The Foutch Brothers development team presented renovations plans for Kemper Arena to members of City Council and the public during an open house at the facility on Wednesday evening.
The Foutch Brothers, along with a group of private investors, plan to spend at least $25 million changing the arena into a multi-floor youth sports complex.
Planners said the new facility would offer a more convenient venue for families watching young athletes and also serve as a place where graduations, conventions and group gatherings could be held.
The plan from the Foutch Brothers was one of two proposals presented to City Council dealing with the future use of Kemper Arena. Another option, from the Wichita-based Steven Brothers development team, involved changing Kemper Arena into a minor league hockey venue.
On Wednesday, city leaders said the Foutch plan offered a greater range of opportunities and improvements at Kemper Arena.
"It's the best option because it's a youth sports facility that will provide a lot of different opportunities for kids, especially the urban core, with who we're trying to provide more service," explained City Councilman Scott Taylor.
The Foutch team told city leaders they expect the new facility to attract around a million visitors annually.
Taylor said the possible increase in people coming to West Bottoms is good news for local shops.
"We have some great restaurants now and small businesses," he explained. "We could use more. I think if you have more activity in a facility like this [Kemper Arena], that could spur that activity."
Currently, the city spends about $1 million a year maintaining Kemper Arena. Taylor said the plan from the Foutch Brothers brings plenty of hope for the facility, which the development team may end up owning.
"We're actually losing more money as taxpayers by opening up Kemper Arena. There are costs to maintaining it," he said.
Memories in Kemper Arena
During the open house, people were able to tour the arena. Stephanie Goldberg was one of the many who walked around the halls and sat in the old seats.
For her, being inside brought back old memories.
"I watched plenty of hockey here," she said. "I saw a lot of hockey fights with 'Dody' Wood."
First look inside Kemper Arena. pic.twitter.com/6wNZfxcnR5
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) May 18, 2016
Goldberg said she and a friend frequently attended Blades games at Kemper Arena and were known by players as "the loud ones in 101."
"I miss my seat," Goldberg explained. "I sat center ice. I love watching hockey."
While the Foutch Brothers' plan is the preferred option for the future of Kemper Arena moving forward, talks with the city are still in the early stages.
The City Council says leaders will be meeting with the development team over the next several months to further negotiate and go over plans. If all goes according to plan, the Foutch Brothers will acquire Kemper Arena by the end of this year and complete construction inside the facility by the end of 2017.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
