muck Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 For those of you who don't know, there is a big referendum here in KC regarding renovating Arrowhead and Kaufman Stadiums for the Chiefs and the Royals. You probably have heard that KC will get a Superbowl if it passes. You may have heard that we're getting an All-Star game if it passes. Well, now, there is supposed to be a press conference this afternoon announcing that Arrowhead will host a Final Four if it passes. IMO, it's going to be pretty tough for the voters to not pass this thing with these three huge events coming to KC in the next decade... ...just thought I'd pass along the latest on the prospects of the Chiefs moving to a new city at some point down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charty Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Final Four? So part of the renovation is turning the stadium into it a dome? Retractable roof? Are there any details out there on the design in general? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Here's the article: KC has eyes on Final Four By DEANN SMITH and BLAIR KERKHOFF The Kansas City Star Jackson County voters will decide future of sports complex Filing arouses stadium angst Stadium ‘fair-share’ coordinator picked Vote on Stadiums: The Star's coverage of the Truman Sports Complex renovation proposals First came the pledge of a Super Bowl if Arrowhead Stadium is overhauled and a roof added. Then Major League Baseball promised its All-Star Game if Kauffman Stadium is upgraded. Now it appears Kansas City may add an NCAA men’s basketball Final Four to the list of possibilities. Officials hope to announce as early as today that NCAA President Myles Brand will endorse a Final Four at Arrowhead if two ballot measures pass. Save Our Stadium officials indicated Tuesday night that they would call a news conference at 11 a.m. today for a major announcement by Mayor Kay Barnes. “I don’t have all the details,” Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields said. “Yes, I believe it is about a Final Four.” Barnes could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. Steve Glorioso, who is both an aide to Barnes and spokesman for Save Our Stadiums, declined comment, but he and other campaign supporters have repeatedly said a rolling roof at Arrowhead would likely net Kansas City a Final Four. Two sources with knowledge of NCAA sports and the city’s efforts also confirmed that the announcement today would concern a Final Four coming to the sports complex. One source told The Star that Kansas City officials are planning as early as today to have an endorsement from Brand. Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt and city officials recently showed plans and sketches of an Arrowhead Stadium with a rolling roof to NCAA officials, sources said. Hunt, whose November pitch similarly persuaded his fellow NFL owners, was in Orlando, Fla., and could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. The first measure on next Tuesday’s ballot would impose a 3/8 -cent sales tax to raise $425 million of $575 million for improvements at the county-owned Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums. Improvements include concourses that would more than double in width, dozens of additional restrooms — especially for women — a Royals restaurant and a Chiefs Hall of Fame. The second measure would impose a use tax — which would be paid primarily by businesses — to raise $170 million of the $202 million cost of a rolling roof. Both measures would have to pass for the rolling roof to be built. The NFL owners have awarded Kansas City the 2015 Super Bowl if both questions pass. Baseball owners would give Kauffman an All-Star Game if the sales tax passes. Jackson County Sports Complex Authority executive director Jim Rowland, a former city councilman, said he was excited about the possibility of getting a Final Four. “We were anticipating it,” Rowland said. “It is one more great event we could host as a result of a positive outcome of the election.” Shields said she didn’t know which Final Four the sports complex could host. The NCAA has awarded Final Fours through 2011. The 2013 Final Four is the 75th anniversary of the NCAA championship, and Kansas City was host to the 50th Final Four in 1988. Shields said it would be great if Kansas City could host the 75th edition. Shields said Kansas City already meets the NCAA’s requirements for hotel space and infrastructure. No city has played host to more Final Fours or NCAA Tournament games than Kansas City, but the city has not seen the Final Four since 1988 due to inadequate facilities. The Sprint Center being built downtown will be large enough to hold the Big 12 tournament or early rounds of March Madness but not the national championship game. Since 1997, only domed stadiums have been host to the Final Four. Bidding for Final Fours for 2012 and beyond is scheduled for the summer of 2007. Typically, the NCAA sends to interested cities bid documents. The local sports commission, convention and visitor’s bureau, host conference or university then returns the bids to the NCAA. Any facility scheduled to play host to the Final Four