Table of Contents - Unified Government of Wyandotte County ...

Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KansasDepartment Overview:2012 Amended and 2013 Operating BudgetDepartment OverviewDepartment of Economic Development and Property ManagementIn 2010, the functional operations of the departments of Economic Development and PropertyManagement and Marketing merged to provide greater integration of staff resources to maximize themany opportunities and manage the challenges in these areas. The distinct functions of each divisionremain in place; however, staff within the department work to address issues in both areas.Additionally, the Department has continued to grow the relationship with Wyandotte EconomicDevelopment Council (WYEDC), working with this agency on a daily basis to accomplish the commongoal of attracting and retaining business, industry, and residential housing in the community. This closerelationship has fostered a successful approach to the continuation of growing our community’s taxbase and employment.Important Issues: Retaining, expanding, and reinvesting in the existing industrial base, especially within theFairfax area, is critical to the future success of our community’s growth. Midtown Redevelopment, a RFP was issued, highlighting the need for commercial and retailgrowth in that location. Staff is currently evaluating those responses. New grocery stores are needed in the older urban areas, highlighted by the issuance of aDowntown Grocery Store RFP.Highlights: Cerner started construction of their 650,000 square foot office park to house 4,000 employees. The Hollywood Casino opened and employs over 1,000 employees. 39 th and Rainbow, which grew in scale from a $39-million to a $53-million TIF redevelopmentdistrict, completed a revised agreement and started demolition on the second phase. In the firstphase, hotel and retail openings are scheduled for summer 2012. The Legends Auto Mall, a $14-million auto mall development near I-435 and N 98th St, wasapproved, and a new Honda dealership is under construction, with an additional dealershipbeing contemplated. A new Save-A-Lot grocery store at 21 st & Metropolitan was approved – this project incorporatesTIF, CID, and RLF incentives. A $28-million project with RED Development to redevelop Wyandotte Plaza, anchored by a new70,000 square foot Price Chopper, has been approved and should start demolition in 2012.New Initiatives: The Department was able to hire a new Manager, and has two full time Management Analystpositions filled. The Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) Policy was revamped, to allow forbetter recognition of projects that incorporate both Prevailing Wage and L/M/W participationrates. Working closely with WYEDC and BPU on a new initiative for an Intelligent Conduit System(ICS) enabling multiple fiber carriers to service pilot zones, as well as bolster Regional systems. Fairfax – bookend developments, with heavy UG involvement include the RACER Trust site(former GM Fairfax site) and the redevelopment of the Public Levee, are being evaluated forpotential new development opportunities.155