{"id":2215572,"date":"2025-12-29T14:58:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T14:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2215572"},"modified":"2025-12-29T14:58:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T14:58:07","slug":"union-station-lights-up-blue-backs-downtown-royals-stadium-in-kansas-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/union-station-lights-up-blue-backs-downtown-royals-stadium-in-kansas-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Station lights up blue, backs downtown Royals stadium in Kansas City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">KANSAS CITY, Mo. \u2014 Just days after the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the team would be moving across the state line, a local attraction has entered the chat, fighting to keep the Royals on the Missouri side of the metro.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On Saturday night, <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/UnionStationKCMO\/posts\/pfbid0Z3FCFankSKNfJKWoZh8kUzuQwo8FKkKVSKhfabhQu9MopJvhemtufuq12VW9bJU7l\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Union Station took to social media;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Union Station took to social media<\/a><\/strong> to share \u201cthe time has come for downtown baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/kansas-city-missouri-pivots-focus-233616713.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kansas City, Missouri, pivots to focus on KC Royals ballpark;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\"> Kansas City, Missouri, pivots to focus on KC Royals ballpark <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A downtown baseball stadium in Kansas City has been in talks for the last several years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">These conversations all stem from multiple hiccups regarding the Truman Sports Complex and its projected renovation costs, as well as its highly controversial stadium sales tax, which failed to pass in Jackson County last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since then, the Royals have been weighing its options and considering a move to a different part of the city, or even a different state. And now, with the Chiefs having officially announced its plans to move to the Sunflower State, the pressure is on for Missouri and Jackson County lawmakers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But they aren\u2019t the only ones making noise\u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cA downtown ballpark offers something special\u2014an exciting atmosphere that draws together friends, families, and fans in moments of shared joy,\u201d Union Station shared on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt strengthens community, celebrates teamwork, and reminds us of the simple beauty of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">From the Crossroads to the Northland to the West Bottoms, there have been endless renderings of elaborate urban ballparks designed for the city and the team. But its safe to assume that Union Station may prefer its neighbor, Washington Square Park, as the stadium contender.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/kansas-city-missouri-pivots-focus-233616713.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas<\/a><\/strong> has pushed for the city park to be the site of the new stadium \u2014 which sits just east of Union Station, at the site of the former headquarters of the Kansas City Blue Cross and Blue Shield building.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since the summer of 2024, the building and its surrounding parking <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/kansascity\/news\/2025\/07\/24\/royals-washington-square-park-stadium-crain.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:went under contract, fell out and was placed under contract again;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>went under contract, fell out and was placed under contract again<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0by two development groups. This happened at the same time the city began <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/kansascity\/news\/2024\/08\/16\/washington-square-park-royals-ballpark-blue-kc.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:pushing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">pushing<\/a> <\/strong>for a potential\u00a0downtown <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/kansascity\/news\/2024\/08\/26\/washington-square-park-crossroads-royals-ballpark.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:ballpark;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>ballpark<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The 6.14-acre site is currently owned by Wichita-based Crain Co. and is the larger of two primary properties composing the Washington Square Park stadium site. <strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/kansascity\/news\/2024\/10\/07\/royals-washington-square-park-lease-land-assembly.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The city\u2019s adjacent 5-acre park;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The city\u2019s adjacent 5-acre park<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is the other big piece.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A rendering of a Royals Stadium from 2024 at Washington Square Park near Union Station in downtown Kansas City.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"This is an aerial photo of Washington Square Park\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/wPQ7czfyOmBbQvFvGGd5XQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wdaf_articles_412\/cebfd6c5a847dcc1f7755bd94f0a6e55\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Mayor Quinton Lucas said Washington Square Park is one of the areas being considered for a new Royals baseball stadium site. <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"This is a photo of Blue KC headquarters in Kansas City\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/.Lar3lcgl8E6A9gkTouheQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wdaf_articles_412\/eaf2c1f792f616715fee9daebfa03762\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>The former Blue KC headquarters sits on a proposed site for a Kansas City Royals stadium in Washington Square Park.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/kansas-city-chiefs-leave-missouri-210002587.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kansas City Chiefs will leave Missouri for new stadium in Kansas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\"> Kansas City Chiefs will leave Missouri for new stadium in Kansas <\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Now, with the Chiefs decision looming over the heads of Missouri and Jackson County lawmakers, and the Royals having made very few comments about their stadium status, Union Station is lighting up blue for the team to, in its own words, serve as a \u201cpowerful symbol of a truly generational opportunity rooted in both history and hope.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The attraction said, \u201cWe believe that the time has come for downtown baseball, and a return to where the story first began\u2026 in the heart of Kansas City, where we gather to celebrate its triumphs, traditions, and most cherished moments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cSo, we look ahead with clarity and optimism. We see an opportunity to bring baseball\u2019s legends, legacy, and love back to the place where it all began,\u201d Union Station added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt\u2019s time to welcome downtown baseball home\u2014once again, for all of Kansas City.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">FOX4 reached out to the Royals for comment on Wednesday in the hopes of hearing any update about its plans, but the team has not responded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><i>Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/fox4kc.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. \u2014 Just days after the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the team would be moving across the state line, a local attraction has entered the chat, fighting to keep the Royals on the Missouri side of the metro. On Saturday night, Union Station took to social media to share \u201cthe time has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2215573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[341500,387060,310650,21851,22091,423002,387250],"class_list":["post-2215572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty","tag-baseball-stadium","tag-jackson-county","tag-kansas-city","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-the-royals","tag-union-station","tag-washington-square-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Union-Station-lights-up-blue-backs-downtown-Royals-stadium-in.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2215572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2215572"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2215572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2215574,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2215572\/revisions\/2215574"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2215573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2215572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2215572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2215572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}