The J.E. Dunn construction firm plans an expansion into Wyandotte County.
A company official presented a plan for a 22-acre site with a $9 million investment for an equipment rental facility at 240 S. 65th. The project was discussed at the Monday night Unified Government Economic Development and Finance Committee meeting.
Kurt Peterson, an attorney with the Polsinelli law firm representing Dunn, said it was a significant expansion from Dunn’s Missouri operations into Kansas. The site would eventually employ 65 persons, he said.
According to UG information, an 80,000-square-foot facility is planned, and it will consolidate three Dunn logistic divisions on the site.
The rental facility would lease equipment to Dunn’s affiliates and to third parties, Peterson said. Besides the $9 million investment, there also would be about $45 million invested in equipment, he said.
George Brajkovic, UG director of economic development, said the 22-acre site is currently vacant. The property currently pays the local government about $1,600 in taxes. He said the first year of revenues to the UG if the development goes in could be about $90,000 to $100,000. It will be a payment in lieu of taxes.
He said the project is applying for industrial revenue bonds, not backed by the UG, and it will qualify for a 65 percent abatement.
The site is very challenging, a long narrow piece of property with drainage issues, according to Peterson.
The development is expected to be considered by the UG Commission on May 15, and a public hearing will be held, Brajkovic said.