Kansas City Business Journal: As KC Stadium Chatter Swells, Experts Talk Facilities Design, Funding

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Urban Land Institute’s Kansas City chapter organized an event where expert panelists discussed formulas for the design and financing of sporting venue projects. “It’s a difficult decision for some communities (whether to invest public dollars). That being said, no one wants to lose a team, and that’s part of the discussion. ... Unfortunately, that does happen,” said Irwin Raij, co-chair of the Entertainment, Sports & Media Industry Group at O’Melveny & Myers LLP. “Stadiums have unique roles. ... There’s an experience there that's hard to define. It’s almost a feeling more than anything else.” In the past three years, Raij continued, community-benefit agreements have become essential for new venues that plan to receive public subsidies and that they generally provide participation in construction for minority and women-owned businesses.

Kansas City Business Journal can read the full article here.