KC Royals in the Heart of the City
More than two years ago, I received a phone call from committed downtown supporter and Crossroads developer, Vince Bryant. What began with a spirited conversation born out of a passion for Kansas City became the design proposal by BNIM and our partners for Washington Square Park as the new home for the Royals. Early in the process we joked that no major league team has lost a home game in a BNIM designed ballpark, because there are none. There was never a thought that would change; Populous will design the new stadium. However, BNIM did what BNIM does best, stepping into a complex moment to address both community challenges and opportunities. Vince, Erik Wullschleger, and others, the team helped shape a clear vision and strategy for Washington Square Park and the former Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters, reimagining them as a vibrant new destination and a catalyst to keep the momentum alive and moving forward in the heart of the city.
We first revealed our proposal to the Royals and later the city. Since then, we have engaged with Jackson County, Downtown Council, Union Station leadership, Hospital Hill leadership, and other community leaders. We later launched a website that has received support and elevated the conversation about the site. The questions and feedback we received affirmed that the comprehensive approach of imagining a new stadium as a public-private partnership and an ecosystem that is both supportive of and supported by the new development.
Together this team including James Pfeiffer, Craig Scranton, and Hannah Gray from BNIM proved that the site was viable and that parking, access from throughout the region, a generous street network converging upon WSP, streetcar connectivity [5-7,000 fans per game are no longer than 15 minutes away] and complementary development needs are accommodated by the site and the surrounding area. Nearly 20,000 parking spaces, nine interstate highway access points, abundant public park and plaza spaces and zero business displacements.
The team recognized the nature and importance of this site as being the civic heart of our entire region. Don’t we all from across the region believe that Union Station is our place, regardless of what City or State we reside in? Washington Square Park and the Blue Cross Blue Shield grounds are next door to Union Station, across Pershing from the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and Crown Center, at the southern edge of the Crossroads Arts District and the perfect viewing spot for the Downtown skyline. The team also capitalized on the site’s geographic connection to the Royals’ origins in 1969. Municipal Stadium was at 22nd and Brooklyn, this site is at 22nd and Main and 22nd and Grand. Buck O’Neil’s Monarch’s uniform number was 22.
There is another reason why this site is the right civic decision. It fits in scale and reinforces and complements that already grand composition of this part of the city. Union Station, the Post Office/ IRS complex, National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Western Auto Building, the buildings along Grand east of the park and the depressed parking area all create an environment—like a catcher’s mitt ready to welcome the new stadium.
