Two upcoming ballot issues, a proposed major development projected to bring over 1,500 jobs to south Kansas City and a comprehensive update of the outdated Hickman Mills Area Plan will be discussed at the SKCA meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, February 10, in the front building of the South Patrol Police Campus, 9701 Marion Park Dr.
Kansas City Fire Chief Donna Maize will discuss the proposed increase in KCMO’s fire sales tax that will be on the April 7 ballot and explain the Fire Department’s need for additional funding.
This proposal would increase the current ¼ cent fire sales tax to ½ cent to be used for Fire Department operations such as emergency medical service and fire prevention and suppression, including equipment purchases and capital improvements.
If approved, it would become effective January 1, 2021, and terminate on December 31, 2036, when the current tax expires unless it is extended by KCMO voters before then.
A no tax increase bond issue that the Hickman Mills School Board is exploring putting on theAugust 4 ballot to improve the District’s aging school buildings will be explained byJustin Durham of Hollis + Miller Architects. The District is seeking community input on what capital improvements should be given the highest priority for bond funding.
Plans for the redevelopment of almost all of the former Bannister Federal Complex as anindustrial park containing light manufacturing plants, warehouses and distribution facilities will be discussed by Brent Miles, chief marketing officer and founding partner of NorthPoint Development that has a contract pending to redevelop the site.
Miles has said he hopes construction of the first big industrial building at the site will start in April. He also has pledged that his firm will build an on-site education and training center to prepare high school students and other area residents for jobs at the industrial park which will be named the Blue River Commerce Center.
A comprehensive proposed update of the Hickman Mills Area Plan that will serve as a guide for future development, zoning decisions and investments in public infrastructure such as parks, sidewalks, streets, trails and water & sewer lines will be explained byBrian Jackson, a planner for the City Planning & Development Department.
The plan covers the area between 87th St. & the Grandview city limits and between U.S. 71 Highway/I-49 & Raytown Rd. The current plan adopted in April 2007 has gone the longest of all of the city’s 18 area plans without being revised.
A steering committee of area stakeholders has assisted city staff in developing the proposed revision which is scheduled to be considered by the City Plan Commission on February 18 and will later be presented to the City Council for final approval.
Complimentary light refreshments will be provided featuring spinach and artichoke dip from Blue Moose Bar & Grill at Red Bridge Shopping Center.
Upcoming events
The SKCA meets each month on the second Monday at 6:00 pm at the South Patrol Police Station unless otherwise noted in email notices.
Next SKCA General Meeting:
SKCA General Meeting on Monday, March 9 at 6:00 pm at South Patrol Station.
If you have events for our community calendar, please share for display on our SKCA website calendar and social media channels.
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