Kansas City Chiefs seek $150 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium
07/10/2001
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs have told civic leaders they want help paying for a $150 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.
In a proposal presented to Jackson County officials, the Chiefs said they may be willing to spend $30 million of their own money for renovations, The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday.
The $150 million plan presented to county officials last month nearly doubles the estimate presented to civic leaders two years ago. It mirrors the renovation proposal of the Kansas City Royals, who use Kauffman Stadium next door to Arrowhead.
Part of the money needed to finance improvements to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums would come from a bistate tax that would be voted on in November 2002. Aside from the Chiefs' potential contribution, the other money is tentatively slated to come from Missouri state funds.
Jack Steadman, chairman of the Chiefs, said renovation costs have increased in two years because the team wants to expand concourses and add restrooms.
"We can bring Arrowhead up to and equal to the best stadiums in the country instead of building a new one," Steadman said. "It's a question of whether you want to pay a little now or a whole lot later."
The Royals made a similar preliminary proposal to county officials recently, but the plan has not been finalized. Estimates of their renovation project are also in the $150 million range. Royals owner David Glass has not made a financial commitment to the proposal.
Steadman said the Chiefs are willing to consider paying for improvements to the club level and for construction of new luxury suites -- remodeling projects that could cost up to $30 million.
"Until we get final plans, it's hard to say," Steadman said. "But we will pay our fair share. ... It could be in that range."
Arrowhead Stadium is the 10th oldest stadium in the National Football League, and Kauffman is the 12th oldest in major league baseball.
Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields said she agrees that both stadiums need renovation, but she and the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority are still reviewing the plans.
"Whatever improvements are made, the issue is extending the life and viability of those stadiums," Shields said, "and to make some significant improvements on them would be the most cost-efficient way to do that."
Royals and Chiefs officials believe the changes would generate more revenue and make the stadiums comparable to facilities in other cities. They also could help the county persuade both teams to extend their current lease agreements, which expire in 2015.
Steadman said the Chiefs would agree to extend their lease for another 25 years if Arrowhead is renovated.
Recently, Missouri Gov. Bob Holden said he supports a $646 million development plan in downtown St. Louis that would include a new stadium for the Cardinals. Under that plan, the state would spend $100 million toward the construction of the ballpark. The Cardinals would provide $20 million worth of land and an additional $118 million.
That proposal needs state and local approval.
Since that announcement, Kansas City officials have been seeking assurances that state will also provide money to Kansas City. After the St. Louis announcement, Glass said the idea of a downtown Kansas City stadium should at least be explored. Since then, however, he has expressed a preference for continuing renovation plans at Kauffman.
Steadman also believes a new stadium is not necessary, given the $500 million it would cost to construct a football stadium. He said the money would be better spent on improving Arrowhead.
"We feel it is smart for the community to start thinking in terms of keeping the stadiums state of the art," Steadman said. "They were state of the art 30 years ago, but that is no longer the case. It's a beautiful stadium, it just needs more space."
