KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Despite some pushback, the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council on Thursday approved a special sales tax to improve a shopping center in the Waldo neighborhood.
The Community Improvement District will impose an additional 1% sales tax on all retail sales at the Romanelli Shopping Center at West Gregory Boulevard and Wornall Road. It’s expected to generate about $2.5 million in five years.
G. Palen Investments, which owns the property, said some of the buildings in the shopping center are aging and require additional upkeep. Tenants have complained of flooded basements and leaky roofs.
The proposal was met with resistance from some business leaders, who said Community Improvement Districts should not be used for single properties.
The shopping center was already covered by an existing CID that is responsible for daily trash pickup and marketing.
The council approved the CID on a 7-5 vote.
