Early voting begins, questions surround Royals, Chiefs stadium sales tax
26 February 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs will share their vision for Arrowhead Stadium renovations this week, team leaders announced.
The team plans to hold a press release Wednesday morning to present their initial renovation concepts for the stadium. Chiefs Chairman Clark Hunt and President Mark Donovan will be in attendance.
The renovation plans come as Jackson County residents prepare to vote in April on a 3/8th-cent sales tax for Chiefs and Royals stadium projects.
Revenue from the sales tax, if approved, would go toward Arrowhead renovations and a new Royals stadium in the Crossroads District. There’s also been speculation that the Chiefs would expand throughout the Truman Sports Complex if Kauffman Stadium is demolished.
The two teams will be on the same ballot question on April 2 when Jackson County voters head to the polls.
But even once the Chiefs release their renovation plans, several questions remain about both stadium projects. Jackson County’s letter of intent still requires more details released on the new lease terms and a community benefits agreement.
The Royals and Chiefs have already established the Committee to Keep the Chiefs and Royals in Jackson County, and both teams have donated $500,000 to the committee. The campaign group spent nearly $80,000 on commercials that ran on TV before and after the Super Bowl.
Across the aisle, the Committee Against New Royals Stadium Taxes has formed in opposition to the Royals stadium plans. They’re urging residents to vote no.
The Crossroads Community Association also released survey results, showing majority of respondents oppose the Royals stadium proposal. Several businesses, as well as the former Kansas City Star press building, would be displaced under the plan.