@BlogKCThe 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.
I guess this is a good thing for Indy and the metro? I don’t fancy the idea of a CID creation for a prime locale such as I-70/LBP, though maybe its considered a flood plain?
It is no longer flood plain. Other development’s surface water plans and restructuring of the Little Blue have prompted the Corp of Engineers to reclassify.
I’m not sure I understand your comment about the CID. CID is just a self-taxing district agreed upon by property owners. Unlike TIF there are no “blighted area” or other requirements
bring it on! who needs the sprint center! eastern jackson county needs and wants this!