Back To The Drawing Board For Kemper Arena

Kansas City, Mo., wants new ideas for the aging Kemper Arena after competing proposals submitted by the American Royal nonprofit that’s used the building for years and a plan to turn the venue into a youth sports facility were both withdrawn last year.

Photo: Americasroof

as seen from Quality HIll.

Councilman Ed Ford said during a recent Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee meeting the city would issue a request for proposals in coming weeks with responses due 90 days later, according to the Kansas City Star. The American Royal, which apparently isn’t planning to submit a new proposal, was miffed after its idea to replace the arena with a new $50 million building fell flat.

Royal chairman John Mitchell noted in a speech in February that the rodeo is being pursued by officials in Kansas to set up shop across the state line, the Star reported.

“It sure feels good to be courted,” Mitchell said, adding the Royal is merely in early talks regarding a move. The city still owes $4.25 million on a bond issue for the arena that’s due by April 2016, the paper said, after which the building could be redeveloped or sold.

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