Search
 

City Mulls Upgrade of Kemper Arena

KANSAS CITY, MO-Improvements would take place inside and outside the facility, including a big expansion of the venue and more parking.

By Judie Burkhalter | Updated on December 13, 2000

KANSAS CITY, MO-In an effort to retain the annual Big 12 men’s basketball tournament and to attract other events, Kansas City officials are considering a major expansion plan for Kemper Arena, located in the West Bottoms west of Downtown. The proposal calls for a $25-million renovation on the west side of the arena. Upgrades would include new concession stands, wider corridors, larger locker rooms and the possibility of corporate suites. Design details and financing are still being discussed.

“Various leaders of the sports community and business owners in the West Bottoms are working to decide what to do with Kemper Arena,” says Joe Serviss, chief of staff to Mayor Kay Barnes. “The talk is hypothetical at this point, but it is in response to the Big 12 and keeping the tournament at Kemper. One of the key criteria to the continued use of Kemper is to improve areas such as the concessions and locker rooms.”

Kemper Arena has been the home of the Big 12 tournament and previously the Big 8 tournament since the post season tourneys were begun back in 1977. After the Big 8 added four schools from the Southwestern Conference, the conferences offices were moved to Dallas. In 1999, a decision was made to hold the tournaments in Kansas City this year, next year, in 2002 and 2005. The tournament in 2003 and 2004 will be moved to the American Airlines Arena and Reunion Arena in Dallas.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.