May 1, 2025- On April 24th, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced their pick for the museum expansion. After holding a global competition and a months long selection process that included 200 firms from over 30 countries, Kansas City’s most venerable arts institution unanimously chose the WEISS/MANFREDI proposal to move forward with its planned expansion. John and Marny Sherman expressed their disappointment the Nelson Atkins rejected their museum expansion bid.
Nelson’s Expansion Plans
Moving forward with the WEISS/MANFREDI plan means the Nelson did not choose the Sherman plan for the museum’s expansion. The Sherman plan was a late and somewhat controversial plan. It featured no expansion of the existing art galleries, but instead included a 34,000 seat baseball stadium. There were loose plans to include a Royals portrait gallery attached to the Royals Hall of Fame. Plans included commissioned portraits of esteemed Royals like Whit Merrifield, Bob Hamelin, and Jim Eisnereich.
No funding was to be provided by the Royals, instead leaving the Nelson to raise funds on its own. The Royals also graciously offered to lease Southmoreland Park from KC Parks and Rec for $1 a year. The park would be converted to new luxury condos and an additional parking garage. A Longhorn Steakhouse and a Twin Peaks Restaurant were scheduled to become anchor commercial tenants. The centerpiece of the new development would be an expanded Royals pro shop.
The chosen WEISS/MANFREDI plan will add around 61,000 square footage to the museum. It will also expand spaces for classrooms, and renovate parts of the original Nelson-Atkins building. The construction on the west side will also re-center the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park. The entire plan is estimated to cost $160 million dollars. The Nelson has already begun a capital campaign to raise 100% of the project from private donations. The Sherman plan would have added $1.2 billion to the cost of the expansion. The Royals plan did include the addition of a Claus Oldenburg shuttlecock in left field.
Sherman’s Quest for a New Royals Stadium (for free, of course)
The Royals released a short press release after the announcement. “Obviously, the Royals are disappointed the Nelson-Atkins chose another plan for their expansion. “We felt the south lawn of the Nelson was a perfect place for a new Royals Stadium. The Nelson Lawn gave us an opportunity to connect us to the city we play in. We would have activated such an under developed space with an exciting ballpark! We will reflect on this outcome and find a way forward for the Royals and their fans.”
This is the latest rejection for the Royals since announcing plans for a new stadium. With sites in the East Village, Clay County, the Crossroads, Washington Square Park, shelved, the Royals are left without a concrete plan. Which is ironic, because the ‘concrete cancer‘ that is infecting the current stadium kicked off this Quixotic quest.
John Sherman has made it well known the first date with his future wife was a Royals game. It was a less known fact that their second date was a picnic on the Nelson lawn. “We didn’t see much art, but the caviar, sauvignon blanc, and company was wonderful!”
“I thought after that stupid Jackson County vote in April we were done with this city and county! Building our new stadium on the Nelson lawn made too much sense!’ Marny Sherman, wife of Royals owner John Sherman said in a facebook post. “Unfortunately, the Royals will never work with the Nelson-Atkins again. The Royals deserve a world class ballpark, why will nobody just give it to us?”
The Nelson’s Response
The Director of the Nelson in charge of the expansion commented, “We are very proud of this once in a lifetime chance to work with WEISS/MANFREDI on such an important expansion project. We’re not looking to replace the building in 17, 38 or even 56 years. With this expansion, the Nelson-Atkins will remain a world-class art museum for Kansas City for generations!”
When asked to comment on the feasibility of adding a Royals stadium on the Nelson lawn, the Director replied, “We really couldn’t see a way to raise a billion dollars of additional private funds for another private business. We discussed the scenario with some of our longtime financial supporters. They laughed at such a ridiculous handout for a billionaire. We love the Royals and wish them luck, we’re confident they’ll pull things together and figure out their place in Kansas City!”
Royals Moving Forward
If finally constructed, a new Royals stadium would be the latest sports facility built in the area. The most recent stadium construction project is the 100% privately financed CPKC Stadium. That 11,500 seat stadium is the home of the NWSL’s KC Current women’s soccer team. The Royals are not without hope of somebody giving them a new billion dollar stadium. Politicians in Kansas are lining up to spend STAR bonds to fund a possible Royals and/or Chiefs move to the Sunflower State. It would add to the sporting allure of a men’s soccer stadium built in the parking lot of the Legends Mall, itself on the edge of the parking lot of the NASCAR track.
The Kansas City Royals are currently in third place in the American League Central. Since John Sherman bought the team in November 2019 for $1 billion dollars, the Royals have a 323-416 win loss record . That is good for 25th out of the 30 Major League teams in that timespan.
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