Kansas City should take a page out of DC’s baseball stadium playbook | Opinion
DC example
My son and I visited Washington, D.C., last weekend to watch a couple of ballgames. The Nationals Park is an impressive stadium, built in 2008 on the bank of a river in a previously run-down and unsafe area of the city. The stadium has good sight lines, wide concourses and plenty of concessions. After its construction, businesses grew up around it and it is now surrounded by residential and retail, hotels and restaurants. The area was alive for all three weekend games, buoyed by tons of Phillies fans. Every game drew crowds of around 40,000 people, many of whom came hours before and stayed hours after at local establishments.
A nearby Metro subway station shuttled people to and from the area for a few dollars’ fare. While crowded, the area felt safe and lines were never too long, both inside and outside the stadium.
I think a stadium near the river in North Kansas City could develop this type of atmosphere and revitalize that area. I cannot envision this type of atmosphere at 119th Street and Nall Avenue.
- Joe Davidson, Overland Park
Belong here
After watching the ESPN documentary series “The Kingdom,” I was reminded of how deeply Arrowhead Stadium is woven into the history and heart of Kansas City. I can’t imagine our team leaving such a historic place. Arrowhead has been the backdrop for so many moments: celebrating a new league and a Super Bowl win, enduring the years when victories were few, nearly reaching the top, and now, witnessing the excitement of the Patrick Mahomes era.
This stadium is more than just a venue; it’s a symbol of legacy, perseverance, and pride. With the right vision, Arrowhead and the surrounding area could become a premier destination — not only for football fans, but for Kansas City itself. While the neighborhood has challenges, investment could spark the kind of transformation that uplifts homes, businesses and the broader community.
Mahomes has shown us the value of believing in potential and building something greater. I hope the organization follows that same example — to see not only the value of the stadium, but the people and community surrounding it.
Clark Hunt, please keep our team at Arrowhead. Please protect and continue the legacy your father began, rather than letting it become an empty shell.
- Monique Platz, Kansas City
Dobson inspired
As the founder of the Altered Stories Ministry, I would like to share my deepest appreciation for Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson, who passed away this week. His ministry was a great influence in Christian media, and helped families and others thrive.
I worked at Focus on the Family from 2016 to 2017, and I was blessed to be supported in my vision of establishing my ministry by their broadcast team and current producer, Deanna Williams. In fact, she helped me launch my podcast, “The Altered Stories Show.” The podcast, with 163 episodes to date, helps Christian women everywhere emotionally and spiritually heal from brokenness by sharing their God stories.
During my time at Focus on the Family, I worked with several people who worked for Dobson directly and shared his passion for helping families, marriages and others through trauma. He left an amazing legacy and was a Christian man who focused on mission and did not self-promote. He inspires me and many parents, including single parents, who need guidance in raising their children.
His influence will always be part of Altered Stories Ministry as we grow, serve, and collaborate with other ministries and Christian women
- Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch, Parkville
The consequences
Before the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin last week, our president stated, “There will be very severe consequences” if a ceasefire is not established in the Russia-Ukraine war.
He is correct. Those consequences include that thousands more innocent Ukrainians, as well as Russian soldiers and possibly civilians, will die, and additional Ukrainian homeland will be taken by Russia, giving Putin the opportunity to reach his initial goal of retaking Russian homeland?
I don’t understand how it continues to be OK not only to continue a war created by Putin’s unprovoked aggression, but to sacrifice more innocent Ukrainian men, women and children.
- Pete Muenks Jr., Raymore
Not democratic
I have a deep concern over President Donald Trump’s demands to gerrymander for political gain . This tactic is an attempt to entrench power by rigging the system. This is not only antidemocratic, but also a direct threat to our Constitution, the integrity of our electoral system and deliberate attempt to distort electoral boundaries to favor one party.
As Missourians, we are next. If Gov. Mike Kehoe follows these footsteps and rolls over for demands to redraw district lines knowingly to manipulate one party’s gain, we should be ready to stand up and be loud. (Aug. 8, 1A, “Gov. Kehoe: Let’s ‘see if there’s a path’ to gerrymander KC”) This attempt violates our principle of fair representation. No matter which party you support, you should be very afraid.
Intentionally carving districts to guarantee partisan wins denies us of our fair elections. What confidence do you have of a real choice, to feel as if we have the true competitiveness that has made our elections meaningful historically?
America is stronger when democracy is fair and represents all of us regardless of party affiliation. That is what our Constitution is about, and Trump’s attempt to seize power is obvious. Now is the time to attend a rally, campaign the better cause, call, write and build your community and coalitions.
- Jeanette Rouse, Springfield
Don’t quote
A recent Star story about an apparent arson attack on the Johnson County GOP headquarters quotes Kansas Republican Party chair Danedri Herbert suggesting the fire was politically motivated, stating, “Extreme liberals can’t do anything right, including arson.” (Aug 17, 10A, “Johnson County Republican headquarters targeted in fire, GOP chair says”)
This she claimed before the investigation had begun. At that point, presumably there were no suspects, and no one knows whether it was attempted arson.
Such speech serves to divide and provoke readers. There was a time when the GOP leader would have responded with a calm, factual statement, such as, “We don’t know the details yet. The investigation is ongoing. We’re thankful no one was injured.”
The statement is not news, it is an opinion, and a baseless one.
Americans need leaders who are results-focused and strive to unite people toward achieving goals that strengthen our communities. We need principled journalism that does not act as a tool of politicians who are only interested in provoking readers. I am in favor of press freedom, but I do not consider this journalism.
- Cheryl Bender, Overland Park