Business owners concerned about the potential impacts of a Crossroads ballpark

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Some stakeholders near the old Kansas City Star building are worried about what could happen to their business with the potential of their new neighbors.

On Tuesday, the Royals announced they’ve picked the Crossroads for a new ballpark.

READ MORE: ROYALS RELOCATE: Club announces move from Truman Sports Complex to the Crossroads

Kirstie Lynn, a bartender at Casual Animal, which is steps away from 16th and McGee Street, is nervous about what could happen.

“I’m afraid that a ballpark will come in, and instead of enlightening local business and local art, it would cast its shadow over it,” Lynn said.

Lynn said the Crossroads is a historical, cultural art, and local business district and worries about the area’s future.

“One of the draws of this area is it’s a historical, cultural art district, and I think it has a lot of charm, and I think it has a lot to offer the community as it is,” Lynn said. “I would like to see them reach out to local businesses in this area and really listen to our concerns and considerations.”

Caleb Cox-Johnson, the manager at Brick River Cider Co., shares the same concerns.

“If they’ve already made the decision, they’ve already made the decision,” Cox-Johnson said. “There’s not much we can do. I’m just worried about what local businesses are going to be torn down around here, affecting parking and stuff like that.”

Cox-Johnson hopes the team, county, and officials will work with the local businesses to create a plan that will work for everyone.

“Just a plan that will keep some of these local businesses alive down here,” Cox-Johnson said.

For more stories on the stadium development, click here.

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