Summary

Committee advances downtown stadium negotiations; KCPD settlement funding held for review

Kansas CityApr 14, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The Finance, Governance & Public Safety Committee advanced an ordinance to continue negotiations with the Kansas City Royals for a proposed downtown stadium (Washington Square Park/Crown Center), directing staff to negotiate term sheets/leases, apply for a $250,000 TIF for pre-development, and pursue incentives; the project is estimated at $1.9 billion with potential City participation up to $600 million. The committee recommended advancing a $5.9 million transfer from the Legal Expense Fund to KCPD for settlement expenses but the item was held in committee amid requests for greater transparency. A separate ordinance addressing prevailing wage, MBE/WBE waivers, and an affordable housing PILOT adjustment was held until April 21, 2026. Public testimony both for and against the stadium was entered into the record.

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Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee

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LaborBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHousing

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Key decisions

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Advanced as committee substitute Ordinance 260339 to continue good-faith negotiations with the Kansas City Royals for a new downtown stadium; directed the City Manager to negotiate and execute term sheet, lease, and development agreement; authorized application for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan and appropriated $250,000 for pre-development professional services.
Committee members expressed general support for the stadium negotiations; amendments by CW Melissa Patterson‑Hazley (Sections 4C, 4E, 4G) were upheld in committee and will be forwarded to full Council.
Ordinance 260340 (transfer of $5,900,000 from the Legal Expense Fund to the Kansas City Police Department for legal settlement expenses) received a committee recommendation of “Advance and Do Pass” but was held in committee pending additional transparency and possible closed-session discussion.
Ordinance 260286 (amendments to prevailing wage rules, MBE/WBE waiver process, and Payment in Lieu fee for affordable housing) was held until April 21, 2026.
Public testimony (in person and online) both supporting and opposing the stadium project was received and entered into the official record; the presentation is on file with the City Clerk’s Office.

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