Chiefs to receive a second vote in Missouri for $800,000,000 Arrowhead Stadium renovation plan: Report
The state of Missouri is working hard to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals in town. With both teams looking for new or renovated stadiums, the future remains up in the air. Arrowhead Stadium has looked to the community for help funding the renovations and will have a second vote on the $800 million plan soon.
Mike Parson, governor of Missouri, is getting involved with the situation. According to Front Office Sports, he said:
“We just need to have a plan in place and to move forward, and I think there’s a real opportunity to do that. I do think, before all this is said and done, Jackson County is going to have another vote."
They voted before on public funding for new/improved facilities for the Chiefs and Royals. The public hasn't been as receptive to this plan, which is why it is being given a second vote soon.
Less than a month after the Kansas government approved bonding to help build new stadiums for the two teams, Parson met with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County County Executive Frank White, Jr. Top Chiefs and Royals officials also met with senior members of the local government. This included House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson.
Chiefs renovation plan hits a snag
The Kansas City Chiefs want to stay in Kansas City and renovate their stadium. They reportedly want or need public funding to do so, and if they don't get it, things may go awry. This has been a hot topic for the area, as the Kansas City Royals are in the same boat.
Frank White Jr., the Jackson County executive, currently stands in the way of these proposals since he is not sure if they really benefit any of the taxpayers.
He said via Front Office Sports:
“I made it clear to Gov. Parson—as I have to the public before, during, and after the recent stadium sales tax campaign—that before I can support any new proposal, it must offer clear and significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jackson County.
"Maintaining the current financial arrangement is not in the best interest of Jackson County and its residents.”
It remains to be seen how this will play out, but it will have major ramifications for sports in Kansas City.