KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City developers, architects, and marketing firms say they have an idea for a downtown Royals stadium that wouldn’t displace any local businesses or homes. The stands would face north toward the skyline. Walking around Washington Square Park you already have Union Station and the WWI Memorial next door. These designers say the new ballpark would be one more attraction to make the area near Crown Center shine. When Erik Wullschleger looks out towards Washington Square Park from above, he sees new chances for the Crossroads to gain attraction if the Royals played here. “You can imagine a future where the ballpark actually helps bridge that gap,” the partner with 3-D Development explained. “Maybe even a physical bridge over the railway spilling into the Crossroads District.” Compared to the previous plans around the old KC Star Building, Highline Partners , 3-D Development , and BNIM Architects say their vision doesn’t disrupt any livelihoods. “We already have control of a site that requires zero displacement of local businesses,” Wullschleger said. “The only demolition of a building would be one that is being vacated by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.” In their designs, the field would be built into the parking lot around the Blue Cross Blue Shield Building with the stands facing the skyline. Then the concourse would expand into Washington Square Park. Jose Cardoso, a student at UMKC is concerned with parking. “They probably should build a parking garage before they ever build a stadium,” Cardoso said. “Because parking is an issue. I think a big reason people don’t go out so much is because parking is quite expensive sometimes.” “We are surrounded by 19,000 parking stalls within a four-block radius,” Wullschleger responded when asked about parking spaces. “The infrastructure that exists around here is right.” These plans haven’t been endorsed or officially brought to the Jackson County Legislature. But in a statement, Legislator Donna Peyton, whose district includes Washington Square Park, expressed support. The Royals had no comment on these ideas but said they’re still considering all options. Meanwhile, Highline Partners, 3-D Development, and BNIM Architects want to take this development and keep building public support as they move forward with any efforts to bring it to the team or Jackson County Legislature. For more stories on the stadium development from KCTV, click here .
CONTINUE READING