stadium’s design, prioritizing environmental sustainability alongside aesthetics.
Despite this, concerns mount among affected residents, with criticisms from public groups and tenants like Mat Adkins voicing their unease. Conversely, the Kansas City Chiefs NFL team supports the proposed relocation, anticipating a potential financial benefit for their own home field upgrades. More concrete details regarding this aspect are yet to be revealed.
