Downtown ballpark and condos

[ShowMeKC]

We don't really need the stadiums to be in Downtown itself. We could just have them somewhere like near the riverfront or the West Bottoms, however they need to be much closer to downtown than they are now.

[Mhudson]

We don't really need the stadiums to be in Downtown itself. We could just have them somewhere like near the riverfront or the West Bottoms, however they need to be much closer to downtown than they are now.

Its funny to me that west bottoms gets brought up around the same time people are complaining about Kemper.  I hear so many people complaining that Kemper shouldn't have been built down there, how would building a ballpark down there be any better?

[loftguy]

I can't wait for that saying to grow old.

Wait no more.

[Highlander]

We don't really need the stadiums to be in Downtown itself. We could just have them somewhere like near the riverfront or the West Bottoms, however they need to be much closer to downtown than they are now.

Putting a baseball stadium in the West Bottoms would be no different from a practical standpoint of having it in eastern Jackson County.  People would drive there, attend a game, and drive home.  No different than Kemper.  If a baseball stadium moves into the urban core (and we can forget about that for another 25 years now), it needs to be within walking distance of whatever existing entertainment districts there are at the time.  Football is a no go downtown or anywhere near a working pedestrian district.  Football stadiums are essentially black holes 358 days out of every year.  Of course, being 25 years away, things could change but I suggest we wait until it becomes even a possibility before getting too attached to any one location.    

[LenexatoKCMO]

Its funny to me that west bottoms gets brought up around the same time people are complaining about Kemper.  I hear so many people complaining that Kemper shouldn't have been built down there, how would building a ballpark down there be any better?

Better yet - Imagine how much worse Kemper would be if it was located out at TSC or someother equally remote and hopeless locale.  Its not that the Bottoms are ideal - just better than 435/70.    Golden Ox > Dennys.  

[aknowledgeableperson]

 If a baseball stadium moves into the urban core (and we can forget about that for another 25 years now), it needs to be within walking distance of whatever existing entertainment districts there are at the time.  

And that is why, in the past, I have said that if people want a downtown stadium they should plan for it NOW.  Identify a location, secure the land in some manner, and be ready for funding, contracting, and construction so that it can be ready when the TSC lease expires.

It not that everything has to be completed ASAP.  Take a few years to identify where the best, or two or three best, locations would be.  So instead of trying to do everything in a span of one year, for once, the city can plan ahead and do it right.

[Highlander]

And that is why, in the past, I have said that if people want a downtown stadium they should plan for it NOW.  Identify a location, secure the land in some manner, and be ready for funding, contracting, and construction so that it can be ready when the TSC lease expires.

It not that everything has to be completed ASAP.  Take a few years to identify where the best, or two or three best, locations would be.  So instead of trying to do everything in a span of one year, for once, the city can plan ahead and do it right.

I think if you were talking about a 5 year time frame, that would be fine.  If you are talking about 25 years, especially when the existing facility is still undergoing renovations, it would be a very tough sell to say the least.  First of all, you really do not want to tie up that kind of land for that period time in an area that looks to be some of the top real estate in the city.  Second, twenty-five years from now, the real estate scene could change dramatically.  I realize what you are getting at with the ever-increasing cost of land but, unfortunately, it's a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation.  At best, the city could donate land as a park with the intention of using it later as a stadium but 20 years later, you'd get those who would say it's a travesty to destroy the park.

[LenexatoKCMO]

Not to mention that it is going to be a bit difficult to fund/finance land acquisition for a project that might happen in 25 years.  First the politicians would have to be willing to invest in something that won't see any payout until long past their retirment - yeah right.  Second, how are you going to finance it? 

[aknowledgeableperson]

No.  The point is not that the process has to start today but that those interested in the project should keep the item in the public mind and discuss where the likely location should be.  I don't forsee the actual location identified and purchased for at least 10 to 15 years.  The latest discusssion of a downtown stadium started way too late in the process.  The talk should have started at least 5 years before it did.

And who says the stadium has to be a stand alone project or that it is initially a government investment.  Make it part of a larger redevelopment package and build most of that package before the stadium.  There are many ways to do it and do it correctly.  Kansas City learned the way not to do it.

[omenapt]

kinda glad , now , no DT stadiums with the two teams perfomances, it would be a constant visual reminder of them.  With SportsComplex location, its outta sight, outta mind, at least for me anyway!