‘Kansas City’s forever‘: Leaders react as Royals announce new stadium at Crown Center

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Royals will build a new downtown ballpark at Crown Center, drawing swift praise from city, state and business leaders.

Wednesday’s announcement confirms the team’s plan to move from Kauffman Stadium to a new urban ballpark.

The news also anchors what supporters say will become one of the nation’s premier downtown sports districts.

‘Something Proud Will Come Full Circle’

Royals CEO and Chairman John Sherman framed the move as a fulfillment of the franchise’s founding vision.

“Our founder Ewing Kauffman wanted the Royals to be Kansas City’s forever, and he wanted the team to benefit his hometown as much as possible,” John Sherman said. “Joining Hallmark with this project achieves both and extends the Hall family’s critical legacy of helping Kansas City grow.”

The partnership with Hallmark carries deep symbolic weight.

The company says the iconic Royals crown logo was originally designed by Hallmark - and was conceived in the very neighborhood where the new stadium will stand.

“When the new Royals stadium opens at Crown Center, something proud will come full circle,” Hallmark Cards Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors Don Hall Jr. added. “The iconic Royals crown that Hallmark created will return to the very neighborhood where it was conceived. Every time a fan walks through the stadium doors, they’ll be standing in a place shaped by Kansas City and Hallmark’s creative spirit.”

State and City Leaders Celebrate the Deal

The announcement drew swift praise from elected officials at both the state and local level.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe called the decision a win for the entire state.

“Today’s announcement reinforces that the State of Missouri is not just where the Kansas City Royals play but where they belong,” Kehoe stated. “This decision by the Royals to invest in our state is more than just a commitment to Kansas City, it is a commitment to communities and fans across Missouri.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas drew a direct line between the City’s past visionaries and today’s announcement.

“The Royals are staying home in Kansas City and building a new home at the center of our region’s culture, arts, vibrance, and entrepreneurial success in a reimagined, reinvigorated Crown Center and greater Downtown,” Lucas added.

Lucas tied the project’s roots to the late 1960s, when the Hall family invested in the southern end of downtown at a time when many were leaving - and when Missouri and Kansas City leaders fought to bring an expansion baseball franchise to the City.

Lucas said the Kansas City Royals began play in 1969. Crown Center opened its first offices in 1971. The Royals Stadium followed in 1973.

The Mayor indicated that the new stadium and baseball districts at Crown Center will bring 20,000 construction jobs and 1,000 jobs on each game day - and pledged those positions will remain union.

“If you care about our workers, you care about their union jobs staying right here in Kansas City; in the core of Kansas City; where every bus line leads; in an area that everyone knows,” Lucas noted.

Lucas also emphasized the project’s financial structure, saying it carries no new tax increases and is funded by baseball and ancillary development revenues.

“With our redirection model, their revenues stay in our community, with a project for baseball and ancillary development that is funded by baseball and ancillary development with no new tax increases, no large super districts, and with adherence to conservative and prudent fiscal management, checked and rechecked by City Manager Mario Vasquez and his team of watchdogs,” the Mayor added.

Lucas also pointed to the broader economic and cultural impact of keeping the Royals downtown for generations.

“For over 50 years, Crown Center and the Kansas City Royals have created memories that last a lifetime for the people of our region,” Lucas said. “The public-private partnership between Hallmark, the Royals, Kansas City and our state ensures we connect our neighborhoods, keeps our downtown vibrant and maintains big league baseball in our city for generations to come.”

Lucas added that the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs, spur small business growth and draw millions of visitors to the city’s urban core.

Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, said the stadium cements baseball’s place at the city’s core.

“Kansas City is a proud sports community,” Nelson added. “Our baseball history reaches across decades. Now, a downtown stadium for the Kansas City Royals will give the sport a place at the heart of our city for generations to come, offering a first-rate experience for fans and visitors.”

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota called the announcement a big win for the community.

“I’m proud that the Kansas City Royals are staying right here in Jackson County. This is a big win for our community and a reflection of what can happen when we come together with a shared vision,” LeVota said. “I’m grateful to be part of the unified effort that helped make this moment possible, and I’m excited about what this means for the future of downtown Kansas City and our entire county.”

Former Kansas City Mayors Sly James and Kay Barnes both expressed excitement regarding the move.

Business and Civic Leaders Back the Project

The announcement also drew broad support from Kansas City’s business and civic community, with leaders across industries calling the stadium a catalyst for downtown growth.

Kansas City Area Development Council President and CEO Tim Cowden said the move strengthens the region’s two-state economy.

“A Royals ballpark and surrounding district in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, strengthens the core of our region. When paired with the Chief’s next chapter in Kansas, it reflects the reality of KC today — a balanced, two-state economy sharing both opportunity and responsibility," Cowden noted. “Our region is now better positioned for the next 50 years of growth and to maximize the many benefits Major League sports contribute to our region and global brand.”

David Warm, Executive Director of the Mid-America Regional Council, said the investment benefits the entire metro.

“A vibrant urban center is essential to any dynamic metropolitan region and the downtown baseball district opens exciting new possibilities for the heart of our region,” Warm indicated. “An investment of this scale is promising for everyone in Greater Kansas City.”

