Kansas City Council Votes on $600M Royals Stadium Bonds

0:00Kansas City officials are pushing forward with a plan to issue up to $600 million in bonds to help fund a $1,900,900,000 royal stadium near Crown Center. The idea is to build a new ballpark and entertainment district in the Washington Square Park area, with bonds mainly repaid by sales taxes and revenue. Generator right there from the project. The City Council votes this Thursday on advancing negotiations, though the royals have not fully signed on to the city's proposal yet. Official stress that tax money from the stadium's own should cover the bonds, but if it fall short, the city could dip into other available funds to. Make payments. Council members and city staff admit there's real risk involved, comparing it to the power and light district, where projections miss the mark, and the city has covered millions in debt costs each year. Assistant City Manager Tammy Queen called it absolutely not risk-free, highlighting how past entertainment spots have underperformed.

1:00No public vote is needed since this is framed as a development incentive, not a new tax. Unlike last year, when Jackson County voters shot down the sales. Tax for a royal stadium in the Crossroads area. The timeline calls for four years of construction and 30-year bonds plus a stadium lease. This move keeps the stadium talks alive in the city core, but watch for that council vote to see if negotiations gain real traction moving forward. You've been listening to Kansas News today, AI Powered Local News.