Newsletter
TIF HEARING SCHEDULED FOR BANNISTER MALL REDEVELOPMENT
On Wednesday, September 12th the Tax Increment Financing Commission of Kansas City will hold a public hearing regarding an amendment to the Three Trails District Tax Increment Financing Plan. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the TIF Commission office located at 1100 Walnut, Ste 1700, Kansas City, Missouri. The proposal provides for the following:
1. The modification of the Redevelopment Area to include the area highlighted on the map on file at the Commission office.
2. Demolition of Bannister Mall.
3. Demolition of the retail shops on the east and west of Hillcrest Road (on the west side the new fire station and the cosmetology school are to remain).
4. Demolition of two hotels on the south side of 87th Street.
5. Demolition of selected buildings on the south side of Bannister Road.
6. Renovation of one 100 room hotel on the north side of 87th Street.
7. Construction of up to 1,061,850 square feet of retail space.
8. Construction of an up to 250 room 160,000 square foot stadium hotel.
9. Construction of a 17,000 - 22,000 seat multipurpose facility and 12-18 tournament soccer fields.
10. Construction of up to 1 614,500 square feet of office/mixed use office.
11. Construction of public recreation areas.
12. Construction of all necessary public infrastructure.
13. Cost benefits revisions.
14. Update employment and construction information and revisions to Redevelopment Projects Costs budget.
The Redevelopment Area generally bounded by 87th Street on the north, the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks on the east, Bannister Road on the south and Interstate 435 on the west. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard at the meeting.
(September 2007)
KANSAS CITY BEGINS PROCESS FOR REDEVELOMENT
OF RED BRIDGE ROAD
The city of Kansas City, Missouri has engaged a team of consultants led by Bucher, Willis & Ratliff Corporation, a multidiscipline planning firm with national headquarters in south Kansas City, to conduct a study of Red Bridge Road from U.S. 71 to Holmes Road. The objective of this study is to determine what the community needs and wants for the future of Red Bridge Road.
The study will take place in two phases:
Phase I:
1. Key stakeholder interviews, including community organizations, elected officials and planning agencies.
2. Advisory Committee, including representatives of several community and neighborhood organizations.
3. Existing Conditions Tour to visit the street and identify existing conditions.
4. Scientific public survey. This random survey will seek the opinions of hundreds of residents who use Red Bridge Road frequently.
5. Communications outreach via media and a Web site.
6. Update traffic data.
Phase II:
1. Design Charrette, or presentation and public discussion of various design alternatives based on public input collected in Phase I.
2. Public meeting to review preliminary recommendations.
3. Presentation of preliminary recommendations to city officials and the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.
4. Final Community Meeting.
5. Presentation of final study recommendations to city officials and the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.
The Chamber serves on the Advisory Committee, representing the interests of the business community. The first meeting of the Advisory Committee was held at the end of August and the whole process is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
For more information visit the newly created website that has been established to allow South Kansas City residents to follow the progress of the development. The website is http://www.futureredbridge.com/.
(September 2007)
RETURNING CHAMPIONS WIN GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR
For the third year in a row the team from Owen Lumber Company in Belton walked away with the
win in the Kansas City South Foundation's annual golf tournament which was held on Friday, July 27, 2007 at Swope Memorial Golf Course.
"This golf tournament has grown tremendously over the past 17 years," said Chad Stotler, Chairman of the Foundation Golf Committee. "It's a great tournament where everyone has a lot of fun and shows good sportsmanship and I would like to personally thank everyone who participated for their support of the Foundation."
The Golf Tournament is one of two fundraisers each year to support the programs of the Kansas City South Foundation including Leadership South Kansas City, which was started in 1993 and is one of the best leadership development programs in the area. Proceeds will also help to fund new programs currently being developed in the K-12 Education arena.
