After examining its planned capital projects, the Unified Government Commission tonight voted unanimously to advance a downtown redevelopment project on Minnesota Avenue.
In a special session following a review of capital maintenance improvement projects, the commission approved the project at 736 Minnesota Ave.
In earlier meetings, former Mayor Joe Reardon had presented the project on behalf of Loretto Properties, which is redeveloping that 736 Minnesota Ave. building and the old Katz building nearby. As part of the proposed agreement, the UG would be asked to move up the scheduled renovations to Minnesota Avenue.
Lamar Hunt Jr. and James Arkell with Loretto Properties are developing the project, which is planned to be a showcase for development in the downtown corridor.
The building at 736 Minnesota is currently owned by the UG, and would be purchased by the developer for $100,000, according to UG documents. The developer would agree to invest $1 million to $1.5 million in redevelopment improvements in buildings along the avenue.
The UG in turn would move up its planned Minnesota Avenue improvements, estimated at around $1.4 million.
At the May 16 meeting, some commissioners asked for more information about what projects might be cut out of the capital maintenance five-year plan if the Minnesota Avenue street improvement project moved forward. Originally the UG planned to vote on May 29, but moved the meeting to May 22.
UG Administrator Doug Bach said some of the items being moved back include signal replacement work, about $400,000; $300,000 out of the neighborhood street resurfacing; and arterial collection resurfacing, a few hundred thousand dollars.
Commissioner Mike Kane said these developers are not just interested in the east part of town, but also in other parts of town, including the western area.
“They’re excited about Wyandotte County, they’re excited about the things happening here, and that’s why they came here,” Kane said. “If you’ve got folks who have money on the hook, well, let’s just hook them.”
To see an earlier story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/downtown-redevelopment-project-proposed-on-the-avenue/.