KC leaders support plan to raze, replace Kemper Arena

A letter signed by 75 business and civic leaders was sent to Kansas City Council members Tuesday, urging them to support the American Royal Association’s plan to tear down Kemper Arena and replace it with a new 5,000-seat arena and adjoining pavilion.

The letter supports the American Royal plan, which calls for $30 million in city funding and $1 million in annual city operating subsidies through 2039, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

Among those who signed the letter were Cerner Corp. principals Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig, UMB Financial Corp. CEO Mariner Kemper and JE Dunn Construction Group Inc. CEO Terry Dunn.

Read more from the Kansas City Business Journal.