Building Blocks: K.C. Company Unveils Drawings Of New Arena

K.C. Mayor Kay Barnes yesterday "offered an initial glimpse" of the new downtown arena, planned as part of a $1.8B sports facilities and downtown revitalization project, according to Howard Richman of the K.C. STAR. Richman writes that the preliminary arena drawing, done by K.C.-based HNTB Corp., was "high on hopes but short on details. There were no schematics of what the inside might look like, no accompanying construction schedules." And though HNTB provided the drawing" yesterday, an architect "has not yet been identified." City council member Paul Danaher "isn't convinced" a new arena would work without an NHL or NBA tenant. Barnes yesterday announced the formation of a working committee to "address the planning: of a downtown arena. HOK Sport co-Founder Ron Labinski "will have an integral role" on the committee. Richman adds that "early speculation" puts the cost of the 18,000-20,000 seat facility at $175-225M (K.C. STAR, 12/11).

THE SEARCH IS ON: THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF K.C.'s Brian Cookson reports that the MLS Wizards are looking at building a soccer stadium "somewhere in the metro area." Wizards GM Curt Johnson said that an "ongoing feasibility study began four months ago." Johnson added that the team has looked at half a dozen sites, but "would identify only the Truman Sports Complex as a possible location." Plans call for a 17,000-22,000 seat facility costing $25-30M (THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF K.C., 12/7 issue).