"Crossroads Hotel would be proud to support a proposal to consider Washington Square Park as the future site for the Kansas City Royals’ new downtown stadium. As a longstanding business in the burgeoning Crossroads neighborhood, we would embrace a vision that provides a more taxpayer-friendly option involving no displacement of local businesses while improving the economy of downtown Kansas City.

 

A thoughtful proposal would align well with Aparium Hotel Group’s founding mission to uplift the communities where our properties are located. It would also be consistent with Crossroads Hotel’s commitment to being a cultural and economic catalyst, supporting the ongoing revitalization of the vibrant Crossroads district in Kansas City." 

-Mario Tricoci – Aparium Hotel Group – Crossroads Hotel 

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“Downtown baseball is good for downtown, and what’s good for downtown is good for all of Kansas City. Downtown represents only 2% of the City’s land area, but it generates roughly 25% of the City’s earnings tax revenue. That money flows out to all parts of the city: the East side, South KC, the West side, and the Northland. It benefits everyone.

 

If we want a healthy city, we need a strong downtown. And nothing - nothing - would strengthen downtown more than a Major League Baseball stadium. This is our generation’s chance to really move the needle on Kansas City’s vitality. I hope we’ll make the most of this incredible opportunity.”

-Gib Kerr, Vice Chair of the Downtown Council

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“A downtown baseball park is a generational investment that will catalyze growth in our urban core, and activate many of the assets where we have already made regional investments like the Riverfront, Midtown and The Country Club Plaza. Whether you work or live downtown or not, the entire region benefits from downtown baseball. Let’s continue to make the River-Crown-Plaza a priority, and bring baseball downtown. No plan is perfect, but I know we are a better region with downtown baseball.”​

-Nicholas Grünauer, Owner, Grünauer Restaurant 

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"I think the Washington Square Park site has great potential and believe in the benefit of Downtown Baseball as a community asset both for individuals, families, and as an economic driver for our businesses. While I don't have all the facts because it is a work in progress, I strongly support further investigation of the site and continued development of a plan."

-Suzie Aron, President + Broker, Aron Real Estate & Founding Member + Past President, Crossroads Community Association

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"I have viewed the prospective site for over 30 years from my office at Kessinger Hunter, and as a season ticket owner since day 1 (when the team was the Athletics!) I truly believe the location and all the surrounding amenities assures me that this site is a REAL WINNER!"

- Chuck Hunter, Principal, Kessinger Hunter

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"I'm really excited about this new home for the KC Royals Stadium! It is an everybody wins location for KC, Jackson County, the Royals, the Fans and the surrounding community.

Well Done! It's brilliant! Excellent highway accessibility, parking options, and connectivity to the Streetcar, the Crossroads and Crown Center. And it's on KC's Grand Blvd. To say it simply, I'd call it a Home Run!"​

-Matt Abbot, Owner, Abbot Properties 

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"This site’s connection to existing infrastructure, transportation, and parking—all with zero displacement of existing businesses at a fraction of the land cost of Crossroads—is a 10 out of 10. When can I reserve my seats?"

-Brad Nicholson, Downtown Pioneer

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"Love this site!  We can see so much design potential here and agree with the sentiment that it has become a community gathering destination synonymous with victory. We fully support the Royals in its stadium efforts and this site should be a strong consideration."

-Thomas Proebstle, AIA, Co-Founder, Generator Studio

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“Washington Park is the “bullseye site” for the new Royals stadium. Accessed by interstates from every direction, the site is adjacent to the streetcar line linking the Plaza, The Crossroads, and CBD, and points clear north to Berkley Riverfront and the KC Current’s CPKC Stadium. With synergistic linkage to thousands of parking spots, Crown Center, CBD and Crossroads hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues are all nearby. Adding the Royals’ stadium to this location is a classic real estate 2+2=5.”

-Whitney E. Kerr, Sr., Chairman of the KCMO Planning Commission 1991-1998

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"This alternate site solves nearly all of the issues I had with the East Crossroads proposal: Better transit access, fewer displaces businesses, and -- most importantly -- a position alongside other institutional properties (Union Station, Crown Center) rather than an arts district. Kudos!"

-David Johnson, Neighborhood & Transit Advocate

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"The proposed stadium development in Washington Square Park is an intriguing possibility. Enhancing economic opportunities in this area would provide benefits to residents and businesses, particularly given that nearly 80% of visitors to the National WWI Museum and Memorial come from out of town, often for sporting events. Integrating the museum more closely with potential new attractions holds promise to serve more people visiting Kansas City." 

-Matthew Naylor, President and CEO, National WWI Museum and Memorial

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“We are excited about the prospect of a downtown baseball stadium and having the Kansas City Royals as our neighbor. We would love to raise a glass in our Beer Hall with our shared fans before and after games.”

-Seraf De Smedt, President, Boulevard Brewing Company

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"This is an inflection point of the future of our City. The status quo may comfortable, but cities either shrink, get stagnant or thrive. Downtown Baseball will be that catalyst for our City. This is a grassroots efforts that started by stakeholders. They heard the concerns of opposition that focused on the proposed location, and found the solution, the ideal location deserving of community support. Not only is the site located on the streetcar, it can bring fans on heavy rail from Lees Summit and Independence into Union Station. We need all stakeholders to be loud, be prideful and...Believe in Downtown Baseball."

-Chris Sally, Iconic Development

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"In the last 30 plus years, there has been an overwhelming demand for new MLB stadiums to be built in a city's central core. These downtown investments bring additional energy to existing community assets and attractions, further strengthening the heart of these cities.  Aggregating these activities where infrastructure can support them is a primary key to their success."

-Vincent Gauthier, Founder of AuthentictyCity

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“I am a longtime supporter of downtown, and downtown baseball. Many small and large businesses have committed to a vibrant and thriving downtown in Kansas City Missouri. Hallmark being a leader some 50 years ago. As a 30-year downtown business, I have experienced both lean times and good times. The Baseball Stadium at Washington Square Park will solidify these commitments from local businesses, without negative impact on any small business. The site addresses parking,  connectivity and will provide a great foundation for Union Station, the Crossroads and the streetcar for years to come”.

-Butch Rigby, Owner, Screenland® Real Estate Services

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"As an East Crossroads business owner, I had significant reservations about the ballpark proposal presented last Spring.  The Washington Park location alleviates my key concerns.  I like the fact that no businesses or residents will be displaced, that the location will activate a vacant office building and parking lot while creating synergy with Crown Center and Union Station, that there parking readily available nearby, and that the streetcar would provide direct access to the site for people coming from the River Market to UMKC."

-Elizabeth Rosin, Senior Vice President, Business Strategy, Heritage Consulting Group