For years the American Royal has called West Bottoms home. Soon, that could change.
Previous story: Hockey part of plan to lure American Royal to Kansas
From Missouri to Kansas
A new hotel, children’s museum and 5,000-seat hockey arena could be a part of a project designed to lure American Royal over state lines, according to a report prepared by the Kansas Department of Commerce and obtained by The Associated Press.
The proposed development would be located in western Wyandotte County.
“The Unified Government of Wyandotte County was approached by the State and American Royals officials about the possibility of moving the Royal to Wyandotte County. We have had some discussions, but that’s all. No set plan, project or commitments. It’s still in its conceptual stage,” said Mike Taylor, a spokesman for Wyandotte County.
And the project might stay in the conceptual stage.
STAR bonds
Throughout the years taxpayers have poured millions of dollars into financing packages for development projects.
Overland Park’s Prairiefire, Topeka’s auto racetrack and Wyandotte County’s Village West were all financed using a special economic development program, called STAR bonds, to pay for the proposals. STAR bonds allow municipalities to issue bonds to finance commercial, entertainment and tourism areas and use sales tax revenue generated from the development to pay off the bonds.
According to several lawmakers 41 Action News spoke with, it was one way Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration was luring the American Royal to jump state lines.
“The STAR bond legislation has been a great economic development tool for Wyandotte County. In Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County, we are never opposed to seeing new projects come in, and that area would be a great fit for the American Royal,” said Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City.
STAR bonds opposition
As lawmakers face a growing budget deficit, many have become concerned that once bond projects, like Village West, are paid off, the sales tax revenue would be shifted to a new project rather than into the state’s general fund.
This year, state lawmakers are once again trying to plug a growing budget deficit.
“If we are on a sales tax policy, we will need those sales revenues to fund bills,” said Jim Denning, R-Overland Park.
State senators approved a budget bill Thursday, which included an amendment preventing the State Department of Commerce from approving any new STAR bond projects for the next two fiscal years.
Denning introduced the amendment. He told 41 Action News he wrote the amendment after he realized the sales tax revenue did not include $42 million from the STAR bonds for the Village West project. The bonds from this project are scheduled to be paid off early on Dec. 31, 2016.
“The intent was to take the money that was supposed to go to sales tax revenue for the American Royal. You can’t have your cake and eat it too,” Denning said.
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