Governor Laura Kelly and Mayor Christal E. Watson announced on November 9 that the State of Kansas and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, have reached a cooperative agreement. This pact resolves several outstanding issues regarding the proposed stadium project for the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a significant step in the development process.
The agreement finalizes the specific boundaries of the state’s STAR Bond district. It also defines the area where local sales tax revenue will be pledged to support the project. Furthermore, the deal clears the path for Mayor Watson to join the board of the Kansas Stadium Funding Authority. The announcement noted that the agreement will be fully executed once the authority’s chair signs the document.
The 11-member funding authority is expected to hold its first meeting within two weeks, with a target date of November 23. This development follows a unanimous vote by Unified Government commissioners on November 5. During that session, officials pledged local sales tax revenue and a portion of transient guest tax revenue. These funds will be collected within a local STAR Bond district limited to the proposed stadium and its immediate surroundings.
The pledged local revenue will assist in repaying state bonds for the proposed $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas. Governor Kelly described the broader financial arrangement as a $4 billion deal. She stated that settling these outstanding items is a decisive step forward for all parties involved. Kelly emphasized that every detail is critical when working on a deal of this magnitude and that strong partnerships paved the way for a shared path forward.
In addition to the financial terms, the state agreed to remove the Quindaro Ruins area from its larger STAR Bond district. This change allows for potential future development at the historic site, according to the official announcement. The Unified Government also agreed to permanently dismiss its lawsuit against the state once the cooperative agreement is fully executed. This dismissal follows a previously announced settlement that preserved local protections, including oversight by the Board of Public Utilities and a role in project governance.
On November 5, commissioners also voted to repeal two measures that had been approved on October 8. Those measures would have exempted the Unified Government from parts of a state law governing the stadium project. Staff indicated that the October measures were not legally valid because they were published only once instead of the required two times. Repealing them was intended to clear up existing legal questions.
Under the new agreement, Mayor Watson will hold a voting seat on the stadium funding authority board. She will also serve on the Community Impact Committee described in the Chiefs’ STAR Bond agreement. Watson described the outcome as a win for the people of Wyandotte County, the State of Kansas, and the Chiefs.
The mayor expressed appreciation for the collaboration among all parties and the willingness to reach compromises. These compromises ensure the stadium gets built on schedule while addressing local community concerns. Watson noted that the stadium will provide meaningful benefits to the community through economic opportunities, increased tax revenue, and anticipated job creation.
