You could wind up paying an additional 1% sales tax of you shop in any of the stores at 10 Quivira Plaza. That's the shopping center at Quivira and Shawnee Mission Parkway, the one that has Price Chopper in it.
There will be a public hearing at the city council on Monday, 4/26/10, at 7:30PM concerning this matter.
Here is what it is all about. The ownership of the shopping center has petitioned the city to create a community improvement district. See the info at
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Meetings/AGENDAS.NSF/vwNews/783676E3827F1A54862576DD00003D4F/$FILE/838VRT.pdf pages 57-81, specifically page 71.
Basically there are two things that happen:
1. The owners pay an additional assessment with their property taxes. This additional assessment is used to defray some of the costs of rehabbing the shopping center. Hey, it's the owner's money. Do it.
2. The stores in the shopping center charge the public an extra 1% sales tax. This money also goes to the ownership to help defray some of the costs of the rehab. Whoa..........
The city has recently hit the residents with a 5% utility (gas & electric) franchise fee. Ouch. Have the utilities started petitioning for rate increases? Another ouch. The major retailer in this shopping center is a grocery store. Hey, we don't need groceries to live. More ouch. The shopping center is frequented by many folks of what may be referred to as modest income. Keep on ouching.
Whatever happened to the concept of businesses using their funds or loans to build their businesses? If the sales tax is approved, and if the shopping center is improved, and if the ownership sells it down the road, would they cut the citizens of Shawnee in for a percentage of the sale profits?
It is very important for folks to attend this public hearing and voice their opinion. Even if you don't shop in that area, this is an item that could happen anywhere in the city.
So, if you are for or against a community improvement district, show up and be heard. Remember, public hearing, Monday April 26, 2010, city council chambers at 7:30PM.
Curious, as to how much "play" the local media (Dispatch) has given to this, other than publishing the requisite public notice?
