In a word, no…
Not all locals worship at the altar of former Star business writer/downtown ballpark cheerleader Kevin Collison and the Kansas City Royals.
For years Collison – reduced to blogging now – was the poster child for campaigning for the Royals to bail on The K and move downtown. Yet, despite his heaping helpings of hype, to many, a downtown ballpark was the last thing Kansas City wanted, let alone needed.
In part because, block after block of towering stadium walls doesn’t paint a very pretty picture. Actually, the opposite. Add in crime stats suburbanites find worrisome, tight parking, and the team’s limited prospects of achieving playoff success – plus zillions in public tax dollars and many see it a lose-lose deal.
Take Westport business leader Bill Nigro…
“Downtown’s doing fine and our current ballpark is world class,” he says. “Everybody that drives by our stadium now, the first thing out of their mouths is, ‘Wow!’ And if they go by at night, it’s, triple wow.”
To former KC councilwoman Becky Nace, it’s about a millionaire owner wanting to roll the dice with public money – by floating romantic imagery past clued out voters – who don’t have much of an idea what’s truly at stake.
Outside of aging baseball fans and supporters like former Entercom radio main man Bob Zuroweste and Collison, does a downtown ballpark make sense?
“It doesn’t, we don’t need it,” Nace says. “They’ll have to bulldoze 20 or 30 buildings in the Crossroads to build this and everybody’s property tax is going to go up.”
The top Reasons Not to Build a Downtown Ballpark:
“The Royals stadium is beautiful and nationally recognized,” Nace says. “So it’s a waste of money. And you’re not gaining anything when you move it from one part of Kansas City to another. In doing so, you’re choosing winners and losers. Thirdly, anyone who knows downtown, knows that parking is a problem. So when you go down there, you’re going to be on a mission to see where you can park. They are being intellectually dishonest to say there will be no problems.”
The single best thing about going downtown?
“Honestly, I can’t think of one good thing about moving downtown,” Nace says. “Doing it is for (Royals owners) to get tax breaks and incentives to further develop downtown. I think between taxpayers that are over taxed and fans who don’t want to go downtown for a game because of the parking, traffic and crime – they’re afraid of having to find parking, walking at night and getting vandalized or mugged.”
This much I can tell you, after years of going to events downtown like the Home Show and Auto Show, I’ve seen row after row of cars near Bartle Hall and the Kauffman Center that were broken into or vandalized in broad daylight…on sunny Sunday afternoons.
“I don’t go to those games, so I really don’t care,” says Sutherland Lumber scion Dwight Sutherland.
“Maybe it would help downtown Kansas City some, but downtown’s already doing fine. And our current ballpark is World Class.”
Then there’s the school of thought among sports economists – most of whom oppose subsidizing stadiums – that argue it diverts funds from other needs, like infrastructure, public education, and other projects commonly funded by state and local governments. And that the economic impact of sports stadiums are exaggerated because of failing to recognize opportunity costs.
On top of that, Nigro is suspicious of Royals motives.
“Somebody’s going to make a lot of money,” he adds. “The team’s owner John Sherman is the one who wants the new ballpark, because he wants the tax breaks to develop the area around the stadium.”
The scary part, says Nace:
If the stadium issue passes April 2nd, Sherman will start finding and building a new downtown ballpark.
“They don’t even have any property now,” she adds. “They’ll have to start the process. So it’s kind of like writing a blank check.”
Columnist insert: After years of attending events downtown like the Home Show and Auto Show, I’ve seen row after row of cars parked near Bartle Hall and the Kauffman Center that that were broken into or vandalized in broad daylight.
“I don’t go to those games, so I really don’t care,” says Sutherland Lumber scion Dwight Sutherland. “Maybe it would help downtown Kansas City some, but downtown’s already doing fine. And our current ballpark is World Class.”
Then there’s the school of thought among professional sports, economists, most of whom oppose subsidizing stadiums. They argue it diverts funds from other needs, like infrastructure, public education, and other projects commonly funded by state and local governments. And that the economic impact of sports stadiums are exaggerated because of failing to recognize opportunity costs.
Nigro’s also suspicious of the Royals motives.
“Somebody’s going to make a lot of money,” he adds. “The team’s owner John Sherman is the one who wants the new ballpark, because he wants the tax breaks to develop the area around the stadium.”
The scary part, according to Nace:
If the stadium issue passes April 2nd, Sherman will start finding and building a new downtown ballpark.
“They don’t even have any property now,” she adds. “They’ll have to start the process. So it’s kind of like writing a blank check.”
: After years of attending events downtown like the Home and Auto Shows, I’ve seen row after row of cars near Bartle Hall and the Kauffman Center that that were broken into or vandalized in broad daylight.
“I don’t go to those games, so I really don’t care,” says Sutherland Lumber scion Dwight Sutherland. “Maybe it would help downtown Kansas City some, but downtown’s already doing fine. And our current ballpark is World Class.”