for the first time must be host to one of the earlier rounds of the NCAA Tournament the previous year to iron out potential problems. Earlier rounds have been awarded through 2008. The first NCAA Tournament, played at Northwestern University in 1939, was such a financial disaster that the NCAA considered dropping it. But Kansas Coach Phog Allen convinced the organization to move the event to Kansas City, where it thrived. The 1940 tournament created a bond between Kansas City and the NCAA Tournament. In all, nine national championships were contested in Municipal Auditorium, the last in 1964, and the 1988 event was at Kemper Arena. Kansas City is where UCLA Coach John Wooden won the first of his 10 championships, where San Francisco center Bill Russell won his first title, and where Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain lost the thrilling triple-overtime game to North Carolina. Campaign opponents have criticized Save Our Stadiums officials for getting the announcement of possible marquee events in an effort to bribe voters. County officials say if the election fails then the county could default at the end of the year, and next year the Chiefs and Royals could become free to seek new homes. And what if the election fails and none of the events comes to Kansas City? Royals owner David Glass and Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt say it would be the second time voters rejected a major overhaul of the complex — they did two years ago in a bi-state election. They say they don’t see going back for a third attempt. Both Glass and Clark Hunt say their teams would have to look at all their options for a long-term solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Scorp Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Wasn't the dome part of the stipulation for the Superbowl. I believe they were looking at a retractible roof?? KC is a great place to watch a football game! The fans are awesome and the tailgating is great too! Hopefully, they won't lose any of the atmosphere with the remodel like they did in Lambeau. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Final Four? So part of the renovation is turning the stadium into it a dome? Retractable roof?Are there any details out there on the design in general? 1393127[/snapback] Arrowhead: http://www.kansascity.com/multimedia/kansa...headStadium.pdf Kauffman: http://www.kansascity.com/multimedia/kansa...fmanStadium.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Wasn't the dome part of the stipulation for the Superbowl. I believe they were looking at a retractible roof?? KC is a great place to watch a football game! The fans are awesome and the tailgating is great too! Hopefully, they won't lose any of the atmosphere with the remodel like they did in Lambeau. 1393138[/snapback] Hopefully they can make it even better. I'd hate to see the Chiefs move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Wasn't the dome part of the stipulation for the Superbowl. I believe they were looking at a retractible roof?? KC is a great place to watch a football game! The fans are awesome and the tailgating is great too! Hopefully, they won't lose any of the atmosphere with the remodel like they did in Lambeau. 1393138[/snapback] Can you imagine the sound of Arrowhead with a roof covering it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Scorp Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Wasn't the dome part of the stipulation for the Superbowl. I believe they were looking at a retractible roof?? KC is a great place to watch a football game! The fans are awesome and the tailgating is great too! Hopefully, they won't lose any of the atmosphere with the remodel like they did in Lambeau. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Wasn't the dome part of the stipulation for the Superbowl. I believe they were looking at a retractible roof?? KC is a great place to watch a football game! The fans are awesome and the tailgating is great too! Hopefully, they won't lose any of the atmosphere with the remodel like they did in Lambeau. 1393164[/snapback] deja vu all over again. The retractable roof was part of the stipulation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wcd480 Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13994888.htm Here's a recent article with a video about the rolling roof idea that has been kicked around over the past several years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 KC is a great place to watch a football game! The fans are awesome and the tailgating is great too! Hopefully, they won't lose any of the atmosphere with the remodel like they did in Lambeau. 1393138[/snapback] agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Scorp Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 deja vu all over again. The retractable roof was part of the stipulation. 