Ingram's June 2022

Memorial Stadium replaced by Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead at the Sports Complex? Be honest. What if, with the need for optimal soccer facilities for the World Cup and given the extraordinary run the Kansas City Chiefs have had in recent years, Kansas City considered the construction of a World Cup soccer stadium that would become the home of the Chiefs in the Fall of 2026 and international soccer matches in future years? Consider for a moment the invest ment made from cities and regions that host the Summer and Winter Olympics and how these cities usually flourish from their investment and benefit long term by use of these assets and sports facilities. Correct me if I’m wrong, but can not Kansas City become the Sports Capital of the World if we put our hearts in it? And can not the collective will of the architec tural and engineering design community coupled with the world class general contractors here rally to accomplish this challenging feat? I had a conversation the day I write this with long-time friend and President of the Midwest Region of J.E. Dunn Construction, Paul Neidlein. Said Paul, “Build a world class MLB and/or NFL Stadium in KC in four years! Are you nuts man?” But it could be done. Right? Good point. Look, I lack the financial heft or political power to drive decisions. I lack too the design prowess to create plans for such a bold concept, but I will tell you this. I’m surrounded by all of those brilliant leaders who collectively could drive a concept this bold. That is if the politicians do not impede the progress by squabbling over who gets what piece of the action. Regardless of the aforementioned, infrastructure is vital and public trans- portation essential. It’s time to concur- rently finish the expansion of the Stre etcar to the Plaza and design a Downtown to the Sports Complex line and a central ized transit hub. Hey—Union Station! Let’s be real. The financial strain to fund such investment would be monumental. Consider as well, how useful Royals Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium are. Part of the reason is that 50 years ago these were state-of-the-art

stadiums—designed by the best in the business from right here in Kansas City. And we’ve invested heavily multiple times to keep them renovated and competitive. But have you been to Las Vegas to see the Raider’s new stadium? Or to a Chiefs game in Houston against the Texans? Take a close look at many of the newer stadiums around the country. Our design community from right here in River City designed all of these great stadiums. If the Royals owners were to move the team Downtown or consider moving to Kansas, and the Hunt family and the Chiefs made the commitment to build a state-of-the-art football (and occasionally used for soccer) stadium, the massive need for parking may keep them at the Sports Complex. I’d think building a new stadium where Royals Stadium is presently located would make the most sense. But timing with the World Cup eliminates that option. There is plenty of room, however, at the Sports Complex to build a new football stadium and to utilize it and Arrowhead as well for the World Cup. 54 years is a long life for a professional sports stadium, and I personally think it’s time to build both new stadiums and to bring baseball downtown. Michelle and I lived in St. Louis for several years, and I was raised a Cardinals fan (my great aunt was the team chaplain for years). There is no better fan experience than enjoy ing the city life before or after a game. Downtown KC would flourish. What if, now that we’ve earned the right to host the World Cup, we turn on the after-burners and exceed everyone’s expectations? It would be a very bold move to consider either of these sug gestions but here’s another: Continue to maintain Kauffman Stadium and repurpose it to become the best outdoor concert venue in the nation, or the home of the College Baseball World Series, or the home of the Kansas City Monarchs? Fifty years ago our business and government leaders aligned to remake Kansas City into one of the most vibrant cities in the nation. What if we reload our creative juices after enjoying the celebration being named a World Cup host city and reclaim the prominence this city enjoyed many decades ago.

Editor-in-Chief & Publisher Joe Sweeney | JSweeney @ Ingrams.com Editorial Director Dennis Boone | DBoone @ Ingrams.com Senior Editor Jack Cashill | Editorial @ Ingrams.com Columnists Director of Sales Michelle Sweeney | MSweeney @ Ingrams.com Art Director Traci Faulk | Production @ Ingrams.com Contributing Photographers Chris Crum Richard Rosenberg Sporting Kansas City Copy Editor Nancie Boland | Editorial @ Ingrams.com Ken Herman KC Mathews Stacia Williams

Advertising @ Ingrams.com Digital @ Ingrams.com Editorial @ Ingrams.com Production @ Ingrams.com Research @ Ingrams.com Subscriptions @ Ingrams.com

COPING WITH COVID-19 (in each issue) and Weekdays in Ingram’s eNEWS and INGRAM’S EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS Sign Up: www.Ingrams.com or Digital@ Ingrams.com

SHOW-ME PUBLISHING, INC.

President Joe Sweeney | JSweeney @ Ingrams.com Senior Vice President Michelle H. Sweeney | MSweeney @ Ingrams.com

2049 Wyandotte Kansas City, Missouri 64108 816.842.9994 Fax: 816.474.1111

Ingrams.com MISSOURI’S AND KANSAS’ DIGITAL BUSINESS MEDIA The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted © 2022 by Show-Me Publishing, Inc. with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use in any manner of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited. The magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Ingram’s reserves the right of unrestricted editing of articles. Submissions must be in writing to be considered. Ingram’s (ISSN #1046 9958) is published monthly by Show-Me Publishing, Inc. at 2049 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108. Price: $44.95 for one-year, $69.95 for 2 years and $99.95 for 3 years. Back issues are $5 each. Periodical postage paid at Kansas City, Missouri, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please email address changes to JRyan @ Ingrams.com, fax to 816.474.1111 or mail changes to Ingram’s Magazine at 2049 Wyandotte Kansas City, Missouri, 64108.

6

I n g r a m ’ s

June 2022

Ingrams.com