‘What is there to hide?’ As Royals ask for stadium funding, public asks for community benefits agreement

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Royals want Jackson or Clay County to pony up for a new ballpark, and now some people are asking the team to do the same.

The fight for a Community Benefits Agreement continued Thursday. Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca and the Jackson County Stadium Improvements Committee hosted a public hearing to hear more on the issue.

“If we give everything the Royals want now, if we succumb to their demands, then that leaves little leverage for the community,” said Terrence Wise of Stand Up KC, a group pushing the Royals to sign a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ahead of stadium construction.

The Royals hope to get a stadium initiative on an April ballot in Jackson County, so Stand Up KC thinks the time to push for such a CBA is now.

“Why are the Royals, why isn’t John Sherman coming to the table with this coalition and folks in Kansas City?” asked Wise. “What is there to hide? How are we truly going to benefit from a new entertainment district and a new ballpark if they are unwilling, the Royals, to come to the table with folks?”

READ MORE: Jackson County residents demand community benefit agreement to be part of deal with Royals

After the meeting, Abarca said there is an appetite for a stadium downtown. However, taxpayers want to know more about the possible stadium’s finances.

“People just need to know more information,” said Abarca. “They are willing to consider a downtown stadium, if the Royals are more forthcoming in telling exactly what that looks like, who is going to pay for it, where it’s going to go, all of those important details that voters deserve to know.”

Attendees at Thursday’s meeting also question if building a ballpark is the best use of taxpayer money.

“There are many unmet needs in our city,” said John Simpson, the chair of social justice ministry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. “Weve got education, we’ve got law enforcement, highways, streets, and things that need to be taken care of. A stadium is nice, but it’s a luxury.”

The Royals are asking for a 40-year extension of the 3/8 cent sales tax to stay in Jackson County. With that much money and time involved, Stand Up KC feels the team should show how the investment will help those paying for it.

“Regardless of where you shop, what gas station you visit, your tax dollars will be used in this project,” Wise said. “You should benefit from it.”

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