LEAWOOD, Kan. (KCTV) – A local mayor is outright saying no thank you to the possibility of a Royals ballpark move.
The mayor of Leawood, Marc Elkins, announced that he and his constituents are opposed to a possible move to the Aspiria campus in Overland Park.
The Royals still have not committed to a move at that location – it is one of several under consideration, with North Kansas City and Crown Center also being among those mentioned as possibilities.
In the mayor’s statement, he says that although he encourages the Royals to remain in the region, the current Aspiria Campus – across the street from Leawood’s Town Center – would cause significant traffic congestion, noise, parking, and public safety issues.
This latest thumbs down comes on the heels of T-Mobile and the Jewish Community Center sharing their disdain for a ballpark in Overland Park.
The City of Leawood supports keeping the Kansas City Royals in our region, however, the City Council and I cannot, at this time, support the Overland Park Aspiria campus as an appropriate location for a Major League Baseball stadium. While Aspiria is in Overland Park, it is located directly across Nall Avenue from Leawood. Based on media reports and direct feedback from our residents, we share serious concerns about the potential impacts on Leawood and its citizens should a stadium be built on this property. These concerns include traffic congestion, noise and lighting, public safety and emergency access, parking in residential neighborhoods, infrastructure capacity, and impacts on nearby schools, medical facilities, senior living communities, and established single-family residential areas. These concerns have been amplified by the State of Kansas’s lack of transparency regarding any plans for the site, which has eroded trust that residents’ concerns will be heard and meaningfully considered. We are further troubled by public statements from TMobile and the Jewish Community Centers Association, two institutions that are vital to the economic and cultural fabric of this area. Their expressed concerns about the proximity of a stadium and the negative impacts they anticipate underscore the broader risks associated with this location. Given the concerns raised by residents and the opposition voiced by key institutions in this area, as well as the lack of information regarding the project, the City of Leawood cannot, at this time, support the location of a stadium at the Aspiria campus in Overland Park.
The Royals said they continue to work to find the right fit for their future and the future home of the organization.
The Royals have a long history of working to make Greater Kansas City a better place. As such, we are deeply committed to building a stadium environment that prioritizes the health, safety, and traffic concerns of our neighbors. Whenever we build our next generational home, the project will be guided by strong community collaboration. We pledge to create an unsurpassed fan and community experience, one that elevates our region and serves as a place of great regional pride for us all.
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