Renderings show what a Royals stadium could look like in the West Bottoms

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - As conversation continues to ramp up over the future homes of the Chiefs and Royals, one architecture firm has produced visuals of a ballpark near downtown - but in Kansas.

Manica Architecture unveiled a trio of renderings to showcase their concept for a Royals Stadium in the West Bottoms that straddles the border of the Show-Me and Sunflower states.

The Royals told KCTV5 on Thursday morning that the team has no involvement with the renderings.

David Manica, the president and owner of the firm, stated that their design:

• Honors the playing field dimensions and symmetry at Kauffman Stadium, allowing future players to compare their statistics to their idols and protecting the legacy of the Royals’ record books.
• Has a vibrant outfield mixed-use district with bars, restaurants, beer gardens, rooftop terraces, watch parties and more.
• Features a Kansas-Missouri state line that is uniquely aligned with the Right field fence, where home runs can be hit out of one state and into another!

• Contains a ballpark orientation that frames the downtown Kansas City skyline.
• Showcases a masterplan that includes provisions for hotel, office and residential lofts.
• Shows an improved river’s edge with recreational activities, landscaping and a pedestrian promenade.
• Integrates a design of two of the most iconic aspects of Kauffman Stadium today, with the water fountains in the outfield, and iconic scoreboard crown.

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In late April, Manica also provided Kansas lawmakers with an idea of what a potential new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs could look like if the team were to move across state lines. The design is for an area located at I-435 and I-70 near the Legends Outlets and Kansas Speedway.

One of the co-owners of Sporting KC, Robb Heineman — who developed Children’s Mercy Park — reached out to Manica to create the vision. On Wednesday night, Heineman posted to social media Manica’s Royals stadium rendering.

On Tuesday, Kansas lawmakers passed a bill creating a special STAR Bonds District to lure the Chiefs and Royals across the state line.

Jackson County voters rejected a 3/8-cent sales tax proposal in April that would have gone toward funding a downtown ballpark for the Royals and renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.

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