The Kansas City Royals are surveying a subset of fans—primarily season-ticket holders and recent game attendees—about preferences for a new ballpark. The questionnaire references three general areas: Downtown/Near-Downtown Kansas City, Clay County / North Kansas City, and Johnson County / Overland Park. With the franchise’s lease at the Truman Sports Complex expiring in January 2031, site, funding, and timeline discussions have intensified across the metro.

What the Survey Covers (Neutral)

  • Per-site sentiment (e.g., “very attractive” → “very unattractive”).
  • Open-ended feedback on desired amenities, access, and in-stadium experience.
  • General questions on team, broadcasts, and moving from Kauffman Stadium.

Note: The survey is not public; it is being emailed to select fan cohorts to obtain a representative sample.

The Three Geographies at a Glance

1) Downtown / Near-Downtown Kansas City (MO)

Downtown proponents cite regional connectivity (streetcar, bus network, freeway access), walkable blocks, and spillover benefits for small businesses on game days. Washington Square Park has been discussed publicly as a candidate area for a stadium-anchored district, with advocates emphasizing transit and accessibility. Key considerations include roadway circulation on event days, structured parking supply, and integrating the ballpark with surrounding neighborhoods (Crossroads, Crown Center).

2) Clay County / North Kansas City (MO)

On the north side of the river, an alignment near the Armour District has been widely discussed. Supporters highlight a compact, walkable grid with existing apartments, retail, and bike infrastructure. Topics to evaluate: bridge and freeway access for regional visitors, capacity for pre-/post-game activation, and potential phasing of adjacent mixed-use.

3) Johnson County / Overland Park (KS)

In Johnson County, the Aspiria campus area has been referenced in regional reporting as a potential site. Proponents point to surface/structured parking, freeway visibility, and sub-urban access. Questions to vet include cross-border financing mechanisms, first/last-mile transit, and how the district would program non-game-day activity.

Timeline, Funding, and Process—What Usually Happens

MLB ballparks typically require multi-year pathways: site control (or long-term ground arrangements), environmental and traffic studies, zoning/entitlements, district infrastructure plans, and a finalized funding stack. Kansas and Missouri have each discussed incentive frameworks in recent years, with differing tools and caps; a final package would still need local approvals and private commitments. Construction durations vary but often span multiple seasons once shovel-ready.

What This Means for Neighborhoods

Potential positives: concentrated foot traffic supporting small businesses; activation of underutilized parcels; potential transit upgrades; potential long-term placemaking around the venue.

Watch-outs: construction staging and lane closures; game-day traffic patterns; housing affordability near the district; balancing public subsidy with measurable community benefits; ensuring non-game-day programming.

KC Housing Context Near Candidate Areas

If a new stadium district proceeds, surrounding housing performance will be closely watched. As a starting point, review city and neighborhood dashboards: Kansas City, MO housing data and Downtown KC trends. Keep in mind: sub-market outcomes vary block-to-block with project timing, interest rates, and retail/office co-tenancy.

How to Evaluate the Options (Step-By-Step)

  1. Define priorities. Rank access (car/transit), budget, non-game-day uses, small-business impacts, and public-realm goals.
  2. Map travel times. Compare drive/transit times to each geography for weeknights and weekends; account for bridge pinch-points and event overlaps.
  3. Study funding mechanisms. Review state/local tools (e.g., STAR bonds, state packages, TIF, CID) and private investment requirements.
  4. Model housing effects. Track medians, DOM, and rent trends near Downtown, NKC, and OP to anticipate affordability and supply pressures.
  5. Plan non-game-day activation. Identify anchors (parks, offices, hotels, arts, education) that keep districts active year-round.
  6. Engage. If you received the survey, submit feedback; otherwise, watch public meetings and official channels for comment opportunities.

Local Next Steps

IWardell & Holmes Real Estate provides neighborhood-level comps and relocation guidance for households and small businesses evaluating Downtown, North Kansas City, or Overland Park: Home • Buy in Kansas City • Sell • Contact.

Useful Links (Official & Reporting)

Editorial note: Wardell & Holmes Real Estate is referenced in a third-party editorial tone. This page is informational and not legal, tax, or financing advice; verify timelines, public votes, and agreements with official sources.