The Unified Government's Board of Commissioners approved a redevelopment plan and agreement for the TIF project on 39th and Rainbow.

The UG is partnering with Rainbow Real Estate Partners, LLC on a four-part project in the area. Two parts of it were approved last night.

Once completed, an 89-room hotel will be built, with a 68-room apartment building and over 30,000 of square feet of commercial retail will be available. About two-thirds of the retail must generate retail sales tax, according to the agreement.

The total project will cost $35 million, with the developer receiving $5.9 million in TIF incentives. A self-imposed sales tax and new market tax credits will also fund the project.

Although the project's completion isn't schedule until Dec. 31, 2011, a lot of the work is done.

"About 65 to 70 percent of the tenants are pretty much filled up," said Chase Simmons, an attorney representing the developer. "We have to work out some details with others."

Simmons promises a "national franchise" hotel. The project is also looking for an apartment manager.

While it's full speed ahead on the development front, there's one business that feels left behind.

Representatives from Jaywalkers Sports Bar, a restaurant bar and grill, spoke about the development. Jaywalkers and a small hotel are scheduled for demolition to make room for the development.

Shawn Nelson, a manager partner at Jaywalkers, said the business feels like it has "no protection" on the matter.

"We have six years left on our lease," Nelson said. "We have not been involved in these discussions. We would like one or two pages in the agreement that will protect our losses."

Other representatives of the bar and grill say a buyout of $70,000 has been offered to them. Meanwhile, Jaywalkers said they have invested over $180,000 into the business.

"For three years we paid our taxes and we tried to do a great job for the community," said Phil Nigro, another partner in the business. "These guys should step up to the plate. We got an offer that's less than half of what we invested. It's 'take your losses and get out.'"

Deputy County Administrator Doug Bach said the UG was aware of the situation.

"We made sure good communication was happening," Bach said. "There's nothing to indicate that communication wasn't happening."

Simmons said the development group would work around the business if necessary.

"We can design around it," he said. "That's not the best thing. We've asked for a counter offer and they have been involved in the process."

The project has been planned since last summer. A public hearing that spanned over two separate meetings was held earlier this year.

As many are doing in Wyandotte County, the Rosedale Ministerial Alliance will offer a helping hand to the relief efforts in Haiti.

A special benefit pancake breakfast will be held this Saturday from 8 - 11 a.m. at the Rosedale Congregational Church, located at 4326 Lloyd St., in Kansas City, Kan. Money raised at the event will be donated to a local Heart to Heart International agency and will be used solely for recovery efforts in Haiti.

A presentation by Heart to Heart International and reflections from Rosedale ministers and Haiti natives from Kansas City will be made. 

Local Healthy Kids Club members from Frank Rushton Elementary School have been preparing for this event and will be bringing their families to help the children of Haiti.

For more information, contact rosedaleresponds@gmail.com or contact (913) 236-6337 on Jan. 27 and Jan. 30. If you have questions on Jan. 28 or Jan. 29, contact (913) 677-5097.

In a continuation of a public hearing for a TIF development that stretches from 39th and Rainbow to 40th and Adams in Rosedale, more information was released about the project.

But concerns from business owners already in the area remain, which were voiced at Thursday night's Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire project is $35 million and includes an 89-room hotel, over 60 "Class A" departments and 30,000 of mixed retail and businesses.

Chase Simmons of Polsinelli Law Firm spoke out in representation of Rainbow Redevelopment Partners, the group responsible for the development of the TIF project.

"It's very consistent with the Rosedale Master Plan," he said. "You see buildings and structures very much like these in Rosedale."

In order to establish a TIF district, nine criteria must be met in the area. Two independent studies established that nine criteria exist, Simmons said.

While the majority of Thursday night's attendants strongly support the TIF project, a few tenants within the district have questions about it.

Shawn Nelson of Jaywalkers Sports Bar & Grill – which is located inside the TIF boundaries – said the lack of action has left his business and the bar's 15 employees in limbo.

"We are still a business," he said. "A valuable business. We're still trying to do good things in the community."

Since opening about three years ago, Jaywalkers has generated $130,000 in sales tax. Nelson said 15 employees at the business are unsure if they'll have jobs soon.

"We don't feel like we're part of the process," he said.

Carl Scruggs, who's also a tenant in the area, voiced similar concerns.

"I was not aware of the project," he said. "I'm not quite sure what the next step is for my business."

Interestingly, both said the TIF project would be good for the Rosedale area.

Simmons said the development's partners will work with the area owners. But....

"We can't make everyone feel great right now and say we can buy them out."

As for the project, it's scheduled completion date would be Fall 2011 if everything is approved. Other representatives for the project said Mariott is close to an agreement on becoming the hotel brand associated with the TIF project.

At Thursday's meeting, nothing was approved as it was just a public hearing.

PHOTO: Shawn Nelson of Jaywalkers addresses the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners at Thursday night's meeting. The UG held a public hearing about a TIF development project on 39th and Rainbow.

A water main break will close Rosedale Elementary School for today.

School will likely be back in session next Monday.

First-year students at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City Young Democrats and members from the Rosedale Neighborhood Association will gather this Saturday to paint porches and to assist grounds keeping in an elderly neighborhood of KCK.

Volunteers for the event can contact Chris Cardinal or simply meet in the west lot of the Dykes Library located at KU Medical Center at 8:45 a.m. this Saturday.

Similar events are being held in Lawrence, Manhatten, Hutchinson and Pittsburg.

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