A K.C. STAR editorial cited sources as saying that downtown interests -- led by the Downtown Council, a business group -- and a county official "met with the Royals within the past 90 days to talk about a ballpark in the heart of the city." It "does not appear the discussion involved concrete plans" for a new ballpark. Instead, it "consisted of a review of previous ideas in this realm." K.C.-based real estate company Copaken Brooks Principal Jon Copaken has "pushed for a downtown" ballpark for years and "appears to be behind the Downtown Council’s continuing interest in the idea." Sources said that the Royals indicated they still have "no interest in moving" to a downtown ballpark (K.C. STAR, 7/27).
TIME TO MAKE HISTORY: Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said that the company is "finalizing the design" for a $60M "historical-race wagering facility at its former Trackside training and simulcast wagering facility on Poplar Level Road in Louisville." Carstanjen said it will be both "innovative" and "competitive." In Louisville, Marty Finley noted CDI received "conditional approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to establish historical race wagering during a meeting in Frankfort last month." Carstanjen said that the facility will "initially be outfitted with 600 historical racing machines, which are similar to slot machines." If the facility proves successful, he said that the complex will be "large enough to bring in more machines as needed" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/27).
LET'S PARTY: In Minneapolis, Nicole Norfleet notes the Minneapolis Armory will be the site of a "high-production lineup of concerts" during the week of Super Bowl LII. The building, two blocks from U.S. Bank Stadium, is "transforming from a parking garage to an events space with room for 8,400 people." N.Y.-based Nomadic Entertainment Group and its Nomadic Live arm, which played host to Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars for performances in Houston during Super Bowl LI, "partnered with developer and building owner Ned Abdul to design the space" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/28).
