Kansas City’s push to help fund a new downtown Royals ballpark moved another step forward Tuesday, even as the plan drew sharp criticism from progressive activists and strong backing from local labor unions.
At a Finance, Governance and Public Safety committee meeting, more than 40 people lined up to weigh in on the proposal, which would provide $600 million in public funding for the project. The committee then advanced an ordinance to the full City Council that includes funding plans along with development and lease agreements tied to the new stadium.
The Royals are seeking a $1.9 billion ballpark that would sit at the center of a $3 billion entertainment district in the Crown Center area.
Opponents, many of them connected to Missouri Workers Power, argued the city should not spend public money on a stadium when other needs remain unmet. The coalition of progressive advocacy groups is also trying to force a public vote on the plan, and one of its members was forcibly removed from the City Council chambers.
Lisa Miller, a leader with Missouri Workers Power, told the committee the city should be putting its money elsewhere.
She said the city should instead focus on addressing a housing shortage and improving public transportation. She also said the city needs better infrastructure and education systems.
“We’re asking for your compassion and your mercy to reach out and help the people of Kansas City,” Miller said. “We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for a hand up.”
Several critics also pointed back to Jackson County voters rejecting a sales tax that would have helped pay for a new Royals stadium in the Crossroads. Susan Thompson, a Kansas City resident, said council members needed to remember who they answer to.
“You asked us if we wanted to fund a stadium, and we voted no,” Thompson said. “But still, you want to use our money and give it to billionaires for a ballpark,” she added, referring to Royals Chairman John Sherman.
Nearby residents in the San Francisco Tower, a housing complex inside the proposed Crown Center ballpark district, also raised concerns. David Byrn said the development plan has not accounted for the people living there, and he said the Royals have not committed to protections such as construction mitigation or steps to address lighting and noise from the stadium.
Ben Lindner, president of the San Francisco Tower Association, said residents had expected more responsiveness from team officials and said some concerns remain unresolved.
“This plan is unprecedented for the area and for our city as a whole,” Lindner said, “and to pretend that it’s just another project from an impact standpoint is disingenuous.”
Labor support for the project came from unions that represent construction workers and stadium employees, including concessions and custodial staff. They said the project would create jobs during construction and preserve work for employees once the new stadium opens.
David Cooper of SEIU Local 1, which represents hundreds of stadium workers at Kauffman Stadium, said the union finalized a labor agreement with the Royals on Monday. He said that gives members jobs to move into at the new ballpark.
“We are looking forward to all of them having a position available for them whenever they’re on the other side of this move,” Cooper said. “We offer our full support for the development that will transform downtown while continuing to provide quality jobs and permanent jobs for hundreds of workers.”
Vanessa Coleman, a union steward who said she has worked as a cashier at Kauffman Stadium for 47 years, also backed the project. A self-described “die-hard” Royals fan, she said she enjoys serving fans and hopes to keep doing the same thing at the new stadium.
“It really makes me feel good when I hear the fans tell me that they enjoy my service,” Coleman said. “I’m looking forward to taking on the same job at the new stadium when it comes to Kansas City.”
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