KANSAS CITY, Kan. — After a long Thursday night meeting, the Wyandotte County Commission said "yes" to a resolution that allows the city to use $2 million to buy land at 10th & Minnesota to begin the Healthy Campus initiative.
It's a $37 million dollar project that would bring an all-new community center run by the YMCA, plus a grocery store, to the area. There would be room for retail, too.
The project is $1.3 million dollars over budget, which drew some concern from commissioners.
They want to act now to be eligible for tax credits.
Many residents spoke in favor of the project, repeatedly saying there are not enough quality food choices in downtown KCK.
The city doesn't have a signed contract with the grocer yet, which drew some criticism from some commissioners. However, the city said talks with the unnamed grocer are far along.
"I believe it will help create a base so we can talk about economic development in other parts of the city because then we'd have some example to look back on," Anthony Arnold said.
Resident Broderick Crawford said until something better comes forth, "We should look at all opportunities we have to make the current plan on the table successful."
Crawford said many senior citizens live in downtown KCK, and often have to resort to a dollar store to find milk and bread.
Another woman agreed there needs to be a new grocery store but was skeptical about the YMCA.
"We already have a YMCA, I have a membership there, but what's more important for healthy community - it's a grocery store first," the woman said at the podium.
There is also a concern that this development would create gentrification.
The commission needs to secure the contract with the grocer, and further discuss how the project will work with the budget.
