Proposed Royals stadium agreement includes $55 million minimum community commitment
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Housing, public art, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum are set to receive millions of dollars through a proposed community benefits agreement connected to the Royals’ proposed new stadium at Crown Center.
The Royals’ proposed community benefits agreement, posted Monday on the city’s website, promises at least $55 million in financial commitments over the stadium lease.
It also includes other provisions that do not have set dollar amounts.
Out of the $55 million, $5 million would go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to help with construction, expansion, or renovation needs.
Another $5 million would support Kansas City’s Housing Gateway Program, which works to reduce homelessness and improve access to stable housing.
The Royals would also put $14 million toward public art, arts organizations, and related programs during the agreement.
The remaining $31 million would be given out each year over the stadium lease. These contributions could go up by as much as 2% each year to keep up with inflation, with Kansas City and the Royals meeting every year to decide how to use the funds.
Some other parts of the agreement do not have specific dollar amounts attached.
The Royals would pay for improvements to Washington Square Park and handle the upkeep and operations of those upgrades.
The team would also fund a study to see if fixed-rail transit to Union Station is possible and work with local transit agencies to plan more service to the stadium for workers and fans.
Kansas City residents would be able to buy tickets to certain regular-season home games for at least 25% less than the regular price.
For stadium construction, the Royals would require the general contractor and subcontractors to pay prevailing wages.
The team would also be required to make commercially reasonable efforts toward the small-business or M/WBE participation goals established in the separate development agreement.