sport news Renowned NFL stadium architect releases images of potential new Chiefs arena - ... trends now
Renderings for a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium have been released, but the Kansas state legislature did not put a bill approving bonds for the project up for a vote before adjourning their annual session.
New images from architecture firm Manica showed what a new stadium complex would look like - built in Kansas, just across the river from Arrowhead Stadium located in Missouri.
The project is planned to be built next to the Kansas Speedway and in the same area as the stadiums of Sporting Kansas City of MLS as well as a Minor League Baseball park.
In a statement released to Fox4, Manica said, 'This location offers incredible access to everybody. And the total available parking area will provide an unbelievable tailgating experience that is supplemented by a fantastic mixed-use development.'
But as the hours ticked down on the legislature's session, lawmakers did not bring forth a bill allowing officials to authorize at least $1billion in bonds to cover the whole cost of building this new stadium for the Chiefs and another one for the Kansas City Royals.
New renderings of a proposed stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs have been released
The stadium would be in Kansas, across the river from the Chiefs' current state of Missouri
In addition to a complex for the Chiefs, the project would also involve a baseball stadium
Some critics of the bill derided the plan as corporate welfare. Others were receptive but didn't want to pass the proposal until the Legislature approved a broad package of tax cuts for their constituents that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would sign - which didn't happen either.
Legislators' work on a plan began in earnest behind the scenes after voters on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area decisively refused earlier this month to extend a local sales tax used to keep up the complex housing the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals' Kauffman Stadium for more than 50 years.
The bill's biggest champion, Kansas House Commerce Committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican, said supporters want to give the two professional sports teams another option should they contemplate leaving Kansas City, which he said would be devastating to both states.
'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take,' Tarwater said. 'We need them to stay in the metroplex.'
The idea isn't dead yet.
Kelly and her staff signaled Tuesday that she is likely to veto the last tax package lawmakers approved, cutting income, sales and property taxes by a total of almost $1.5 billion over the next three years. Lawmakers expect Kelly to call a special session of the Legislature to try to get lawmakers to pass a tax plan that she'll accept - and they could consider the stadium financing proposal then.
'We just need a little time on it - we´ll be OK,' said Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita Republican. 'I mean, we´re serious about trying to incentivize the Chiefs to come our direction.'
Manica has already built one of the best stadiums in the NFL: the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium
