New city records shed more light on how Crown Center, the proposed future home for a Royals baseball stadium, could be redesigned and redeveloped as part of plans for a sports and entertainment district.
On Monday, North Kansas City-based engineering firm Olsson applied for rezoning several Crown Center properties as an urban redevelopment district. Urban redevelopment zoning is aimed at flexibility while setting standards to guide future development and what can be built in underdeveloped areas.
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The rezoning would be another procedural step toward making the Royals’ and Hallmark’s plans to bring a $1.9 billion baseball stadium to Crown Center a reality as part of a broader $3 billion mixed-use development plan.
The plans suggest stadium construction could start this year and last through 2031, with dates subject to change. Construction in other areas have suggested timeframes lasting between 2035 or 2040.
“We are pleased to continue the planning process with the Kansas City Royals as we work toward the reimagining of Crown Center, and this filing is part of that process,” Crown Center spokesperson Tina McGuire said. “While this is a long-term project that will take shape over the coming years, we are encouraged by the progress made to date and are excited to have reached this point.”
A portion of a development plan for Crown Center as part of a rezoning for a sports and entertainment district.
(Populous/Olsson)
Royals stadium at Crown Center
An attached development plan shows a more precise location for the proposed future stadium alongside areas where new buildings could be constructed, or renovated, and plaza areas added.
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Total square footage of buildings in the area would go from about 9.1 million square feet to about 12.6 million square feet.
The proposed stadium would replace Hallmark’s current headquarters. The plans, for example, show new buildings added off Grand Boulevard, west and southwest of the stadium.
Map showing the proposed stadium location within the Crown Center district.
The preliminary plan does not specify exactly what new buildings could contain, noting that would be determined in final plans.
The rezoning application also includes proposed design standards for development in Crown Center — calling for walkability and active public spaces — and traffic study with details about parking and transportation.
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The City Plan Commission is scheduled to review the plans in August.
Separately, the City Council approved an initial framework in the spring that would allow the city to provide up to $600 million in local financing to help support the stadium project. Negotiations have continued, and the city has not signed off on a final deal.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source sports.yahoo.com ’
