The possibility of a new Royals ballpark in Overland Park is one of the key issues in the race for mayor.Mayor Curt Skoog is seeking re-election to a second term.He’s being challenged by former city councilman Faris Farassati.There’s a big chunk of undeveloped land in the northwest corner of 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park.It’s part of the Aspiria complex, which includes the former Sprint Campus.In May, the Royals confirmed they had bought the mortgage on that property.It fueled speculation the team might build a new ballpark there.“I can assure you that a majority of people over there, they just simply don’t want it,” Farassati said.He said people don’t want the Royals ballpark there due to concerns about increased crime, traffic, and possible city incentives.When asked about the ballpark, Skoog referred KMBC to a city statement he said mirrors his position.“Overland Park is supportive of our hometown teams. We know the Chiefs and Royals belong in the Kansas City region, and we’ll do everything in our power to keep them here,” the statement says.Skoog, on his campaign website, lists “enhanced infrastructure” as one of his priorities.One controversial issue for several years has been the ongoing use of chip seal.The city is using that product as an overlay to extend the life of neighborhood roads.But it produces loose pebbles, especially when first applied.“We have to stop doing chip seal, put our financial resources on doing asphalt, the real smooth asphalt, just like any other city in this metropolitan area, just like Leawood,” Farassati said.”I have many residents who vehemently do not like chip seal. I have many who come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I don’t mind it at all,’” Skoog said in June 2023 when supporting an increase in sales tax for infrastructure.Farassati said he’s decided against aggressive fundraising for his campaign and is reusing campaign signs from his unsuccessful run for mayor in 2021.To date, Farassati said he’s raised and spent about $1,000.A newly released campaign finance report for Skoog’s campaign shows he’s raised more than $165,000.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. —

The possibility of a new Royals ballpark in Overland Park is one of the key issues in the race for mayor.

Mayor Curt Skoog is seeking re-election to a second term.

He’s being challenged by former city councilman Faris Farassati.

There’s a big chunk of undeveloped land in the northwest corner of 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park.

It’s part of the Aspiria complex, which includes the former Sprint Campus.

In May, the Royals confirmed they had bought the mortgage on that property.

It fueled speculation the team might build a new ballpark there.

“I can assure you that a majority of people over there, they just simply don’t want it,” Farassati said.

He said people don’t want the Royals ballpark there due to concerns about increased crime, traffic, and possible city incentives.

When asked about the ballpark, Skoog referred KMBC to a city statement he said mirrors his position.

“Overland Park is supportive of our hometown teams. We know the Chiefs and Royals belong in the Kansas City region, and we’ll do everything in our power to keep them here,” the statement says.

Skoog, on his campaign website, lists “enhanced infrastructure” as one of his priorities.

One controversial issue for several years has been the ongoing use of chip seal.

The city is using that product as an overlay to extend the life of neighborhood roads.

But it produces loose pebbles, especially when first applied.

“We have to stop doing chip seal, put our financial resources on doing asphalt, the real smooth asphalt, just like any other city in this metropolitan area, just like Leawood,” Farassati said.

“I have many residents who vehemently do not like chip seal. I have many who come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I don’t mind it at all,’” Skoog said in June 2023 when supporting an increase in sales tax for infrastructure.

Farassati said he’s decided against aggressive fundraising for his campaign and is reusing campaign signs from his unsuccessful run for mayor in 2021.

To date, Farassati said he’s raised and spent about $1,000.

A newly released campaign finance report for Skoog’s campaign shows he’s raised more than $165,000.