Month: July 2015

UG Commission to consider bonds for U.S. Soccer training facility tonight

Bonds for the U.S. Soccer training facility near the Schlitterbahn are on tonight’s Unified Government Commission agenda.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at the Commission Chambers, City Hall, lobby level, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan.

The commission is asked to approve bonds not to exceed $66,000,000 to finance costs of the project plan. The location of the improvements is near 98th between State Avenue and Parallel Parkway. The project was approved last year by the commission.

The UG is considering the issuance of sales tax special obligation (STAR) bonds.

According to information presented by Lew Levin, UG chief financial officer, at a UG committee meeting on Monday, July 6, there was a delay in moving forward with the financing attributed to the delayed action by the Kansas Legislature in determining its final state sales tax rate. The STAR bonds are based on a pledge of state sales tax.

Levin said the debt service on the bonds will be paid from future incremental STAR bond revenues.

During Monday night’s vote to move this item forward to the full UG Commission, Commissioner Jim Walters, senior principal of Populous architects, recused himself, because his firm is involved in the project. Commissioner Ann Murguia stated that although Robb Heineman, CEO of Sporting Club, serves on the board of directors of the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association, of which she is executive director, Murguia had received an ethics opinion from the ethics administrator that she should disclose any potential conflict, and she could then vote on it.

On another item, the commission also is scheduled to vote to split “project area 2” of this expanded STAR bond district at the Schlitterbahn property area into two parts. A public hearing would be set on Aug. 13 to consider this. According to UG information, the developer wants to proceed with the part of the project that has established commitments to take advantage of a favorable bond market condition. Project area 2 has an estimated $115 million capital investment.

The new project area 2A would include four automotive dealerships, a convenience store, and two restaurant sites on the west side of 98th street, according to UG documents. Project area 2B would include the remaining automotive dealerships, extended stay hotel, and two restaurant sites on the east side of 98th Street.

The four automotive dealerships in area 2A would be completed and opened for business by Dec. 31, 2016, with the nearby convenience and restaurant sites completed Dec. 31, 2017. The other auto dealerships in project area 2B would be completed and opened for business by Dec. 31, 2017, according to the proposed agreement.

Of a STAR bond issue of $100 million maximum, about $10 million would cover the UG’s costs for temporary notes it incurred in improving 98th Street, and to pay for costs of the S curve required by the Dairy Farmers of America transaction, according to the agreement. The rest of the $90 million would cover the cost of the developer’s project, according to documents. There would be two separate STAR bond issues.

As part of the agreement, SVV (Schlitterbahn Vacation Village) has agreed to complete entrance drive improvements at St. Patrick’s Church, across State Avenue from the waterpark, and new connecting drives to the medical plaza located to the west of St. Patrick’s, and close the existing Schlitterbahn entrance drive. Instead of starting these improvements by Sept. 15 of this year, this agreement would allow SVV to start by Dec. 31, 2016, as long as it closes the current Schlitterbahn entrance drive before Dec. 31, 2015, according to the agreement.

57th and State Redevelopment District
The UG Commission also is scheduled to vote on setting a public hearing on establishing a 57th and State Redevelopment TIF District. The district boundaries are 57th and Meadowlark Lane on the east, North 59th on the west, north of State Avenue on the north, and south of State Avenue on the south.

The area includes a lot of rough terrain area that might require considerable work for the project. Up to five years of grading the property would be expected, officials said, and there might be a cost of about $5 million if a third-party contractor were to do the work. The proposal is for the developer to do site preparation work first, before bringing forward any potential tenants.

Clifford Dale appeared at the July 6 committee meeting to describe the project.

If approved, a public hearing would be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

Vending machines
A 90-day moratorium on enforcing a vending machine ordinance in Kansas City, Kan., is also on the agenda. The commission previously approved a 120-day moratorium. If the new moratorium is approved, enforcement might begin after Oct. 1. To see a previous story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/ug-commission-to-weigh-in-on-pop-machine-question/.

Electronic cigarettes
Additional changes have been proposed to an ordinance to prohibit electronic cigarette usage in areas that are smoke-free. Some changes were made to comply with a state law. See previous stories, https://wyandotteonline.com/ban-on-electronic-cigarettes-in-kck-advances/ and https://wyandotteonline.com/effort-underway-to-ban-electronic-cigarettes-in-kck/.

Marathon runs
Changes to an ordinance have been proposed to coordinate marathon runs and deal with the increase in UG staffing required from the Police Department. See previous story, https://wyandotteonline.com/no-free-rides-for-marathons-if-proposal-is-approved/.

Short-span bridge replacement
Also on the agenda is a resolution authorizing a survey of land to be acquired for a short-span bridge replacement project near 2600 N. 131st. It will widen an existing structure.

Special meeting for administrator’s report
The UG Commission also is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the fifth floor conference room, Suite 515, at City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kan. The administrator’s quarterly report will be presented. After the report, there will be a closed executive meeting in the ninth floor conference room regarding labor.

Downtown KCK adds its first pop-up shop

Downtown Kansas City, Kan.’s first pop-up shop will open on Friday evening for a public reception.

The .POP! Shop (pronounced dot pop shop), a fine arts gallery, will open with an exhibit and reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 10, at 731 Minnesota Ave. There is no admission charge. The public is invited.

The shop carries fine arts and handmade items. Eight artists and seven creators of handmade jewelry and other items have their works on display at the shop.

The owner of the gallery reached out to the Downtown Shareholders after it issued an invitation for proposals as part of its Pop-up KCK program, according to Downtown Shareholders marketing coordinator, Katy Schamberger.

Downtown Shareholders served as the facilitator, connecting business owners and entrepreneurs with downtown Kansas City, Kan., property owners who had agreed to make space available either at no charge or below market rate, she said. The idea was to give business owners and entrepreneurs an opportunity to test their businesses downtown for a short time, with as little expense to the business owner as possible.