1393168[/snapback] Not sure what happened there...that will teach me for saying something unkind about Lambeau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vatican Hitsquad Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 For those of you who don't know, there is a big referendum here in KC regarding renovating Arrowhead and Kaufman Stadiums for the Chiefs and the Royals. You probably have heard that KC will get a Superbowl if it passes. You may have heard that we're getting an All-Star game if it passes. Well, now, there is supposed to be a press conference this afternoon announcing that Arrowhead will host a Final Four if it passes. IMO, it's going to be pretty tough for the voters to not pass this thing with these three huge events coming to KC in the next decade... ...just thought I'd pass along the latest on the prospects of the Chiefs moving to a new city at some point down the road. 1393120[/snapback] Man, you'll be hard pressed to find a guy who hates KC more than me. But you can't leave KC, hell, you can't leave Arrowhead. It wouldn't be right. The Chiefs HAVE to be in KC, and they HAVE to be in Arrowhead (and I know they are from Texas originally). Think of the children! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 A lot the the actual improvements to the stadium include widening concourses and adding restrooms, stuff like that. They really aren't changing the atmosphere of Arrowhead, other than the rolling roof. The problem is: for what they are spending for both projects they could have 2 NEW stadiums. Not sure this thing will pass, and if I had a vote in it I'm not sure I would vote for it. The teams are contributing virtually nothing to this proposal (a very small percentage of the total cost). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 (edited) To me, they are contributing quite a bit...the Royals put in $25 million, the Chiefs put in $75 million, the state of Missouri is putting in $50 million, the tax payers are putting in (IIRC) $425 million...but, and here is the kicker, the teams are bearing 100% of any cost overrun. So, if the deal goes $200 million over budget, then the teams are bearing that cost completely. And, a Super Bowl will bring $500 million (ish) in business to KC, an All-Star Game will bring $250 million (ish) and a Final Four will bring another $500 million (ish) ... IIRC ... ... so, the tax payers pay $425 million and the local economy takes in $1 billion (plus or minus) ... Before the big events were coming to town, I was pretty skeptical about the quality of the deal, but, now it looks like it wouldn't be too bad of a decision to say "yes"... ...anyhow, I could be wrong about some of those figures, but I think they are close enough for this general analysis... Edited March 30, 2006 by muck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 A lot the the actual improvements to the stadium include widening concourses and adding restrooms, stuff like that. They really aren't changing the atmosphere of Arrowhead, other than the rolling roof. The problem is: for what they are spending for both projects they could have 2 NEW stadiums. Not sure this thing will pass, and if I had a vote in it I'm not sure I would vote for it. The teams are contributing virtually nothing to this proposal (a very small percentage of the total cost). 1394333[/snapback] First read Mucks post below. Second, why should they(owners) contribute a large chunk of the cost, they don't own the staduims the tax payers and Jackson Co. does. I think what they are offering is fair. Not only are they upgrading the things you mentioned but they are bringing them up to date, the jumbo tron could shut off any day and never come back on, the technology is WAY out of date. The stadiums will look brand new. Everyone has shot down all the new stadium proposals for the main reason that everyone likes the Truman Sports Complex and doesn't want to see either stadium go, especially Arrowhead with the "bowl" effect and what wee think is the loudest stadium in the NFL. I'm sayign this is the best deal and it's the last deal they are going to offer. If you don't want to change your username on here you best be getting out there and telling people you know to vote yes like I am doing. I will move if the Chiefs move, not necessarily to where they move but I would be done with the fans here. I'm not sure what to expect out of the vote, there are a lot of folks who willvote no cause they don't use the stadiums, are uneducated about the measures and can't afford to go to the games. About to get real interesting. I for one want to go to a final four, a all start game and a super bowl, something I could enjoy with my sons. I got to see a World series and I want to see another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charty Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 A lot the the actual improvements to the stadium include widening concourses and adding restrooms, stuff like that. They really aren't changing the atmosphere of Arrowhead, other than the rolling roof. The problem is: for what they are spending for both projects they could have 2 NEW stadiums. Not sure this thing will pass, and if I had a vote in it I'm not sure I would vote for it. The teams are contributing virtually nothing to this proposal (a very small percentage of the total cost). 