Then there’s the school of thought among professional sports, economists, most of whom oppose subsidizing stadiums. They argue that it diverts funds from other needs, like infrastructure, public education, and other projects commonly funded by state and local governments. And that the economic impact of sports stadiums are exaggerated because of failing to recognize opportunity costs.
Nigro’s suspicious of the Royals motives.
“Somebody’s going to make a lot of money,” Nigro adds. “The team’s owner John Sherman is the one who wants the new ballpark, because he wants the tax breaks to develop the area around the stadium.”
Now the scary part, according to Nace:
If the stadium issue passes April 2nd, Sherman will start finding and building a new downtown ballpark.
“They don’t even have any property now,” Nace adds. “They’ll have to start the process. So it’s kind of like writing a blank check.”
I really don’t have a dog in the fight because I just don’t go to many Royals games. Not a big fan of $13 beers. That aside, I think a downtown stadium would be pretty spectacular. Sometimes you do things because you want to, not because you need to. A lot of these things are the price of having Pro sports teams in your city. People’s toes get stepped on, tax breaks are given to billionaires and the wrecking ball starts swinging. It’s not unlike our government. Build it, don’t build it. I’m not going to lose sleep either way. (Except maybe missing out on the steel detailing on another stadium)
Pretty much feel the same way. I don’t go to Royals games now because…A) Tickets are too expensive for how bad the team sucks. B) They rob you for parking. C) There is nothing else to do pre or post game near the stadium.
The whole “crime” argument is largely b.s. I’ve gone to multiple night baseball games in St. Louis..a city with a FAR worse crime problem than KC, and never had or saw any issues. Their Ballpark Village area is nothing short of spectacular and alot of fun. As far as KC goes, my wife and I (both in our 50’s) love going downtown and hitting different bars and restaraunts. As recently as this past weekend, we parked over by Anton’s on Main St. and walked over to P&L for some drinks. Hung out at McFadden’s for awhile, which was hopping because Drake was playing across the street at TMobile. We walked back to our car, stopping at Streetcar Grille and Tavern for some more drinks and a delicious french dip sandwich. We do this sort of downtown trip at least once a month. So this whole “crime” issue is a load of b.s.
I dunno guy…
Anecdotal evidence is certainly interesting, but not unto itself, conclusive.
For example, I mentioned driving downtown on Sunday afternoons when there were events at Bartle and see entire rows of parked cars with windows broken out.
Hey, they didn’t get me, but it very much happened. The shooting near Union Station didn’t kill a lot of people, but it did one…and others were hit, I think.
I seriously doubt zillions of cars would likely be damaged / broken into at Royals Stadium. But I’ll wager some have and well may have been some gunplay here and there.
That said, my money is on those type of things going on far more downtown that in the parking lot outside Royals games.
I think it’s great that you and your wife party downtown and have not been mugged. But I’ll wager there are far and away more police reports where someone was mugged.
That’s not to say, people need to remain in hiding. But when you have a beautiful, safe, easy to get to and park place like THE K and a small market team like the Royals that are unlikely to be playoff excellent very often and you decide to spend tens of millions or more recreating a new stadium at taxpayer expense in a sport that is dying relative to, say, football – where the vast majority of the 100 plus games they play do not particularly matter that much, does the make much if any sense?
Just asking…
Wait, hold on. I want to address a statement you made above. “I think it’s great that you and your wife party downtown and have not been mugged. But I’ll wager there are far and away more police reports where someone was mugged.” A) No shit, Sherlock. Why would someone file a police report if they WEREN’T mugged? B) Are you saying that most people that go downtown and barhop, go to a concert, etc. get mugged? Because I’m willing to bet that 99% of the people that go to downtown KC don’t get mugged.
Now on whether or not to build the stadium…I frankly don’t care what they do, as long as I’m not taxed for it. Let the billionaire’s build their own stadium.
I’m with ya on who pays for it…
If you’re a resident of the state of Missouri you will be paying for a sizable part of it through state tax dollars.
Interesting, Guy. My wife and I are in our 60’s. We, too, get out and about once a month or so for what we call day trippers. There’s typically a stop at Pryde’s to buy more shit I don’t need for my kitchen, a small pub crawl of 303, The Zoo Bar, The Ship, Yardhouse, etc. We’ll grab some lunch somewhere in the P&L before heading back to the “correct” side of the river. haha
I’m I constantly aware of my surroundings? Sure. But, that’s everywhere and I’ve always done that. My only “no go” are the big crowds. Parades, festivals, etc. People, in general, are assholes. People in big crowds are big assholes. So, no thanks.
Cheers!
Who doesn’t love Pryde’s that knows it exists!
If you’re a cook, you know it exists.
Pro Tip: Go to Pryde’s before 2 martinis at 303. The other way around results in copious amounts of stuff from Pryde’s.
Lisa Lopez-Galvan thought it was safe to go downtown along with 20 or so other people for a parade. I mean how more innocent and family orientated can a parade be?
