Jackson County residents demand community benefit agreement to be part of deal with Royals
JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - The clock is ticking for the Royals to reach an agreement with Clay or Jackson County leaders for a new stadium. Clay County is giving the team until Monday to make a decision to get the measure on the April ballot.
Meanwhile, voters in Jackson County are skeptical about ing the project so close to the deadline.
People who spoke at a meeting Thursday expressed doubt about the idea they’re getting their money’s worth if the 3/8 cents sales tax is extended to fund a new stadium. Doing so would allocate roughly $50 million annually to the Royals and the Chiefs. Those with doubt said they wouldn’t the tax unless the Royals and Jackson County create a community benefit agreement.
That community benefit agreement would ensure every job to build and operate the stadium is under a union and offers livable wages.
Leaders and employees of unions, churches, and other activist groups spoke to the Jackson County Legislature, urging them to also promise affordable housing is part of this deal in the event people are displaced from where the stadium goes up or get priced out from property values going up.
That’s why people who showed up Thursday said they don’t allocating taxpayer dollars to fund a new stadium by the Royals until they know the county can get more out of the new stadium than just baseball.
“There are many unmet needs in our city and we’ve got education issues, needs for law enforcement, highways, streets, and all that need to be taken care of,” John Simpson, Chair of Social Justice Ministry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church argued. “A Stadium is nice but it’s a luxury. And if we channel our funding toward that for the Royals and the Chiefs, we will be short-changing the people of Jackson County.”
“Right now, I’m making about $12 an hour and $12 an hour is not anywhere near (enough) to my family,” food service worker Kaamilia Hobbs added. “Especially getting the hours that I need and I believe with a community benefits agreement I could make anywhere from $15 to $20 an hour.”
County Executive Frank White Jr. was not in attendance for this hearing. According to Rep. Manny Abarca, he was in a meeting negotiating with the Royals today. Abarca shared their frustration with the lack of transparency voters complained about to the Stadium Improvement Committee.
“There are several concerns about site location, the status of the CBA, what’s included beyond just the workers component of the CBA, and how is it going to impact the school districts,” Rep. Abarca said closing the session.
We reached out to Clay County leaders on where they stand with negotiations to build a new stadium in North Kansas City but never heard back. The Royals also would not comment on where negotiations stand.
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