KSHB 41 News reporters Tod Palmer and Charlie Keegan have been covering Kansas City's sports stadium debate for several years. You can contact Tod or Charlie by email.
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An ordinance laying out a financing framework for a new Royals stadium at Washington Square Park was introduced Thursday at the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council meeting.
Mayor Quinton Lucas called the framework for a $1.9 billion stadium near Crown Center the largest economic development project in downtown KCMO's history.
“The new Royals Downtown Stadium is not just a stadium development. When completed, it will be the largest single economic development project in the history of Downtown Kansas City,” Lucas said in a news release Thursday. "The project, with a current estimated investment of $1.9 billion into our city’s workers, our businesses, and our Downtown, will deliver tens of thousands of guests to Downtown Kansas City 81 additional nights per year, and will have more than 300 days per year of year-round engagement, tourist activity, and conference, concert, and special event activation.”
Lucas says the ordinance, if passed, would direct city officials to work with the Kansas City Royals on a series of agreements to build the stadium.
Following Thursday's announcement, the Royals released the following statement.
“The Kansas City Royals appreciate the work of our City’s leadership — the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council — as they take important steps toward continued economic development for our city. We are grateful for their engagement in this process, as well as for the critical work of the State of Missouri, and look forward to more detailed conversations as we consider solutions that are best for our team, our fans and our community.”
LINK | Read the proposed ordinance
According to the ordinance, the city would contribute up to $600 million to the project through bonds and other financing sources. Lucas says no new taxes will be required, and the city will work to include community benefits that reach "every corner of the city."
Today, Mayor Lucas and Council colleagues will introduce legislation to bring the Royals downtown.
— Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) April 9, 2026
A new $1.9 billion ballpark at Washington Square Park and Crown Center would be the largest economic development project in downtown KC history, with no new taxes and community… pic.twitter.com/ljHTnRO7vE
The site remains part of the Kansas City Parks and Recreation system.
Lucas says the ordinance anticipates the state — through its Show-Me Sports Investment Act — would fund up to 50% of qualifying stadium costs.
The mayor spoke with reporters before Thursday's council meeting. You can watch his remarks in the video player below.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe released a statement Thursday afternoon after the city announced its plan, saying the state is committed to working with the Royals and KCMO "to ensure the Royals remain in Missouri — where they belong."
"The Kansas City Royals are more than a baseball team — they are an economic driver and a source of pride for Missourians," Kehoe said in the statement. "A new Royals stadium would represent a significant investment in Kansas City's future, bringing jobs, tourism and long-term growth. Although we're not across the finish line yet, the momentum is real and we're moving in the right direction."
Among the partners working to get the project across the finish line is Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota.
"I’m encouraged to see a proposed location on the table for a downtown ballpark at Washington Square Park," LeVota said in a statement to KSHB 41. "It gives us a real opportunity to begin a more informed public conversation about what this means for our community. While this is not a final decision by Jackson County, the State, or the Kansas City Royals, it’s a step forward in the broader discussion about keeping our boys in blue right here in Jackson County."
City Councilman Nathan Willett, who represents Kansas City residents north of the Missouri River, was one of two councilmembers not to co-sponsor the legislation. Councilman Johnathan Duncan was the other.
Willett released a statement on his decision Thursday afternoon on social media.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 9th, 2026
— Nathan Willett (@NathanNotNate) April 9, 2026
“Public feedback is crucial before voting on any stadium proposal. I did not join my other colleagues in sponsoring the proposed legislation.
Any proposal should be approved by the taxpayers of Kansas City. In the meantime, I will make… pic.twitter.com/SvruLFUuSw
EARLIER | An ordinance laying out a financing framework for a new Royals stadium at Washington Square Park will be introduced Thursday at the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council meeting, three sources familiar with the plan confirmed to KSHB 41 News.
We are not naming the sources to protect relationships, as they are not authorized to speak about the stadium financing proposal on the record.
No action on the ordinance is expected from the full council, which is expected to refer it to the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee.
If the ordinance is voted out of committee at next Tuesday morning’s meeting, it could go before the full city council for approval as soon as next Thursday.
A Royals spokesperson did not immediately provide comment on the report.
It’s been a long journey to get to this point after the Royals announced plans in November 2022 to vacate Kauffman Stadium and build a downtown ballpark.
After a few false starts, considering stadium options in East Village inside the Downtown Loop and in North Kansas City, the club eventually settled on putting a new stadium in the northeast corner of the Crossroads Arts District.
But voters rejected a sales-tax extension in April 2024, which would have moved the Royals downtown across Interstate 670 from the T-Mobile Center. That proposal also would have included renovations at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
When the vote failed, Kansas swooped in with alterations to its STAR Bonds financing tool and poached the Chiefs.
The NFL club announced plans in December 2025 to build a new stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, and a new team headquarters and practice facility in Olathe.
The Chiefs’ move complicated the Royals' possible relocation plans to Kansas, especially after backlash for the team to abandon any thought of building a new stadium at Aspiria — formerly the Sprint Campus — after acquiring the lease.
Negotiations also stalled with Clay County regarding the North Kansas City site, leaving Washington Square Park as the best, and maybe the only realistic, option.
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