Royals stadium funding comes into focus: $1.14B public, $911M private
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
New documents on the Kansas City Royals’ proposed stadium in downtown Kansas City is offering another look at who could pay for the project and how much taxpayers could contribute.
Documents from Kansas City’s TIF Commission indicate the entire stadium plan and work at Crown Center would cost $2.05 billion.
The documents indicate that about $1.14 billion would come from public sources, while the Royals and other private funding would covering $911 million.
The Kansas City council has approved a plan that would provide $600 million.
The plan anticipates $254 million through Missouri’s new stadium funding program, $50 million in state tax credits, $35 million in other state infrastructure funding and $100 million from the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Another $101 million is listed simply as coming from “other public sources.”
The city’s $600 million would be split into $510 million for the stadium and $90 million for infrastructure.
Documents also outline a proposal that would create a special taxing district that oculd add a sales tax of up to one percent on qualifying purchases within its boundaries. Some of that money could then be used to help pay project costs.
The plan also calls for redirecting about $382 million in tax revenue toward eligible project costs.
Royals stadium plans
Plans call for a roughly 1.2 million-square-foot stadium with at least 30,000 seats, along with standing-room areas.
It could include restaurants and bars, rooftop entertainment areas, public gathering spaces, premium seating and the Royals’ offices.
The Royals are hoping to begin major construction in 2027.
The current schedule calls for demolition and excavation work to begin in January 2027 and an official groundbreaking in May.
Construction would be substantially finished by December 2029.
If everything stays on schedule, the Royals would play their first home game at the new stadium in March 2030.
The plan estimates construction would create the equivalent of 16,000 years of work spread among direct and indirect jobs during the construction period.
It also lists 2,275 permanent jobs connected to the stadium. Most of those jobs already exist and would move with or be retained by the Royals. The plan estimates 200 new permanent jobs would be created in Kansas City.
The TIF district covers more than just the stadium.
A second area around the ballpark is envisioned for restaurants, stores, entertainment, offices, hotels, housing and green space.