KANSAS CITY, Kan – A plan to build a new soccer stadium for the Kansas City Wizards is sprinting forward in Wyandotte County.
On Wednesday night, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a memorandum of understanding with the developer.
The huge project had been planned for South Kansas City, but it now appears the Major League Soccer team could open a new stadium in 2011 on the Kansas side of the state line.
Behind the scenes, team officials have drawn up a $414 million project for an 18,500-seat stadium, youth soccer fields and an office complex for Cerner Corp. The large metro employer involved with healthcare technology is expected to add 4,000 new jobs.
“This would be the largest job creation project in the history of the county,” said Mayor Joe Reardon. “I think it’s critically important to move forward. It’s a great investment in the future of my community as well as the region.”
A similar plan had already been planned for the site of the old Bannister Mall in Kansas City. However, when the economy slumped, the project stalled. The Village West location near the Kansas Speedway quickly changed the game plan.
“Today is a really positive step, but again, we’ve been at this for several years now. Until the stadium has gone up, it’s not a done deal,” said Wizards president Robb Heineman.
Half of the cost will be publicly subsidized by STAR Bonds—the funding mechanism originally used to build the thriving Village West shopping district. County leaders say the success of that project means the bonds will be paid off seven years ahead of schedule. The stadium project plan would extend the STAR bond issuance to their original pay-off date.
Chuck Schlitter, executive director of the Fairfax Industrial Association, applauded county leaders for potentially scoring the huge development. However, he is concerned that continuing to divert sales tax revenue could put financial pressure on existing businesses.
“For years, the mantra has been when the STAR bonds are paid off, it will alleviate some of the pressure on property taxes and utility fees,” Schlittler said.
Reardon said the public will get a chance to ask questions about the development agreement. First, county leaders are awaiting state approval for the use of STAR bonds.
Heineman said something will eventually be built at the old Bannister site, saying the developer has already invested $30 million into the land.