1394333[/snapback] Obviously the improvements would be great, but, one thing I noticed is the ring of luxury boxes being added to the top of the stadium. After 2 or 3 years, the comment will be "we can't have these high cost seats at the top of the stadium". With the age of the stadium, and the desire for a retractable roof, I say the push should be to build a new one where there can be plenty of luxury boxes in the middle levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Good for KC!!! I had an old buddy from KC. He used to brag about how rabid the fans were in KC. I went "home" with him once and got the chance to see a game at Arrowhead. What a great time!!! KC fans are among the classiest in the NFL(except when it comes to the Raiders) and they deserve this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 First read Mucks post below. Second, why should they(owners) contribute a large chunk of the cost, they don't own the staduims the tax payers and Jackson Co. does. I think what they are offering is fair. Not only are they upgrading the things you mentioned but they are bringing them up to date, the jumbo tron could shut off any day and never come back on, the technology is WAY out of date. The stadiums will look brand new. Everyone has shot down all the new stadium proposals for the main reason that everyone likes the Truman Sports Complex and doesn't want to see either stadium go, especially Arrowhead with the "bowl" effect and what wee think is the loudest stadium in the NFL. I'm sayign this is the best deal and it's the last deal they are going to offer. If you don't want to change your username on here you best be getting out there and telling people you know to vote yes like I am doing. I will move if the Chiefs move, not necessarily to where they move but I would be done with the fans here. I'm not sure what to expect out of the vote, there are a lot of folks who willvote no cause they don't use the stadiums, are uneducated about the measures and can't afford to go to the games. About to get real interesting. I for one want to go to a final four, a all start game and a super bowl, something I could enjoy with my sons. I got to see a World series and I want to see another one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1395817[/snapback] The point is: the improvements to the stadiums are estimated to be around $550 million. Add to that the cost of the rolling roof, which they don't know what it is, so figure $200 million to that. So now we are talking about $750 million dollars for 2 stadiums that have absolutely ZERO amenities around there for entertainment for visiting fans. Not to mention all of the political BS surrounding this (muck and hat trick will know what I am talking about here), and you are looking at a serious waste of money on 2 older stadiums. Let's not even mention the fact that out of state vendors will bear a part of this tax (for example, the construction company I work for, across the state line in Kansas) who buys a lot of construction products in Kansas City, MO. And let's be honest: if the Chiefs are moving anywhere, they are moving across the state line to Kansas, which has already shown initiative in drawing new business and development. And the reality is, for what they are proposing, you can have 2 new stadiums. You put the Royals downtown, which would aid the whole downtown redevelopment going on by bringing fans downtown 82 dates a year. And demolish Kauffman stadium and put the new Arrowhead next door, which means they still have all the parking for the tailgate game day experience KC is known for. Both teams win, and you take care of a downtown problem at the same time. This whole deal stinks, both politically and financially, and I could care less about the Super Bowl or Final Four (which hasn't been promised AT ALL, or All-Star game. Because the problem is, if this isn't done right the first time, our kids are going to be dealing with this AGAIN in 20 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted March 31, 2006 Author Share Posted March 31, 2006 ...if it's only twenty years out, then WE will be dealing with it again, too... IF we really believe that this is the LAST chance, then we should accept the deal. I don't think it is REALLY the LAST chance ... but, I can see how the deal would get passed now. I didn't think it had a prayer six months ago. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 I don't think it is REALLY the LAST chance ... but, I can see how the deal would get passed now. I didn't think it had a prayer six months ago. We'll see. 1396254[/snapback] I agree. But I think if it doesn't pass, we see something again on the November ballot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 (edited) BIG DAY IN KC TODAY VOTE YES PEOPLE Edited April 4, 2006 by Hat Trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Question 1 to fix and upgrade the stadiums passed Question 2 to add a rolling roof barely failed. There is already talk of putting it on an emergency ballot in August and or November. The main reason people stated they voted against it was lack of knowledge about the actual uses, construction and such with the roof. My Chiefs and Royals are here to stay for another 25 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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