It's too late to do anything but grab ankle on this deal but let's take a realistic look at what the Sprint Center offers Kansas City residents:
KC folks can't get tickets to the events at the place.
The arena won't help business at the P&L District because history has shown us this same plan didn't work for Kemper Arena. Folks will go to their chosen event and then head home - Which isn't downtown because the numbers for population inside the loop have always been FAKE.
The Sprint Center will dramatically raise downtown parking prices. A great many parking lots are unregulated and you'll definitely hear people complain when they are directed to lots that charge up to and more than $40 bucks for a single event. Yep, things are going to get a lot more "competitive" downtown. Translation: Hefty price increases for convenience.
Did I mention the ticket fiasco? The Sprint Center will profit Ticketmaster far more than the people of Kansas City. As the ticket trust organization gouges prices for events that "regular folks" in Kansas City can't afford to see, you'll be hard pressed to find anybody who benefits from the company's greed.
The secret luxury suites are all owned by corporations and JoCo folks . . . You might be able to prove me wrong, IF the information wasn't guarded with more secrecy than Gloria Squitiro's shoe size.
NO ANCHOR TENANT YET!!! The Mayor failed to do anything about this before the opening of the place and as the months (and years) go by the allure of the Sprint Center will fade for a franchise that wants to relocate. KC voters were PROMISED a team and the failure to deliver just reflects on the overall failure of the Sprint Center to live up to it's hype.
Finally, let's not forget that the art adorning the place was put together by a NYC artist and the choice completely overlooked local talent. Also, every time I look at the place I can't help but remember that all of the glass in the building was manufactured in China . . . Which doesn't count as minority participation in the construction of the project, because there was almost none.
So who stays winning with this deal?
Ticketmaster, of course.
AEG
And the people who own pricey nearby parking lots.
Without a doubt, the only thing that people in Kansas City Proper got out of the deal was even more taxes for our town.