In a press statement released on Wednesday morning, Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman unveiled significant changes to the plans for a new baseball stadium in the heart of Kansas City's Crossroads district. The adjustments, Sherman explained, were made in response to community feedback and aimed at preserving an essential roadway.

Sherman expressed gratitude to Mayor Quinton Lucas for his leadership and ongoing support in creating the best possible ballpark district in downtown Kansas City. The CEO highlighted the importance of listening to the Crossroads community, engaging in thoughtful conversations with the City Council and the Mayor, ultimately leading to the recognition of the significance of keeping Oak Street open.

Acknowledging Oak Street as an integral part of the downtown experience, Sherman declared a change in the ballpark district design to ensure the street remains accessible. This decision, outlined in the statement, marks a collaborative effort between the Kansas City Royals, the Mayor, and the City Council.

The original plans for the site included not only the new stadium but also a hotel, team offices, and a residential and entertainment venue extending from Truman Road between Grand Avenue and Locust Street down to 17th Street. However, concerns arose regarding the closure of Oak Street within that block, where the new stadium would intersect with the proposed ballpark district, hotel, and conference center.

A representative from the Kansas City Royals emphasized their commitment to keeping Oak Street open for pedestrians, bicyclists, and car traffic. The team has consistently stressed their dedication to engaging with and listening to the Crossroads community, and this adjustment to the plans reflects their ongoing work in that regard. They view the project as a means of connecting downtown neighborhoods, with the preservation of Oak Street aligning with that objective.

The statement issued by Sherman did not specify the impact of these changes on businesses currently operating in the area, such as the recently opened Green Dirt on Oak. Owner Sarah Hoffman expressed her devastation at the potential disruption caused by the stadium plans. However, the future implications for businesses in the vicinity and the status of the hotel and conference center plans were not addressed in the statement.

Following the upcoming April 2 election, the collaborative and thoughtful process between the Kansas City Royals, the Mayor, the City Council, and Crossroads small businesses will continue, according to a spokesperson. The rise in early voting, partially attributed to the stadium sales tax issue on the ballot, suggests a higher-than-normal turnout on Election Day.

Moreover, a recent poll conducted by the Remington Research Group via phone and text messaging revealed a tight race. Out of the respondents, 47 percent indicated support for the "repeal and replace" option, while 46 percent would vote against it. With a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent, the predicted results indicate a close outcome.

As the Kansas City Royals gear up for their Opening Day game on Thursday, CEO John Sherman's announcement of modifications to the stadium plans demonstrates the team's commitment to listening to the community's concerns and engaging in a collaborative effort to create an exceptional ballpark district in downtown Kansas City.