KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The American Royal Association can continue moving forward with its plans for an agricultural center in Wyandotte County.
On Monday, the planning commission of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County approved of a preliminary development plan and special-use permit for the nonprofit.
The American Royal Association has acquired 115 acres of land in Kansas City, Kansas, for its “epicenter of agriculture.” It purchased 47 acres earlier this year and will lease another 68 acres from the Patterson Family Foundation.
Lindsey Patterson Smith, member of the American Royal Board of Directors and Director of the Patterson Family Foundation, said that her late father, Neal Patterson, believed in American Royal’s values in the agriculture industry.
“While we wish he were here to see this progress, my family and I are proud to be involved in this important initiative and are excited to see what the future holds,” Patterson Smith said. “This is about more than just building a state-of-the-art complex; it is about creating a place where relevant conversations and events around food, fiber and fuel happen.”
The complex is expected to span more than 1 million square feet and include an outdoor plaza/arena. It will also feature more than 800,000 square feet of indoor event space.
Officials expect to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in spring 2020, according to a news release, with construction beginning that summer. For more information, visit the American royal Association’s website.
