Kemper Redevelopment Close

The final obstacle to Kemper Arena’s redevelopment has been cleared with the American Royal Association agreeing to give up its lease claim to the long-dormant Kansas City, Mo., venue.  

Americasroof – Kemper Arena
as seen from Quality HIll. 

Kemper ownership was to transfer to Foutch Brothers, which plans to develop the venue as a regional destination for youth and sports and rename it the Mosaic Arena, according to the Kansas City Star.

The City Council’s Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee endorsed a change to the city’s 50-year lease with the American Royal Association, with the property transfer expected Aug. 25.

Foutch is planning $25 million to $30 million in improvements.

Part of city’s the lease change redirects events at Kemper to Hale Arena, according to the Star.

Most of those events were rodeos and horse shows, with the 2007 opening of Sprint Center taking up the vast majority of any concert dates.

According to Pollstar tour history, both Kemper and Hale arena all but stopped hosting concerts altogether around 2008.

On Aug. 24 much of Kemper Arena was auctioned off, including the Big 12 tournament court for $32,600, Kansas City Kings court for $32,105, and at a relative bargain, Kemper Arena Jumbotron $1,650.