American Royal Restarts Hype After Bitter Move To Kansas Stalled

Credit to our blog community . . .

EARLIER THIS YEAR TKC TIPSTERS MYTH-BUSTED THIS BIT OF KANSAS CITY HYPE!!!

Actually . . .

All we did was remind locals that big talk has yet to move any dirt. 

Probably because of our expert blogging . . . We're treated to a volley of more words and pretty pictures. 

Take a peek . . .

Discussion of a new headquarters for the American Royal dates to 2005. It picked up speed in 2011, when the organization and the Kemper family put forth a $60 million plan to raze the city-owned Kemper Arena — which lost most of its traffic once what’s now T-Mobile Center opened in 2007 in Downtown — and build a smaller events center for the American Royal’s livestock and equestrian shows and other events.

Despite the big names behind the American Royal’s plans, city officials also considered a proposal by developer Steve Foutch to redevelop Kemper Arena as a hub for youth and amateur sports.

The debate turned nasty at times, pitting the history of the American Royal against questions about its future viability.

The City Council undertook a request for proposals to save the arena — and the American Royal began looking at other locations.

Opinions about the American Royal’s impact and future remain split.

Maybe . . . 

But from our vantage . . . Kansas City residents didn't like local history held for ransom by the Kemper clan. And since that time we haven't seen a spike in rodeo demand. 

Of course we hope they make a horse race of it . . . But KCMO denizens still don't seem to keen on paying for this effort and/or concerned that we'll miss out on the party. 

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

American Royal's $350M KCK headquarters aims to champion education, agriculture - Kansas City Business Journal

A different kind of cultivation is occurring in western Wyandotte County this spring. Workers are turning dirt on a 127-acre site northwest of Kansas Speedway for the American Royal Association's new home. The complex will be a marked departure from the American Royal's current home and surroundings near the site of the old Kansas City Stockyards.