The Kansas City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance that keeps the city moving forward on a potential new downtown ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.The ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas, directs the city manager to keep working on a term sheet, lease and development agreement with the Royals for a proposed stadium and surrounding district near Washington Square Park and Crown Center.Councilman Nathan Willett was the lone vote against the ordinance. In simple terms, this gives the city the green light to keep negotiating and start putting more concrete details together.The measure also allows the city to pursue a Tax Increment Financing plan, apply for state incentives and begin formal agreements tied to the project, which is estimated to cost about $1.9 billion.Of that, the city’s share could total up to $600 million through bonds and other public financing tools.“The Royals remain grateful for the work and attention of local leaders,” the franchise said in a statement. “We respect the process, which includes the City Council and Parks Board consideration, and the City Manager’s presentation of a term sheet for review and negotiation, with a long-term vision that we expect to include one of the largest private investments in Kansas City history. As always, our motivation is to find the best solution for our team, our fans, and our community. We’re excited by the possibilities this opportunity presents for our hometown.”City leaders described the vote as an important step in trying to keep the Royals in Kansas City long-term, reaffirming the council’s commitment to negotiate in “good faith” with the team.There are still major hurdles ahead. “We have, I think, gotten a good deal,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “We have outstanding financial terms, some of the best in the history of Major League Baseball for our team, particularly coming from a local government.”At the state level, the project must first be approved by Missouri economic development leaders, and any public funding would still need approval from the Missouri Legislature through the budget process.The ordinance also allows the city to begin spending up to $250,000 on professional services, including financial, legal and design work, to help move negotiations along.Plans include a larger “Downtown Baseball District” with infrastructure improvements, potential parking development and surrounding mixed-use projects.Not everyone was on board with the vote. “Today, they seem to focus on a billionaire’s playground and an economic development over the people and that ain’t right,” said Terrence Wise, of Missouri Workers Center.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

The Kansas City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance that keeps the city moving forward on a potential new downtown ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.

The ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas, directs the city manager to keep working on a term sheet, lease and development agreement with the Royals for a proposed stadium and surrounding district near Washington Square Park and Crown Center.

Councilman Nathan Willett was the lone vote against the ordinance.

In simple terms, this gives the city the green light to keep negotiating and start putting more concrete details together.

The measure also allows the city to pursue a Tax Increment Financing plan, apply for state incentives and begin formal agreements tied to the project, which is estimated to cost about $1.9 billion.

Of that, the city’s share could total up to $600 million through bonds and other public financing tools.

“The Royals remain grateful for the work and attention of local leaders,” the franchise said in a statement. “We respect the process, which includes the City Council and Parks Board consideration, and the City Manager’s presentation of a term sheet for review and negotiation, with a long-term vision that we expect to include one of the largest private investments in Kansas City history. As always, our motivation is to find the best solution for our team, our fans, and our community. We’re excited by the possibilities this opportunity presents for our hometown.”

City leaders described the vote as an important step in trying to keep the Royals in Kansas City long-term, reaffirming the council’s commitment to negotiate in “good faith” with the team.

There are still major hurdles ahead.

“We have, I think, gotten a good deal,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “We have outstanding financial terms, some of the best in the history of Major League Baseball for our team, particularly coming from a local government.”

At the state level, the project must first be approved by Missouri economic development leaders, and any public funding would still need approval from the Missouri Legislature through the budget process.

The ordinance also allows the city to begin spending up to $250,000 on professional services, including financial, legal and design work, to help move negotiations along.

Plans include a larger “Downtown Baseball District” with infrastructure improvements, potential parking development and surrounding mixed-use projects.

Not everyone was on board with the vote.

“Today, they seem to focus on a billionaire’s playground and an economic development over the people and that ain’t right,” said Terrence Wise, of Missouri Workers Center.