How Washington Square Park Could Become the Kansas City Royals' New Downtown Ballpark

Explore the $2 billion Kansas City Royals ballpark proposal at Washington Square Park and why it’s seen as a top choice over other sites.

Since the beginning of the year, plans to transform Washington Square Park into a downtown ballpark for the Kansas City Royals baseball team have been picking up steam. Community members involved in commerce have been subtly crafting proposals, for this arena long before the Royals officially announced their intention to explore a project exceeding $ 2 billion in the East Crossroads district. After the Royals were unable to get approval for a sales tax increase, in April proponents of the Washington Square Park area have updated their plan. Shared it with the public claiming that their site has clear benefits compared to the East Crossroads location.

A Strategic Location with Fewer Drawbacks

Vince Bryant, founder and CEO of 3D Development, and his team believe that Washington Square Park is the optimal site for the Royals’ new ballpark. “We didn’t believe that the vote was the end of the story,” Bryant stated in a release. “As Crossroads businesses, we understood the concerns of our neighbors, but we also believed in the Royals’ desire to create something transformational for the city. After months of due diligence, including sharing it quietly with our neighbors, we feel confident that this is a great home for the Royals.”

The team in charge of the project. Comprising members from BNIM and Cushman & Wakefield among others. Began exploring the possibilities of Washington Square Park during a meeting at 3D’s Creamery buildings conference room. Initially open to backing the Royals’ initiative it landed they eventually favored Washington Square Park as the ideal spot. Erik Wullschleger, from 3D remarked, “We pinpointed Washington Square Park on a map and thought, ‘Why not consider this location?’ “Why shouldn’t it be placed here?” That’s how the conversation began.

Washington Square Park Royals ballpark proposal: A Considerate Proposal Based on Data

Rather than just focusing on looks, when creating a plan for the project like a beautiful design alone was not the priority for the team; they considered practical aspects such as transportation access and acquiring suitable land for the site fit.” Wullschleger emphasized that their approach was not about starting with a visual and working backwards but rather about ensuring sufficient car accessibility and planning, for peoples exit routes while also securing the necessary land. “Lets not sugarcoat it – there are an obstacles to overcome in the development of the website. However the location seems to be a match, for our needs.”

The area at Washington Square Park comprises five acres of parkland owned by the city and an adjoining space housing an office building and parking lot under the ownership of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Blue Cross and Blue Shield intends to move its headquarters downtown by 2025, which will open up the site for potential development. Designs by 3D showcase a Royals stadium featuring a seating area integrated into the slope, between the park and the neighboring property. Washington Square Park will keep a part of its charm while adding new public spaces, like a plaza and a team store to improve the surroundings.

Envisioning What Lies Ahead

The new stadium design is unique to blend in with the properties boundaries. There’s talk of adjusting Grand Boulevard to make room for it by slimming down the number of lanes. A potential “road diet.” They’re also thinking about adding a pedestrian bridge linking the ballpark to the Crossroads area so the Royals can expand into a mixed use district within 3D’s upcoming FreightHouse Village project.

Supporters of the Washington Square Park location emphasize its transportation options in contrast to the East Crossroads site. The park is situated next to Union Station and the streetcar line. Is within a four block radius of approximately 19k existing or future parking spots including those in Crown Centers garages. Furthermore, the area is enclosed by nine highways and eight four lane roads which provide connectivity, for fans heading to the stadium.

Steve McDowell from BNIM highlighted the importance of the location within Kansas City’s landscape by stating that their work in the Union Station District spans over five decades and that a new ballpark in the area would build upon numerous public and private resources already present there. Moreover, it ties back to a civic legacy that originated at the historic Municipal Stadium two miles away, to the east. He described this project as the final element needed to complete and enhance the core of the city.

To gather backing for their plan the team at 3D initiated a website called WeLoveKCBaseball.com showcasing a computer generated video tour of the planned stadium and an internet petition intended to rally support from residents and businesses in Kansas City. “The decision wasn’t about how much the city adores the Royals ” mentioned Brett Posten, a key figure, at Highline Partners. “It emphasized the importance of conveying our vision as a proposing team to gain public backing.”

The Next Step for the Royals

The Royals have not provided any feedback regarding the proposal for Washington Square Park ballpark yet. Mentioned that they are considering all possibilities for their decision making process soon onwards. Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas have both publicly encouraged the team to make decisions and finalize their plans within the next few months. As discussions surrounding the construction of a stadium for the Royals continue to unfold; Washington Square Park emerges as a top contender due, to its potential to redefine downtown Kansas City while also preserving and enhancing a much loved urban area.