The Downtown Shareholders are hoping new pop-up businesses decide to stay downtown.

Sarah Preu owns this first pop-up shop to open. She is planning to be open through the fall and has expressed interest in staying open past that time as long as business allows, Schamberger said.

Preu, a former Kansas City, Kan., resident, had help from Downtown Shareholders Director Chuck Schlittler and DTS Economic Development Coordinator Daniel Serda, in finding a space. The 731 Minnesota Ave. building is the former Anchor Saving and Loan Building. It has been remodeled and is now owned by Martell+Leon LLC, and offers visibility along Minnesota Avenue.

“As a downtown KCK business, we need to take advantage of the visibility we get from the 7,000 daytime employees in downtown,” Preu said. “Let’s give them unique storefronts to spend their money in. Let’s give them quality goods and services on their lunch breaks and after work. I would love to help control the conversation about downtown KCK and take back the narrative from people who haven’t lived here and don’t know the wonderful, creative people of our community.”

The items to be offered in the shop include fine arts, ceramics, textile arts, prints, jewelry and home goods. Local museum curators were asked to help assemble a group of new and emerging artists. The first art show and reception on July 10 is called “Nice to Meet You.”

“As we’ve seen time and time again in other areas of the metro, a strong arts community is a strong community in general,” Preu said. “Artists are perfect community builders because they manage to do a lot with very little.”

Preu said a percentage of sales will go to www.youthambassadorskc.com, a youth development organization with a chapter in Kansas City, Kan., that focuses on therapeutic arts and writing, among other life skills. The group has done a front window mural for the fine arts gallery, which will act as its sign.

“Downtown Shareholders of Kansas City, Kan., is thrilled that Sarah chose downtown KCK for her endeavor and excited that she and Martell+Leon LLC agreed on terms beneficial to both,” Chuck Schlittler, director of Downtown Shareholders, said. “It demonstrates the welcoming and responsive spirit of our downtown.”

Schamberger said that A Cup on the Hill coffee shop across the street from the gallery will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

Artists whose works are scheduled to be on display on Friday evening:
Lisa Jacobs Haberstroh – printmaking
Krista Mustain – textiles
Joha Bisone – painting
Genevieve Casey – photography
Sarah Smith – painting, mixed media
Stacey Cook – textiles, mixed media
John Casey – metal sculpture and handmade guitars
John Hernandez – sculpture
The makers whose work will be on display Friday evening include:
Rakun jewelry
Not for Hipsters
Stuntbaby Handmade
Folded Pigs ceramics
Paper by Kelsey Pike
Stationery by Adriana Luna
Two Tone Press

For more information about the .POP! Shop, visit www.dotpopshop.com.

Fort Leavenworth to lose 60 positions, Fort Riley to lose 615 troops in military cuts

Kansas officials reacted to today’s announcement of a reduction in troops at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley.

Defense spending cuts announced today by the U.S. Army would result in 60 fewer troop positions at Fort Leavenworth and 615 fewer troop positions at Fort Riley. Overall, throughout the military, there will be a reduction from 490,000 to 450,000 soldiers, according to the announcement. Besides the 40,000 soldiers cut, there will be an additional 17,000 civilian employees cut. The cuts were attributed to budget constraints.

If fiscal caps of the 2011 Budget Control Act, known as sequestration, are not addressed, more personnel cuts could take place by the end of fiscal year 2019, reducing the Army to 420,000 soldiers, according to the Army’s announcement.

Some other troop cutbacks in other areas of the nation were much worse than cuts to Kansas bases, according to a statement from Gov. Sam Brownback.

“As expected, the Army is being forced to make difficult decisions due to federal budgetary constraints and today announced that Ft. Riley will face reductions of 615 active duty soldiers and Ft. Leavenworth reductions of 60 active duty soldiers,” Gov. Brownback said in a statement.

“Although no cuts would be preferable, many other installations fared significantly worse. The limited reductions to the Kansas Army installations are a credit to the remarkable commitment of local communities and those serving on our Kansas installations,” Brownback stated.

“While today is an important step for Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth’s communities as well as the state, we must remain vigilant in our support during this time of budget uncertainty. If sequestration is not corrected, the Army will be forced to make further substantial cuts, which could negatively affect Army bases in Kansas,” Brownback stated.

He stated he would continue to work to support the military bases, leadership and the soldiers and families stationed at the two bases.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Army’s announcement of force strength reductions at bases across the country including Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley:

“Unfortunately, constrained defense spending has forced the Army to make difficult decisions. However, it is evident the Army understands the contributions Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley make to our national security given the minimal reduction of Kansas soldiers,” Sen. Moran stated.

“Through constant, high-level engagements with Army leadership on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and back home in Junction City – with an unparalleled turnout of Kansans during the Listening Session in February – our state has clearly demonstrated support for our service members and their families. I am pleased Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley survived this significant challenge, but will continue to work to make certain the Army does not pursue additional reductions. Additionally, I will work to ensure the Department of Defense has the resources necessary to train and equip our soldiers to defend our country and safeguard Americans.”

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., also issued a statement:

“The communities surrounding Ft. Riley and Ft. Leavenworth can be very proud. They helped convince the Army to retain such strong numbers when major cuts are being made across the country. Kansans have once again shown they provide our military with the best support anywhere in this nation. Compared overall, Kansas cuts amount to less than two percent of the overall national reduction, reflecting the valuable role both forts serve for the Army and national security. The grassroots efforts we have seen have in both communities were key to preventing more drastic cuts.

“I am proud of the men and women who serve at all of our military installations, and I’m even prouder of how Kansas has embraced the armed forces and their place in our communities.”