Floyd May, President of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, said baseball is woven into the city’s identity.

“The legacy of Royals baseball has created an enduring impact on our region. Baseball isn’t just a part of our history; it’s woven into the fabric of Kansas City’s identity,” May added. “Bringing the Royals downtown is a tremendous opportunity to contribute to our region’s prosperity and secure our future as one of the most desirable sports destinations in the country.”

Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce President Joe Reardon called the ballpark a cornerstone for transformation.

“A downtown ballpark isn’t just a stadium; it will act as the cornerstone of a transformation that will reshape the heart of Kansas City,” Reardon said. “It will energize small businesses, create jobs and give fans across the region and Midwest a reason to come and enjoy all the Royals and Kansas City have to offer. It is exciting to see creative projects anchoring both the Royals and Chiefs to our KC region for decades to come.”

Bridgette Williams, Executive Director of the Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City, highlighted the project’s immediate and long-term job impact.

“A downtown ballpark is more than baseball — it’s a catalyst,“ Williams said. ”It puts people to work today through construction jobs and creates lasting, permanent jobs for tomorrow, while driving business growth and bringing new energy to the heart of our city.”

Tyler Nottberg, Chairman and Chief Optimist of U.S. Engineering Holdings, said Sherman’s vision extends well beyond the ballpark.

“Downtown baseball in Kansas City is about more than a stadium,” Nottberg added. “John Sherman’s commitment goes well beyond game days. Throughout his career, John’s demonstrated how business, culture and civic engagement creates vibrant communities. This is a great day!”

Populous Senior Principal Earl Santee, whose firm is involved in the project’s design, said the site is a rare opportunity.

“Most great ballpark sites aren’t easily found — they’re earned through vision, persistence and imagination," Santee added. “We are honored to support the Royals in their pursuit of Downtown excellence. This site represents a rare opportunity to deliver the next great ballpark, one that not only defines a new era for the franchise but also serves as a powerful catalyst for downtown KC’s continued renaissance.”

Neighbors and Small Business Owners Weigh In

Businesses and property owners near the proposed site expressed excitement about the stadium’s potential impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Nicholas Grunauer, owner of Grünauer Restaurant, called the stadium “an important last stitch in the creation of one of the best urban fabrics in the country.”

“Whether you work or live downtown or not, the entire region benefits from downtown baseball,” Grunaer added.

Matt Abbott of Abbott Properties said the right energy changes everything in a neighborhood.

“Said simply, the Royals stadium at Washington Square Park and Crown Center is a home run,” Abbott said. “I’ve spent a lot of my life investing in and believing in downtown Kansas City and I’ve seen what happens when you bring the right energy into a neighborhood—it changes everything. A stadium here would do exactly that. It brings people, life and consistency—not just on game days but year-round. That kind of energy lifts everything around it—restaurants, hotels, venues and the overall experience of being downtown.”

Bryce Crady, Principal and CEO of Apex Engineers, Inc., said the ballpark creates opportunities beyond game days.

“As an East Crossroads business and property owner, we are extremely excited about the potential a new downtown ballpark brings to the area,” Crady noted. “Not only do we envision the opportunities it creates for client entertainment and team building, but also as a potential boon for talent recruitment and retention, further strengthening the Crossroads and greater Kansas City downtown community.”

Clifton Alexander, founder of REACTOR Design on Grand Blvd., said he has already seen what major events do for the area.

“As a business owner on Grand Blvd in the Crossroads, I’ve seen the excitement that tournaments and events at T-Mobile Center, just to the north of us, bring to the area,” Alexander noted. “There is considerably more energy and foot traffic, which brings more visibility to my business. I’m excited at the prospect of the Royals being just a few blocks to the South!”

Crystal Bade, Director of Operations at Boveri Realty Group, said accessibility will be a game-changer for attendance.

“I’ve worked in the Crossroads for almost 20 years, and I think the stadium would be a great addition to downtown,” Baid stated. “Not only for the businesses surrounding the area that may benefit from locals and out-of-towners attending a game, but also for the Royals themselves. I believe the accessibility will only improve attendance for the Royals. With resources like restaurants, hotels and other entertainment nearby, the likelihood of tourists coming for a game and getting the whole KC experience is much higher in my opinion.”

Brett Posten and Kathrn Jones, co-founders of Highline Partners near Washington Square Park, said the investment could be transformational - not just on game days.

“The area in and around Washington Square Park is where KC comes together to celebrate our biggest wins,” they added. “An investment like this has the potential to be transformational — not just to businesses in our neighborhood of the crossroads but also for thousands of others that are on the way to — and home from — a game.”

James Webber, Host Team Pastor at Life.Church East Kansas City, said baseball thrives in a downtown setting.

“Downtown Baseball is going to give people one more amazing reason to visit our city! It’s going to be a landmark that creates lifelong memories and serves a community of beautiful people,” Webber noted. “I live and run a small business downtown and I’m personally excited at the prospect of having the stadium as a neighbor! Of all sports, baseball benefits the most from the foot traffic and energy of a downtown environment.”

What’s Next

City leaders previously unveiled a plan to partially fund the Royals Stadium.

Wednesday’s announcement with Hallmark and Crown Center confirms and expands that vision into a full public-private partnership.