Stadium architect shares renderings hoping to bring Chiefs to KCK

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - A renowned sports architect is providing Kansas lawmakers with an idea of what a potential new stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs could look like if the team were to move across state lines.

Renderings from sports architect David Manica -- who has designed Allegiant Stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders and recently released renderings for a new lakefront stadium for the Chicago Bears -- were shared with KCTV Tuesday night. Manica said the design is for an area located at I-435 and I-70 near the Legends Outlets and Kansas Speedway.

Manica shared the renderings and a video as lawmakers in Topeka continue to discuss a potential STAR bond that would generate sales tax through new developments.

"The design offers Kansas City the potential for an incredible new home for the Chiefs -- and a modern stadium that brings Kansas City new opportunities to host a Super Bowl, NCAA Final Fours and a wider variety of concerts and family shows than ever before," Manica said.

Manica also is responsible for the designs of a new Nashville stadium for the Tennessee Titans.

One of the co-owners of Sporting KC, Robb Heineman -- who developed Children's Mercy Park -- reached out to Manica to create the vision. Heineman told KCTV the renderings were created as sort of a sales pitch to the landowners, the state, the county and the Chiefs to consider.

"There's a handful of developers that would include me and probably, two or three others that have said, 'Hey, look, this is absolutely the perfect site for a Chiefs stadium,'" Heineman told KCTV. "It's where the Chiefs should go. It would be not only amazing for the Chiefs, but for Final Fours and College Football Playoffs and you know, Taylor Swift and so on."

Currently, the plot of land sits vacant. Heineman said he believes the owners of the land are trying to decide what to do with the land.

Lawmakers said if the STAR bond passes by the Senate and House and is signed by Kan. Governor Laura Kelly, it would then give the Department of Commerce the authority to negotiate with the Royals or Chiefs to bring either or both to the state.

On Saturday, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said the team is reassessing their options for the future after a failed vote on Jackson County's 3/8th-cent sales tax extension. Hunt said reassessment could include building a new home for the team either with or without a dome.

Hunt also said Saturday the future might need to include the Chiefs and Royals planning a future separate from one another.

Manica said the design concept for the hypothetical stadium, which includes a roof, in Kansas City, Kan., is "inspired by the form and spirit of our historic Arrowhead Stadium, but it offers more diversity in the variety of experiences it will offer its fans."

"This site offers incredible access for everybody in the city," Manica said. "And, the total available area will provide an unbelievable tailgating experience that is supplemented by a fantastic mixed-use development."

Saturday, Hunt said that while the team hasn't held any talks with leaders in Kansas about the team moving across the state line, he did say the organization is working to come up with a new plan. That could include a new stadium.

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