Category: Business

Mayor sees increased development as key to tax issues

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

The message from Mayor David Alvey Friday, Nov. 20, was that the solution to Wyandotte County’s problems is to grow the property tax base, not to increase taxes.

Mayor Alvey spoke to about 80 members of the Congressional Forum Friday, Nov. 20, via Zoom. The forum is a committee of the Kansas City, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce.

The tax base continues to increase. Earlier this year it was slightly more than $1.447 billion. The plan is to expand the tax base so there is less dependence on the individual resident and small business. To borrow a phrase out of the cliche closet, “A rising tide raises all boats.”


Although Wyandotte County has made significant strides in attracting development, it falls short when compared with Johnson County. Johnson County’s valuation is more than $11.7 billion.

Mayor Alvey said Kansas City, Kansas, has reduced its mill levy and ranks 14th among Kansas cities. The mill rate in Kansas City, Kansas, has been cut from 44 to 38 mills.

Mayor Alvey praised the efforts of Greg Kindle, the president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, and Katherine Carttar, the director of economic development for the Unified Government, for their efforts in attracting new development. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Wyandotte County is on target to attract $1 billion of new and increased development this year.

Recent new attractions include the Menard’s store in Village West. Another Menard’s is planned at I-35 and 18th Street. The mayor also bragged about attracting the Urban Outfitters’ fulfillment center that will be on property on the southeast corner of 118th Street and State Avenue.

The mayor admitted that dealing with the coronavirus has been a serious challenge with furloughed employees at the Unified Government and curfew decisions that have made it difficult on certain small businesses such as restaurants and bars.

In a comment session, Joe Vaught, a commercial Realtor and a member of the Congressional Forum, said that a major drawback to development is the poor quality of schools in the Kansas City, Kansas, District.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and the Piper Press.

Nebraska Furniture Mart announces mask policy

Effective Nov. 27, Nebraska Furniture Mart will require all customers to wear a mask or face shield for in-store shopping at all NFM locations, according to an announcement from the store.

Entry will only be granted to those wearing a face mask or face shield. Children under the age of 5 are exempt.

The retailer’s mask policy currently allows an exception to be made for customers citing a medical reason for not wearing a mask. Moving forward, anyone who has a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask must wear a face shield.

Customers who opt out of wearing a mask or face shield can still take advantage of NFM’s new virtual shopping service or shop online and over the phone, with same-day delivery or pickup available on many in-stock items.

Throughout 2020, NFM has adapted to the ongoing pandemic by introducing new services like virtual shopping and same-day delivery in addition to existing services like online shopping and drive-through pickup, according to a spokesman.

In light of the rising numbers of positive COVID cases throughout the United States, this updated policy is designed to help ensure the health and safety of NFM customers and staff as the retailer enters the busy holiday shopping season. The new face covering policy is expected to remain in effect into 2021, and NFM will continue to update its policies in accordance with recommendations from the CDC and local health departments.

For more information, visit https://www.nfm.com/covid-19-updates.

Legends Outlets has holiday plans, with social distancing

The holiday shopping season is almost here, and like nearly everything else in 2020, the experience at Legends Outlets will differ from years past.

To ensure the health and safety of its retailers, guests and employees, holiday plans have been adjusted to align with community safety measures recommended by the Wyandotte County Health Department.

Legends Outlets will offer smaller activities throughout the season and encourage shoppers to experience the Christmas tree light and music show anytime they visit the center. The activities, which include a themed selfie station, movies on The Lawn, character appearances, text-to-win giveaways, and more, limit person-to-person contact and serve as a way for shoppers to enjoy the holiday season in a safe, socially distanced environment.

Additionally, Legends Outlets will continue to operate under modified hours throughout the holiday season, including on Black Friday. This year, the center is closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving, and opens at 8 a.m. on Nov. 27 for Black Friday shopping.

Holiday plans include:

Christmas Tree Light Show

• When: Friday, Nov. 20 – Thursday, Dec. 31 (during center hours)
• Where: The Civic Courtyard Fountain

Shoppers are invited to experience Legends Outlets’ tree light display on their own time this holiday season. Because of COVID-19, there was no gathering for a lighting ceremony this year. Beginning Nov. 20, festive decorations synchronized to holiday music will light up the 45-foot holiday tree in the Civic Courtyard and continue daily until Dec. 31. Shoppers are encouraged to share their festive photos at Legends Outlets using #LegendsHoliday.

Santa Mail Station

• When: Saturday, Nov. 14 – Sunday, Dec. 20 (during center hours)
• Where: Civic Courtyard, near the AMC entrance

Santa’s elves are teaming up with Legends Outlets this year to make sure Santa receives your child’s wish list. Children are invited to drop their letters in Santa’s mailbox, which is located near the AMC entrance. Please make sure to include a return address so Santa can write back. If you do not have a letter and your child is interested in writing to Santa, templates are available at Books-A-Million and in the Legends Outlets management office.

Sleigh Selfie Station

• When: Friday, Nov. 20 – Saturday, Dec. 26 (during center hours)
• Where: The Lawn

Stationed in The Lawn, Santa’s sleigh is available for photos during center hours throughout the holiday season.

Additional photo opportunities at Legends Outlets this holiday season include window artwork of Santa and his elves, a giant snow globe (Dec. 5) and festive greetings in giant LED letters (Dec. 19-20). Please visit www.legendsshopping.com/all-events/ for a list of all the holiday photo opps coming to Legends Outlets this holiday season.

Movies on The Lawn

• When: Select days in November and December
• Where: The Lawn
• Titles: Home Alone, Elf, Frozen, The Grinch, Polar Express, The Muppet Christmas Carol & more

o Please visit www.legendsshopping.com/all-events/ for a schedule of holiday movies on The Lawn.

Character Appearances

• When: Select days in November and December, including the following:
o Nov. 21: Leo the Lion, Chase from Paw Patrol and Breena the Mini Pony
o Nov. 27: The Grinch, Olaf and more
o Nov. 28: Buddy the Elf
o Dec. 5: The Grinch
o Dec. 12: Frozen characters

• Where: Center-wide

o Visit www.legendsshopping.com/all-events/ for a list of characters coming to Legends Outlets this holiday season.

Black Friday Shopping

• When: Friday, Nov. 27: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Legends Outlets is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, and opens at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, for Black Friday shopping*. This year, Black Friday will include text-to-win giveaways, roaming character appearances, holiday movie screenings on The Lawn, special savings, and more. Please visit www.legendsshopping.com/all-events/ for more information about Black Friday.

While Legends Outlets will officially remain closed on Thanksgiving Day, some store and restaurant hours may vary. Call individual retailers to inquire about operating hours on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26.

Center Hours

Regular Hours:

• Monday-Friday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Holiday Hours:

• Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving): CLOSED
• Friday, Nov. 27: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 28: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve): 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 25 (Christmas): CLOSED
• Thursday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve): 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Friday, Jan 1 (New Year’s Day): 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

For more information about Legends Outlets holiday plans, and for an updated calendar of holiday activations, visit www.legendsshopping.com.