Erin Langhofer thought it was safe to go downtown on a Friday night.
Look at the number of people who use to think it was safe to be at Crown Center?
Care to guess how many have been shot or killed around the P&L and T-Mobile Center? No probably not.
Just because it does not happen to you does not mean it isn’t happening. Count your blessings you have survived. But the kids of Lisa Lopez-Galvan will not agree with the it’s safe to go downtown crew at all if ever.
It isn’t largely BS, it’s factual and very real what’s happening.
John Sherman is nothing but an egoistic jealous man and I’ll stop there before I use words that get me banned. Sherman wants “HIS” own stadium bearing his name and not have a team located in a stadium named after a true entrepreneur of Kansas City. The Kauffman family has done many good things for Kansas City and I have yet to hear one thing Sherman good has done.
I lost interest in the Royals way back way back in the big MLB strike. That being said those who do like baseball should have a good stadium to watch such at live if they want. Kauffman stadium is a first class ballpark and with some touch ups here and there to make it a even better ball park could be done. I can’t drive either direction on I-70 without looking over at the ballpark as it is a wonderful site to behold day or night. I never drive on the loop downtown and think it’s a wonderful site to behold and a ballpark won’t change that feeling at all. In fact the ballpark moving downtown will make me more than likely to go downtown even less.
Sherman, heavy construction unions and developers with real estate people thrown in are who’s pushing for this downtown park. Then you have 12th and Oak getting all wet and giddy thinking of another bright and shiny toy being built like the new KCI that won’t improve a thing and only saddle the taxpayers with costs for 50 years if not more.
Kansas City needs to step back and take care of what they already have. The city of fountains! Have you taken a good look at some of our fountains of late? The P&L Dist is living on taxpayers support that draws crowds only certain times of the year. The Plaza is dying because the city is doing nothing to clean up and bring the surrounding neighborhood back to what it was same as the Westport area.
People don’t want to go to areas that have huge crime issues. Do we have world class police protection here in Kansas City? Hell no just read the news and watch JPB sitting on her hands not doing the job she somehow keeps getting elected to. Thugs and gangs are taking over too many areas of Kansas City. (Yes Lucas I said THUGs) KCPD is understaffed and current staff overworked. A new ball park will not at all fix the crime issue at all only make it easier for the thugs to operate.
Now lets look at the millions upon millions looking to be spent for the white elephant ballpark. Just think how well that money could be used to fix and clean up all the things that once made Kansas City great. For the love of God I don’t understand how the city of Kansas City keeps election after election voting in my opinion candidates lacking huge experience to do the job while those who have what it takes to be a leader never seek to get elected. Why is that?
Sherman needs to be told to go pound sand. If he wants to build a new park then he can do so with his money or with money he borrows from lenders just the same as you and I do.
The taxpayers of Kansas City need to be relieved of helping those who are rich already wanting tax dollars to get richer. Cut the purse strings from the taxpayers who are tired of footing the bill for those who already have the money to begin with.
Remember probably the two biggest lies known today are,
1. The check is in the mail.
2. Oh don’t worry it isn’t going to cost you a thing.
I’m wondering why any Jackson County citizen would vote to give Sherman a new stadium. He certainly DOES NOT know how to implement a charm campaign.
Maybe the once middle class are now so downtrodden they’ll march to the voting booth with their heads down and simply bow to their billionaire god.
I have a feeling the new stadium will get approved and built. It will be a nice, new stadium, the tickets will be super expensive. Only for oldsters and the upper class.
However, Sherm will never see his new shrine with his aging eyes.
I’m an Eastern Jackson County resident and a semi-regular at the K and I love the idea of a downtown ballpark. It continues the revitalization that began with the P&L and continues through T-Mobile Center, Kauffman Center, and CPKC Stadium. These additions have brought people downtown to live and play. So much better than downtown circa 1990. It might be the push that gets my wife and me to finally relocate to the city.
And no, we’re not shills for downtown. Just a couple in their fifties who love KC and like what’s happening.
Nothing wrong with any of that…
The who pays for it – as opposed to its value – is the question.
My overall thought is, KC really doesn’t need it, but life goes on. I’m selling $250,000 Maserati’s and $57,000 Alfa Romeos now. Definitely not what most people NEED or maybe even want. Then again, the City not Merriam Kansas isn’t subsidizing them.
You pay your money and you choose your poison.
They are pretty darn nice cars though!
Well intentioned positivity but if you study DT and all the issues then you would know this city cannot handle these numbers anywhere there.. we can’t cope with parking as it is. Just because it would be wonderful to have a DT like
Dallas, NYC, Chicago ( ick) and even LA ( have you been to
Dodger Stadium or DTLA after a concert/game???) doesn’t translate into reality.
They don’t have our issues.. and that old pesky
Missouri River.. and a BROKEN, broke county called
Jackson. Funny how Johnson CTY lacks the serious issues with crime, debt and sad schools….