Kansas City, Mo., officials hoped that a meeting on Monday to discuss the Royals’ future downtown ballpark would be an open forum for community discourse, instead the meeting was marred by demonstrations, yelling and significant disruptions that forced city officials to end the meeting early.
According to KOAM, the community engagement meeting began with title sponsor Hallmark, architects and local leaders sharing details about the project, including the stadium itself, entertainment district and transportation plans.
"We want to make sure we're making the right improvements," said Brooks Sherman, Royals vice president.
However, during the question and answer portion of the meeting that centered on the use of tax dollars to fund the project, attendees started booing, chanting and demanding a public vote on the proposed plan. Officials attempted to call a recess and regroup, but the demonstrations continued, leading to the abrupt conclusion of the meeting.
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Videos shared from the meeting show a mostly full auditorium with city officials and team leaders on a raised stage. As yells rose up from the crowd, a woman with a microphone on stage announced that there would be a short break before they could “Deal with what they needed to deal with.”
Audience members continued to shout over the woman as she provided instructions, saying “Either you will let the people speak or we will shut it down. Your choice.”
In response, an audience member can be heard yelling back, “We’ll shut it down for you. How about that?”
According to KMBC, the Royals have not said whether the team plans to hold another public meeting to address the community’s concerns; however, a public hearing with the planning commission is the required next step before they make the final development decision.
