May

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Independence to get the suburban arena?

May 29, 2007 | 3 Comments

The idea of a suburban arena for minor league hockey or basketball has been a hot topic in the last couple of years. Kansas suburbs like Olathe and Overland Park have tried various proposals, but couldn’t quite seal the deal. Now the Missouri suburbs are getting in on the action. Next week Cass County voters will decide on a proposed arena in Belton, but it looks like Independence might have nabbed the arena at the last minute.

Today the Independence Examiner and the Business Journal both report that the city has reached an agreement with Global Entertainment to bring an arena (and likely a hockey team) to the northeast corner of I-70 and Little Blue Parkway. On Monday the Independence City Council will consider the creation of community improvement district with a 1/2 cent sales tax in the I-70/291 retail area to pay for the $58 million arena. The project would also include a second ice facility open to the community, the first such venue in the metro’s most populous county.

Categories: Sports, Suburbs


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