See below for a complete list of tournament and contest winners:
1st Place Flight A - Owen Lumber Company
Peter Menihan, Chuck Weedman, Kevin Owen, Derek Dierks
2nd Place Flight A - Saint Joseph Health Center
Gordon Docking, John Davidson, Bob Frazier, Max Wuellner
1st Place Flight B - Mark One Electric
Vince Migliazzo, Wayne Parsons, Carl Privitera, Tim Scott
2nd Place Flight B - Rosehill Gardens
Curtis Stroud, Ben Broich, Ryan Broich, Gary Weidenback
1st Place Flight C - DeVry University
Shane Smeed, Sam Smeed, Gerry Ellis, James Horton
2nd Place Flight C - Open Team
Joe Huber, A.L. Huber Construction; John Lewis, PHD Painter & The Deck Doctor; Cathy Lewis, PHD Painter & The Deck Doctor; Brian Verbraken, Sherwin Williams.
Men's Longest Drive
John Crump,
Women's Longest Drive
Cathy Lewis, PHD Painter & The Deck Doctor
Longest Putt
Chuck Gromowsky, Almar Printing
Closest to the Pin
Rick Smith, Kansas City Power & Light
Putting Contest - Tie for 1st
Wayne Parsons, Mark One Electric
Kent Williams, Taylor Kelly Construction
A Huge Thank You to the following people who volunteered
at the Golf Tournament!!!!
Keri Abell, Hangers Cleaners
Ted Bolin, Time Warner Cable
Anna Diamond Coble, O'Shaughnessy & Lee GMAC Real Estate
Glenda Gish, Jackson County CASA
Mike & Judy Graf
Monica Greer, Honeywell
Carol Grimsby, Jackson County CASA
John Grossnickle, UMB Bank
Jeff Harkins, Kingswood
Chris Jackson, M&I Bank
Patricia Mader, DeVry University
Diane Mannion, MCC-Longview
Donna McLaury
Jeanette Metzler, St. Joseph Health Center
Joan Mizner, KC Home Builders Association
Jackie Myers, Better Business Bureau
Linda Nelson, MCC-Longview
Carol Owsley, Community Assistance Council
Anne Pearson, The Meadows Apartments
Melissa Richardson, CARSTAR
Lacey Smith, Avila University
Dee-Dee Stokes, Affordable Elegance
Chad Stotler, KCATA
Regina Taylor, Hickman Mills C-1 Schools
(August 2007)
NEW TRANSIT CENTER OPENS IN 3-TRAILS CROSSING
Commuters passing through 3-Trails Crossing now have a great place to park and ride at the northwest corner of Route 71 and Red Bridge Road.
The Transit Center provides 197 parking spaces for travelers. It will soon be served by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority's Metro, which this fall will schedule north-south Route 71 buses through the 3-Trails Crossing. Currently, the Transit Center offers parking for ride sharing and carpooling, with convenient access from all directions.
Of the 197 parking spaces, 189 slots are regular 9-by-20-foot spaces, 6 are 13-by-20-foot spaces for handicapped parking, and two spaces are even larger - 14-by-20-foot slots - for vans.
The new Transit Center is built on the site of the former Jefferys Station freight and passenger depot serving the Frisco Railroad, reflecting another aspect of the 3-Trails Crossing's transportation heritage.
The Transit Center is a $520,000 investment to encourage efficient transportation options. MoDOT and KCATA are partnering to provide lighted parking, shelter and direct access to transportation routes. It is connected not just to Route 71, I-435 and I-470, but to city streets such as Red Bridge Road and Grandview Road, and to multi-use trails for pedestrians and bicyclists. Bicycle racks will be installed soon, and Metro buses are bike rack equipped.
(August 2007)
ORDINANCE INTRODUCED FOR EXTENSION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS SALES TAX
On July 31, 2007 Council members Cindy Circo (fifth district, at large) and Russ Johnson (second district, in-district) introduced an ordinance to authorize a special election to extend the one percent sales tax for capital improvements for another ten years.
"The renewal of the sales tax will provide our neighborhoods with more funding for neighborhood projects," said Councilwoman Cindy Circo. "Extending the tax will help all of our neighborhoods and allow us to implement real improvements citywide," added Councilman Russ Johnson.
