Business owners, artists hold event opposing proposed Royals stadium
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Performers took to the stage Wednesday night at one East Crossroads business, sharing why they are voting no to the Kansas City Royals proposed stadium and they’re doing so in their own way.
FOX4 spoke to the owner of the music venue as well as record label to hear what concerns they have if voters approve the measure.
Steve Tulipana is the owner of is the owner of recordBar, a music venue in East Crossroads, the area the Royals are eyeing for its proposed new stadium.
“We’re calling it the Big K (No) Ow Show because we think the yes campaign has been manipulative with campaigning and marketing,” he said. “Everyone’s anxious, very anxious.”
Royals CEO talks how stadium tax vote could affect minority communities in KC
Everyone, including Kim Stanton, executive producer of Rural Grit Records.
“We’re trying to do what we can to save the fabric and the community of the Crossroads,” she said.
Walking down the area, you’ll likely hear live music, but business owners fear that sound will be drowned out by more traffic, commotion and construction.
“To be honest, I don’t know how we’d survive even through the construction phase,” Tulipana said.
Many of the business run on sales from ticketed events. There’s concerns what they could be up against on game days.
“They will look at a calendar and they will say ‘how can that be the same date,’ is it worth for me to buy this $35 ticket when I know I am going to have to battle the crowds,” Tulipana said.
And what could happen to the community.
Royals announce plan to keep Oak Street open in Crossroads ballpark
“People come here for an eclectic reason,” Stanton said. “That changes the focus of the neighbor and this is an arts community and that’s how we want to keep it.”
As for the “vote yes” event, Johny’s Tavern had originally planned to host an event Wednesday night with Royals CEO John Sherman. A spokesperson for the “vote yes” committee says the event for supporters was moved to a bigger venue.
