ShawneeDispatch.com

Beginning in July 2012, shoppers at 10 Quivira Plaza will pay an additional half-cent sales tax on items purchased there. In turn, the shopping center is supposed to blossom.

The Shawnee City Council on Monday created a community improvement district — a financing tool that allows property owners to increase sales tax to fund redevelopment — for the large center at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Quivira Road.

While 10 Quivira isn’t officially considered blighted, it’s dated in appearance and currently has 10 vacancies. The bump in sales tax is expected to raise $1.4 million that — coupled with $2.8 million from owner Tri-Land Properties Inc. — will bankroll redevelopment owners say is needed to stop the property’s downhill slide, attract new tenants, add value to the property and ultimately increase the city’s tax base.

Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in April 2012.

The Council made its decision after a public hearing where the majority of residents who spoke opposed the improvement district. Several vowed to boycott the center, rousing bouts of applause from fellow opponents.

Most said increasing sales tax, particularly on necessities purchased at the center’s grocery and hardware stores, placed an unfair burden on residents.

Nicole Armstrong said owners should pay for redevelopment themselves.

“I think it’s inappropriate to tax people and then give that money to private corporations so they can spruce up their shops,” she said.

Most of the center’s remaining tenants support the plan. Residents who spoke in favor of it Monday said redevelopment was important to prevent the property — and neighborhood — from slipping.

Aaron Mesmer said the center may be privately owned but that it’s a community asset. He said redeveloping would help drive traffic to the older half of Shawnee. Without it, he surmised even the grocery store would eventually move out.

“We need to get out ahead of this before it becomes a big problem,” he said.

Five Council members voted in favor of the district: Jim Neighbor, David Morris, Dawn Kuhn, Jeff Vaught and Mickey Sandifer. Dan Pflumm, Neal Sawyer and Michelle Distler voted against it.

Those who voted ‘yes’ agreed that improving the health of the shopping center would improve vitality and grow the city’s commercial tax base.

Tri-Land officials have said 10 Quivira sales tax revenues could increase by $13 million for Shawnee, $12.8 million for Johnson County and $56 million for the state over the life of the district, which state law allows up to 22 years.

Shawnee finance director Bryan Kidney said the city’s estimates were more conservative but that they still indicated improvements would be paid off “well before 22 years.”

Comments

1. 

   Melanie_S (anonymous) says…

   I for one will not use 10 Quivira once this tax goes into effect. The landlord should not own the property if he cannot keep it up. I have also made note of who voted for this and who did not.

   August 10, 2011 at 1:22 p.m.

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2. 

   kdzim66216 (anonymous) says…

   Why would I pay an additional half-cent in sales tax for the privilege of shopping at 10 Quivira? I do shop there, but I can just as easily go to Target or Wal-Mart or Nuts and Bolts for everything I would get there. And that's what I will do. I don't plan to pay for the owner's upgrades with a higher tax.

   August 10, 2011 at 4:22 p.m.

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