Royals want to move fast on a downtown stadium. Here’s what Kansas City voters need | Opinion

The beginning of a new year will accelerate discussions of public support for one, and perhaps two, new sports stadiums in the region.

Voters will want to pay close attention to those debates, starting now.

The Kansas City Royals have said they’re interested in a vote as early as August this year on a downtown stadium and surrounding entertainment district. The team says the cost would be about $2 billion.

As we’ve repeatedly said, there is much we don’t know about the plan. We don’t know, as the new year starts, what the public will be asked to contribute to the stadium, if anything at all. The team has hinted at seeking extension of an existing 3/8th-cent sales tax in Jackson County, but that isn’t officially on the table.

We do know this: The team, and whatever city or county may be involved in the project, can’t wait until August to finalize the plan. The deadline for submitting a measure for the August ballot in Missouri is May 30. That’s about 150 days away.

If the baseball stadium is to go on the ballot in August, voters must have a crystal clear understanding of the details this spring. At minimum, that includes a firm location, with a realistic cost estimate and the repayment plan for any public bonds. A construction timetable is also essential.

The Royals must commit to a new lease that keeps the team in Kansas City for the life of whatever tax is used for the project. If the tax is to be extended to 30 years, the team must promise to stay here for that time period — again, before the election.

Without a new lease, voters will rightly reject any tax for the ballpark.

Voters must know if the state of Missouri plans to contribute anything to the stadium, or if the state is to play a role in authorizing any taxes for the project. The general design of the surrounding entertainment district should be clear, as well as any public subsidies involved — including economic incentives.

Finally, the plans for the Chiefs must be understood before voters are asked to approve plans for the Royals. Residents must know if the football team will seek similar public support for stadium improvements, or new construction. (That includes any public participation in renovations for the 2026 World Cup.)

Voters must fully understand the fate of the Truman Sports Complex. Currently, the 3/8th-cent sales tax paying for the 2006 improvements is split between baseball and football. If the Royals want all that tax money for themselves, the community must understand the Chiefs’ potential ask, if any.

If the Royals are to sign a new lease, the Chiefs should negotiate a new deal. That means the involvement of the NFL, and, for the Royals, Major League Baseball.

Filling in these blanks in the next 150 days is a very tall order. Already, at least one Jackson County legislator — Jalen Anderson — has expressed doubt about an election that would lead to a new downtown baseball stadium.

“I would campaign against it,” Anderson told WDAF-TV/Fox 4. He prefers spending taxpayer dollars at the existing sports complex.

It isn’t known how many legislators share that view — or, again, if Jackson County will be involved. Details, even at that level, are unknown.

But let’s be clear: No public body should authorize a vote for any stadium-related tax unless and until vital details, including new lease agreements, are signed. No one should support a blank check for any organization seeking public help.

Delaying the vote until 2024 may eventually make more sense. We’ll know if that’s true by spring.