American Royal Yanks Kemper Plan

Officials for the rodeo, livestock and horse show recently sent a letter to City Councilman Ed Ford that noted it was pulling its proposal off the table.

“We don’t think our further participation in a public debate regarding these facilities is healthy for our organization, our donors or our youth sports partner,” the letter said, according to the Kansas City Star.

“Thus, we will not be submitting a response to the RFP and will suspend all planning, participation in hearings and fundraising for the new Events Center.” The city council had been considering two proposals for the Kemper Arena that included developer Foutch Brothers, which wanted to turn the venue into a regional youth sports facility, and the Royal’s plan that was seeking $30 million from the city for the new building, a $1 million per year operating subsidy for 30 years and $20 million in state tax credits.

Foutch dropped its plan after the American Royal threatened legal action claiming the proposal interfered with the rodeo’s long-term lease on the complex, which runs through 2045.

The Royal’s letter did not threaten to leave Kansas City and instead noted the organization would “refocus our efforts on staging a successful 2015 season and ensuring our lease requirements have been met,” the paper said. City officials have recommended revisiting the Kemper issue after the first of the year.