10 Comments so far

1. Diana on October 11, 2005 4:30 pm

   “something the Truman Sports Complex and it’s surrounding trailer courts and junk yards don’t have.”

   I believe the city did nothing to keep that area of town desirable because it became not so white anymore. Over the years the powers that were/are in charge just let things go. Now that the stadium is an issue, people realize what has been allowed to happen to that part of town. Local leaders are the ones who should be held responsible for the way things have turned out. What has the city tried to do in that part of town over the last 35 years? And no, I’m not a minority. I’m white as white can be.

2. NoNewsMan on October 11, 2005 5:17 pm

   Geez, let’s Deep-6 this crazy downtown playpen scheme!

   City officials blew the location around 35 years ago. It’s done & still a worthy plant.

   Fuel prices are going out-of-sight let alone taxes.
   The economy is heading downward with continued decent-paying jobs in peril.
   The people of this Metro (nation) had better start getting their priorities (infrastructure) straight.

   Also- quite possible voters come April may Deep-6 approval for ANY tax help for corporate sports teams.

3. Tim on October 11, 2005 5:19 pm

   With all the renovation going on, downtown is the logical place for a baseball stadium. If Kaufman Stadium were in the right place, there would have been development around it by now (although I think there is a Denny’s down the road a bit). With what it costs to obviously maintain these things, it could pay for its own upkeep by being near other destinations, like the downtown restaurants and bars and the upcoming Kansas City Live district. That way, people would have places to spend more money, and that means more tax dollars. It’s the ONLY thing that makes sense.

4. Ray Barker on October 11, 2005 8:33 pm

   There should indeed be a downtown baseball stadium. The idea that I could one day walk to the bus stop, and take the bus downtown, and catch a game all within 30 minutes. Wow. It’s hard to imagine the ease with which this could be done for thousands of Kansas City residents.

   All major and even smaller cities (look at Buffalo for gosh sakes) have stadiums downtown. This could only help Kansas City become a better and stronger city.

   For anyone opposed to the ballpark, don’t worry. Kansas City is too scared to something as bold as this.

5. ChrisM70 on October 11, 2005 9:31 pm

   I used to live in Downtown Denver, and I can tell you that Lower Downtown Denver turned into a festival on game day! There people walking EVERYWHERE - shopping, eating, and enjoying themselves.

   If KC is going to spend any money on the Royals, the Royals should be doing something for KC! And with them playing 81 home games in a giant parking lot at the corner of I-70 and I-435 doesn’t help the community at all!

   I urge people to take a look at the downtownbaseball.com website and download the presentation. It shows just how much extra activity could be brought to downtown, which will help the city’s quality of life.

6. Jim S on October 11, 2005 9:40 pm

   I tend to think it’s a good idea. All of the arguments for a downtown location have things going for them and something I’ve never heard addressed is the land that would become available next to Arrowhead. What might be built there to enhance the fans’ experience at Chiefs games? More parking close to the stadium? A restaurant/shopping/entertainment complex to add to an all day/evening experience, especially for people there from out of town?

7. Jamie C on October 12, 2005 1:08 am

   Just tell us which of the large construction firms are promoting this plan - that ought to open our eyes to who is pushing this agenda and the reason the proposal is even being considered. New housing downtown is outrageously expensive - guess all those condominium owners can afford the ticket prices to attend the games in this new ballpark.

8. CWG on October 12, 2005 7:34 am

   Let’s see if we can spot a pattern here …

   County govt. doesn’t want it.
   City govt. doesn’t want it.
   Baseball team doesn’t want it.

   Developers want it.
   Downtown businesses want it.

   And it would be partially financed by the most regressive of all taxes — sales tax — with some of the tax payers barely able to afford to use the facility, if at all.

   Then there’s the TIF tax. Sheesh.

9. Hippster on October 12, 2005 8:34 am

   “I believe the city did nothing to keep that area of town desirable because it became not so white anymore.” That’s one of the funnier things I’ve heard in a while. Not everything is about race.

   The only reason the County Govt doesn’t want it is because they’d lose one of their two raison d’etres: Kauffman Stadium.

   One reason I support abandoning The K is to remove it from JaxCo control. I’m against using taxes for this kind of crap, but if we’re going to give the Royals $200m to screw around at The K, I think we just spend a little more and put the thing downtown.

   The County is going to use a regressive sales tax no matter what.

   Of course the developers want to put it downtown, just like the jackasses on the Jackson County Sports Authority want to keep the Royals at the TSC. It’s going to be a giveaway to someone. I’d rather give it away to developers downtown than to JaxCo Sports Authorito. At least the public gets something out of a gift to downtown developers.

10. Mark on October 22, 2005 11:55 am

    Speak your mind
    

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