The one-cent capital improvements sales tax funds the city's public improvement needs, and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2008. The ordinance introduced by Circo and Johnson will authorize a special election to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, and if passed by the voters, extend the one percent sales tax for a period of ten years, to expire on December 31, 2018.
The ordinance language is the outcome of extensive public outreach. Councilmembers Circo and Johnson asked other Councilmembers for input and for suggestions on key individuals and organizations from each Council district that could contribute to this process. Circo and Johnson sought input from stakeholders including neighborhood and civic groups, neighborhood and business interests, regional and citywide interests, and others knowledgeable about the City's capital program.
"We've held more than 60 meetings and received valuable input from individuals and organizations citywide," said Councilwoman Circo. "The ordinance language reflects the valuable insight we gained from those conversations with citizens."
"We're pleased that through this public input process, we've found a fair and realistic formula to meet the needs of every part of our City," said Councilman Johnson. "We've increased the allocation to our neighborhoods. We will continue to pave streets and work to control stormwater. These capital projects impact everyone's quality of life," continued Johnson.
The ordinance will require that an amount equal to at least the total of sales tax receipts raised through this tax to be budgeted to the capital program as recommended by the Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) and approved by the City Council. Of this amount, an amount equal to at least 35 percent of sales tax receipts must be used for neighborhood conservation, maintenance, and improvements, divided equally among Council districts. An amount equal to at least 15 percent of the receipts must be used for capital maintenance.
"We're committed to ensuring that everyone gains from the renewal of the capital sales tax," said Councilwoman Circo. "We want to hear from as many people as possible, and we encourage input during the rest of this process."
(August 2007)
CHAMBER MEMBER NOMINATED FOR ETHICS AWARD
South Kansas City Chamber member Southeast Enterprises has been nominated for the 2008 Heart of America Ethics in Business Award. This award is a collaborative program of Midwest Christian Counseling Center and Baker University's School of Professional and Graduate Studies. Its purpose is to recognize those companies, organizations, and individuals who have successfully integrated ethical business and social responsibility into daily decision-making.
Southeast Enterprises is a sheltered workshop. Our mission is twofold. First, we provide jobs and vocational support to individuals who's intellectual and developmental disabilities make it difficult to secure employment in a competitive setting. Second, we provide area businesses with an economical way to outsource their handwork while contributing to the community.
(August 2007)
BROWNFIELD FUNDING TO BE TOPIC OF MEETING
There is now over $2,200,000 in Brownfield grants and loan funds available for projects in Kansas City, MO and the City of Kansas City needs your help to decide where and how to target this assistance to help clean up blighted properties, create jobs and new economic opportunities, and improve health and the environment for residents throughout the City.
On August 22nd, 2007, a meeting will be held at the Discovery Center, 4750 Troost, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to help review brownfield grants and resources, consider project needs, and identify new projects that may need federal or state brownfield assistance. A "brownfield" is a property that remains vacant or underused because, in part, of the presence or perception of environmental contamination.
Space is limited so please RSVP to (816) 513-3002. Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you feel may have an interest in a blighted, brownfield site in their/your community. Thank you and we hope to see you at the meeting.
(August 2007)
CHAMBER INSTITUTES NEW CANCELLATION AND BILLING POLICIES
At its July board meeting the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors established the following polices regarding invoices for luncheons and other networking events. If you have any questions or concerns about these policies, please contact Vickie Wolgast at (816) 761-7660.
Event Cancellation Policy
If a reservation is made and not cancelled 48 hours in advance of the event, you will be billed for the event. You may send someone else from your company in your place if you cannot attend.
Billing Fee Policy
The South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce will add a $2 billing fee to invoices following any event where the attendee asks to be billed or does not cancel their reservation a minimum of 48 hours prior to the event. This fee will help cover the costs of staff time and supplies needed to create and send out the invoice. This policy does not pertain to invoices for sponsorships or donations being made to the organization.
(August 2007)
