KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Major transactions over the last 24 hours have Kansas City, Missouri, reeling, and KCTV5 sat down with Mayor Quinton Lucas for his take on the series of events and what it means for his city moving forward.
When asked about why this went down the way it did – in Kansas’ favor – and whether Missouri’s lack of leadership is to blame, Lucas pointed more to what Kansas is offering rather than what Missouri did not.
“There is about a $1.8 billion incentive that the state of Kansas is providing. That is quite a bit of money coming directly, well, a redirection from taxpayers in a district that extends far beyond what a future stadium would be. In a bidding contest, sometimes you don’t come out on top,” said Lucas.
The mayor pointed to his colleagues in the Show-Me State, new to the table, as formidable negotiators who just came up short.
“I know everyone on the Missouri side worked their best, particularly those more recently in the conversation, including Governor Kehoe, Jackson County Executive Phil LaVota, and myself.”
“While the Chiefs aren’t going far away and aren’t gone yet, today is a setback as a Kansas Citian,” Lucas said.
Lucas referred to some more difficult days when others were leading the charge.
“We ran into some resistance back when County Executive Frank White was in office, but everybody’s worked hard, and that work just moves on now to ensuring the Kansas City Royals can build a generational new facility in downtown Kansas City.”
When asked specifically about STAR bonds as a possible development tool in Missouri, Lucas said ultimately it’s up to the voters, but he shares responsibility in the Chiefs moving next door.
“STAR bonds will be something ultimately the Kansas voters decide… I’m ready to take a lot of the blame, but I do think that this is one of the more substantial tools that exists in America, and I believe this is the largest public tax incentive given to any sports franchise in America thus far.”
When pushed further, Lucas shared that such a tax incentive could prove a significant long-term impact on Kansans.
“The long-term budget, particularly if you are redirecting existing taxpayer dollars and sales taxes — Wyandotte County, for example, already heavily taxed,” the mayor said. “Hopefully, you see these [projects last] additional generations, but it’s obviously risky.”
The mayor said a fair criticism of the Chiefs’ negotiations in Missouri was having to maintain contact with Jackson County, the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri, while with Kansas, the Chiefs funneled much of their communication to the lieutenant governor.
Lucas said “real engagement” continues robustly with the Royals, “who now, of course, become the ‘belle of the ball’ and have the opportunity to negotiate further.”
The mayor continued to be optimistic about the Royals settling on a downtown stadium for their next home.
“There have been a lot of hits in the last few days in Kansas City…there have been big incentive packages to attract some employers across the line. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs,” Lucas said. “But we have an exceptional new soccer stadium on the riverfront, a billion-dollar development there, a half-billion-dollar development downtown. To me, the real story is about the ongoing growth of our region, and I hope that train keeps running.”
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