Category: Unified Government Commission

A Unified Government committee on Monday night advanced bond issues for the Homefield development project totaling up to $270 million.

The approval for the bonds now will go to the UG full Commission meeting on Thursday, April 7. The Homefield development is located near 90th and State Avenue, in an area including the former Schlitterbahn water park plus some surrounding land.

The three items that were approved Monday night by the Economic Development and Finance Committee include up to $160 million in STAR (sales tax revenue) bonds; industrial revenue bonds up to $65 million for the Homefield sports building, a multi-use recreational and commercial facility; and industrial revenue bonds of up to $45 million to acquire, construct and equip the Homefield baseball complex.

The $648 million project also includes a Margaritaville hotel and resort, with 250 rooms. STAR bonds will fund about $130 million of the project, with the rest from private investments by developers and their associates, according to Kathleen von Achen, UG chief financial officer.

When the project is completed, it is estimated to produce about $10 million a year in new property tax revenue, von Achen said.

The development agreement for the Homefield project was approved previously in January, according to von Achen.

The STAR bonds will refinance an $8.5 million Series 2015B STAR bond issue, from the Schlitterbahn era, that will eliminate the UG’s agreement to use revenues to cover shortfalls in sales tax revenues to repay the 2015 bonds, according to von Achen.

The Homefield building and Homefield baseball are scheduled to open by July 1, 2024, according to Katherine Carttar, UG economic development director.

The IRBs will have a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes schedule for each part of Homefield.

An outside consulting firm, PGAV, estimated that the development would have a positive effect on businesses that are in or near the Village East redevelopment area.

For example, when the development is built, Freddy’s restaurant was estimated to increase its annual sales volume by $600,000; the nearby Menard’s store was estimated to have a $235 per square foot sales volume; Frontier Justice was estimated to have an $8 million in annual sales; Camping World was estimated to have $40 million in annual sales volume; and a Jeep sport utility vehicle dealership was estimated to have annual sales of $36 million, according to PGAV figures.

For more details on this project, view the meeting video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3mrskVcxDc.

Two Unified Government standing committees will meet tonight.

The UG Economic Development and Finance Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Monday, April 4.

An ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $160 million in sales tax special obligation revenue bonds is on the agenda. The bonds would be for the Homefield development in Village East Project areas 2B, 3 and 5.

Also on the agenda is a resolution of intent to issue up to $65 million in industrial revenue bonds to finance the cost of acquiring, constructing and equipping the Homefields sports building, a multi-use recreational and commercial facility. The location is at the northeast corner of 94th and State Avenue.

A cost-benefit analysis for the project will be submitted. According to the analysis, a 150,000-square-foot building will be used for sports training and associated activities, plus outdoor artificial turf fields for various sports. The project is expected to produce 134 new jobs. The analysis stated the main benefits from this project will be in bringing visitors to the area and their associated retail spending.

Another resolution on the agenda is an intent to issue up to $45 million in industrial revenue bonds to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing and equipping the Homefield baseball complex. The youth baseball complex would have at least 10 lighted fields with technology to enhance individual and team training, according to a report in the agenda. It would create about 125 full- and part-time jobs.

As with the other IRBs, the main benefit of this project would be to increase the amount of retail sales in the area from visitors who come to the Homefield complex.

If the Homefield items pass the EDF Committee, they are recommended by staff to be “fast-tracked” to the full UG Commission this week for a vote on Thursday, April 7.

Also on the EDF Committee agenda are a report on the fourth quarter 2021 cash investments; a report on the fourth quarter 2021 budget revisions; and a reporet on the fourth quarter 2021 budget vs. actuals.

In addition, a presentation on WyCo Works and small business development programs is scheduled.

The UG Neighborhood and Community Development Committee will meet after the EDF Committee.

On the NCD agenda is an ordinance to adopt a proposed building and fire code updates. The UG is discussing adopting the 2018 codes.

Also on the agenda is a resolution of support for Neighborhood Business Revitalization organizations, including in Edwardsville and Bonner Springs.

Land Bank option applications are also on the agenda, including:

New construction, single-family homes, three homes:
• 1 N. 80th Terrace, Darrick and Jamie Shipley.
• 1960 N. 6th St. Gordillo Ramon Hernandez.
• 2007 S. 19th St., Arthur Babick.

New construction, multi-family, 30 units:
• 2110 N. 51st St., Raj Bhatia, 24 units.
• 928 New Jersey Ave., 934 New Jersey Ave., 936 New Jersey Ave., Samuel Roark, three duplexes.

New construction, garage, three:
• 1948 N. 17th St., Cristina Rodriguez.
• 909 Ann Ave., Leandro Chavez.
• 216 N. 12th St., Martha Ochoa.

The standing committee meetings will be on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81064400742?pwd=MVVZWEtHWUlaK0h4SUp1cWJZd3o1UT09.

The passcode is 877464.

The toll-free phone number is 877-83-5257 or 888-475-4499.

The public also may go to the City Hall lobby at 701 N. 7th St. to watch the meeting.

The meeting also is expected to be on UGTV cable channels and on YouTube.

Melissa Sieben, assistant county administrator, will leave for a new post as director of municipal services and operations in Lawrence, Kanas.

Interim UG administrator Cheryl Harrison-Lee announced Sieben’s resignation during the March 31 UG Commission meeting.

As assistant UG administrator, Sieben led more than 15 city and county departments, developed several major strategic initiatives and has worked with data-driven change within city and county operations.

“I appreciate Melissa Sieben for her commitment to the Unified Government and Wyandotte County,” Mayor Tyrone Garner said. “We wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.”

Sieben’s last day with the UG will be April 20.

Since 2015, Sieben has been instrumental in convening a multi-department initiative to address blight, litter and code enforcement issues through better internal communication and coordination. She developed and launched data dashboards to track the progress of these initiatives and has been an advocate for change and collaboration throughout her tenure.

Additionally, Sieben has been a long-time steward and champion of the KC Levees Project, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bring much-needed flood protection to neighborhoods along the Kansas and Missouri rivers.

“Ms. Sieben’s public sector experience started long before her tenure with the Unified Government and we extend our sincerest appreciation for the time and commitment she has brought to our community,” said Unified Government Interim County Administrator Cheryl Harrison-Lee.

Prior to joining the Unified Government, Sieben served local governments in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. She is currently the president of MOARC, the Missouri and Associated Rivers Coalition, and president of the Kansas University City Managers and Trainees Alumni Organization.

“It has been an honor to serve Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS for the past seven years,” Sieben stated. “I have been blessed to work with staff and elected officials that have such a beautiful passion for this community and a positive vision for our future! Working to address community concerns around blight and abandoned properties will be my favorite memory and has invigorated a revitalization of the eastern half of this city. Additionally, securing full federal funding for the raising of the levees along the Kansas River will continue to be one of my proudest moments in public service!”

• Story from Unified Government