Mayor Lucas Proposes Moving Kansas City Royals to Washington Square Park
A bold new vision for the future of Kansas City’s urban core took center stage during the Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon on Friday, April 10, 2026. During the event, Mayor Lucas revealed a plan to move the Kansas City Royals from Kauffman Stadium to Washington Square Park, calling on the community to show their support for the project.
The proposal represents a significant shift in the city’s sports landscape, aiming to integrate professional baseball more deeply into the heart of downtown. While the Mayor has laid out the vision, the Royals have not yet agreed to a deal.
The 2026 Downtown Council Annual Luncheon
The announcement was made at the 2026 Downtown Council Annual Luncheon, themed “Welcoming the World, Building on our Legacy.” Held at the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at 1502 Wyandotte, the event serves as a critical gathering for those invested in the innovation and collaboration driving the city’s urban development.
The luncheon featured Carol Coletta as the guest speaker. Coletta, a Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and a recognized urbanist, is known for leading transformative public space initiatives, including the creation of Tom Lee Park in Memphis. Her expertise in creating inclusive and vibrant cities provided a fitting backdrop for the Mayor’s proposal to relocate a major sports franchise to a central public park.
Prior to the luncheon, the “Spirit of Downtown KC Exhibit” showcased more than 40 businesses, development projects, and cultural arts programs, highlighting the existing momentum within the city’s core.
Current Status of the Stadium Proposal
Despite the Mayor’s public push and the strategic alignment with urbanist goals, the transition to Washington Square Park remains a proposal. According to reports from FOX4KC, the Kansas City Royals have not yet reached an agreement on the deal. The project’s success will likely depend on further negotiations between the city and the team’s ownership.
Key Takeaways
- The Proposal: Mayor Lucas wants to relocate the Kansas City Royals from Kauffman Stadium to Washington Square Park.
- Current Status: The Royals have not yet agreed to the deal.
- Event Context: The plan was revealed at the Downtown Council Annual Luncheon on April 10, 2026.
- Urbanist Influence: The event featured Carol Coletta, an expert in transformative public spaces and a 2025 ULI Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development recipient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the proposed new location for the Royals?
The proposed location is Washington Square Park in downtown Kansas City.
Who spoke at the Downtown Council Annual Luncheon?
The featured speaker was Carol Coletta, a nationally recognized urbanist and Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow.
Has the move been finalized?
No, the Royals have not yet agreed to a deal regarding the move to Washington Square Park.
As Kansas City continues to evolve its urban core, the potential relocation of the Royals stands as a pivotal point in the city’s development strategy. The coming months will be critical in determining if the team and the city can reach an agreement to bring major league baseball into the center of the city.