Parks Board Crackdown For Royals Threatens Kansas City Voters

The push to takeover Kansas City park land for downtown stadium holds a myriad of unintended consequences. 

First and foremost, it might not fit.

Also . . . 

A tiny stadium built for lawyers and the upwardly mobile is antithetical to the very foundations of America's pastime. 

Yes, parking is still a problem.

But here's something that's even more important . . .

The brazen move to strip power away from the Kansas City Parks Board in order to accomplish the stadium threatens the electorate if only because developers are constantly working to bypass local government checks & balances.  

Sure . . .

The mayor appoints the board and he's free to request their dismissal . . . HOWEVER, citizen participation in protecting parkland is essential because it usually falls upon some of the most engaged voters and longtime local residents who truly have the best interests of KCMO at heart. Taking away their power opens up park land to EVERY DEVELOPER WHIM without even a hint of public debate, involvement or even knowledge. 

Hint: They'll use this power to bulldoze historic Plaza tennis courts without permission. 

Accordingly . . .

We're grateful for this former Parks Board dude as he steps up to better explain the problem that won't end with the Royals but might also threaten the Country Club Plaza and neighborhoods across the city.

Check-it . . .  

"But taking the control of the lease negotiations away from the parks department and the parks board could be detrimental to the parks department," former Parks and Recreation Commissioner David Mecklenburg, who was relieved of his duties during Lucas' first term in office, said when told the parks department could be leasing the land to the Royals. "That's my fear."

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

Royals lease negotiations could be 'detrimental' to parks: Former commissioner

Questions remain about where the team will be playing in 2031.