Award: MLB ballpark
Value: $1.9 billion total project cost
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Client: Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals have waved home a joint venture to serve as construction manager at risk for the team’s new $1.9 billion ballpark in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
Minneapolis-based Mortenson and local builder McCownGordon Construction will deliver the 1.25-million-square-foot venue, according to a Monday release shared with Construction Dive. Construction of the stadium will arise within a broader $3 billion mixed-use district. Kansas City-based JE Dunn will help shape the surrounding neighborhood in the broader 85-acre district, according to MLB.com.
The open-air ballpark will house about 34,000 fixed seats, including multiple premium experience levels. The project team is eyeing a May 2027 groundbreaking, per the local NBC news affiliate, with a completion date in time for opening day 2030, per the release.
The JV will also partner with Parson + Associates, a Kansas City-based community engagement firm, which will help the project recruit local trade partners and workers, per the release.
Mortenson is a heavy hitter in the ballpark construction space. Its recent major-league builds include the Atlanta Braves’ $672 million Truist Park and $202.5 million in renovations on the Cleveland Guardians’ Progressive Field. Mortenson is also building the $1.5 billion future home of the Las Vegas Athletics in a JV with McCarthy Building Cos.
In fact, Mortenson scored another stadium job in August, albeit in a different sport. The firm will construct the $3.8 billion home field of the Washington Commanders, along with Clark Construction and Smoot Construction Company of Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, McCownGordon is an employee-owned construction management firm that delivers projects in the commercial, healthcare, education, civic, industrial and manufacturing and sports and entertainment sectors.
“As a Kansas City-founded company, this opportunity is especially meaningful to us,” Ramin Cherafat, chairman and CEO of McCownGordon, said in the release. “Beyond creating an exceptional destination, we are honored to help build something that reflects the spirit and pride of the people who call this region home.”
