The past nine months have been an interesting time for both Kansas City, Kan., and the Kansas City Wizards.

Today, Wizards President Robb Heineman discussed stadium developments, the team's future in KCK and the club's efforts to get out in the community.

Shortly after the State of Kansas and the Unified Government officially approved a deal to build the Wizards new stadium at Village West, work began on the construction of the stadium.

But the process began in about three years ago when it was announced the team would be playing home games in KCK.

"When we first moved to Community America Ballpark, we were pleasantly surprised with the reaction in Wyandotte County," Heineman said.

In April 2009, with their plan in Kansas City, Mo., stalled, the Wizards were approached by local leadership in Wyandotte County about the possibility of the Wizards permanently staying in KCK.

"It was a new light at the end of the tunnel," Heineman said. "We were fired up and it was a transformational time for our organization. It's been great working with Mayor Reardon and staff from the Unified Government."

Regarding the new stadium, the general plan is in place.

But for "several hours each day," the stadium is discussed between those in the Wizards organization. Among the hottest topics during a meeting today was the size of the planned video boards inside the stadium.

The Wizards' move to Wyandotte County corresponds with a growing popularity of soccer in surrounding high schools.

"There's definitely an evolution with soccer that's occurred over the years," Heineman said. "It's the same sport for both boys and girls...with the same rules. Soccer is easy to play as long as you have a field."

Along with the Wizards practice facility and tournament field complex, three urban area soccer fields will be built around Wyandotte County. A transportation system is in the works to transport kids to the fields if needed.

"Our partnership with Wyandotte County allows us to have these plans," Heineman said. "The support we have received from Wyandotte County has been unbelievable."

With any transformational experience, one party is bound to be left out.

"We know this decision disappointed some of our fans on the Missouri side," Heineman said. "But we think this new stadium will be unbelievable and it will attract fans from all around Kansas City."

Construction on the stadium is an hour-by-hour process.

"It's my goal to get the stadium done as soon as possible," Heineman said.

That goal, time wise, is by the summer of 2011. The stadium will host the Wizards, high school games and other entertainment events.

A number by number look at some of the key economic and statistical figures concerning the Cerner office complex and new Kansas City Wizards stadium and practice facility:

• $414 million: The total amount of investment when combining private and public investment sources.

• 600,000 square feet: The size of the Cerner Corporation's office complex.

• $54,000: The average salary of a job position created by the construction of the office complex.

• 4,000: The amount of eventual jobs created by Cerner.

• 3,000: The amount of construction jobs created during the construction phase of the overall project.

• 3,960: The number of new jobs created annually in connection to the operation and maintenance of the stadium and soccer fields.

• $10 million: The direct economic impact for Wyandotte County in the first six years of operation.

• $18 million: The Unified Government will receive that number as the payment for the required land for both projects.

• $147 million: The amount of STAR Bond proceeds that will be used via sales tax revenues at Village West. The STAR Bonds will be used primarily for the Wizards stadium.

• $ 0: The amount of property tax dollars used to fund the project.

• $ 85 million: The amount of tax credits issued by the State of Kansas. They will be used on the Cerner portion.

• $30.4 million: The penalty Cerner will be required to pay if the job creation doesn't match the expected timeline agreed to.

The deal between the State of Kansas, Unified Government and Kansas City Wizards is reverberating across the political, local and sports world.

Here are a collection of statements from various parties.

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson:

“I applaud the work of Mayor Reardon, the Wyandotte County Commissioners, Secretary Thornton and the entire team at the Department of Commerce for bringing thousands of jobs to Kansas and helping our state get back on track. The proposal we offered was responsible and did not overreach; as a result, we were successful.”

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber:

“We applaud OnGoal and the State of Kansas for creating an innovative partnership to bring a world-class soccer stadium to Kansas City. Lamar Hunt’s vision to build true homes for the soccer community began more than 10 years ago and we will now have a minimum of 12 clubs playing in stadiums built for built for MLS teams by 2011. This new stadium will provide the appropriate environment for our fans to enjoy the beautiful game and give young players the opportunity to dream about playing on that field for the Wizards someday.”

Unified Government/Wyandotte County Administrator Dennis Hays:

“It will not only bring jobs, but new housing and families to our community,” explained Wyandotte County Administrator Dennis Hays. “This will truly make Wyandotte County a growing and vital county in the Kansas City metro and a true destination for the entire Midwest.”
 

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners unanimously approved of multiple motions tonight that will officially allow for construction on the new Kansas City Wizards' stadium and new Cerner facility to begin.

In a process that began in September, Kansas City, Kan., will now be home to a Major League Soccer team permanently and an office complex expected to bring thousands of jobs.

For Cerner, a 600,000 square feet office complex will be built, which will generate about 4,000 jobs in job creation within four years. For the Wizards, a brand new soccer-only 18,000-seat stadium.

For Wyandotte County, the biggest benefit will be jobs.

"The (Cerner office) is part of the journey of Wyandotte County," said Joe Reardon, Unified Government Mayor/CEO. "When you look at the economy in Wyandotte County, so much of it is still tied to industry. These will be job opportunities for the near term and the long-term."

Along with the jobs created by Cerner, over 1,000 construction jobs will be created during the project's construction.

Financially, the plan will be boosted by $147 million in STAR bond proceeds generated by sales tax revenues. No property tax dollars will be used to finance it.

A $30 million investment from private donors and investors will finance a 18-field facility at Wyandotte County Park. The fields are expected to draw over 2 million to Wyandotte County.

Three recreational soccer fields will also be built across Wyandotte County. They will be spread out over the county's geography.

"The development of these fields will allow us to bring development in the sport of soccer in Kansas City," said Robb Heineman, OnGoal CEO. (OnGoal owns the Wizards.) "I think the two million number is too low. There's no reason to think this won't be a first class complex."

Heineman believes league tournaments not just from Kansas City – but across the United States and throughout Europe – will select KCK as a host city.

Cliff Illig, vice chairman and co-founder of Cerner, said Cerner's expansion across the state-line is exciting.

"We see Kansas City as a community without a state line," he said. "We've grown our business and we're just excited to serve as part of this joint vision."

The soccer stadium, located across the street from Nebraska Furniture Mart, will be completed by the opening of the 2012 season. The recreation fields will be available for use in 2011.
 

The final step necessary for the start of construction of the new Cerner/Kansas City Wizards project could be complete tomorrow.

After a deal was finalized with the State of Kansas, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County will hold a special commission meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. in City Hall.

Should the UG formally approve the deal tomorrow, construction will begin immediately.

The project is located at Village West.

The $414 million Kansas City Wizards-Cerner Office Campus project could create over 8,000 jobs, which would be largest job creation project in the history of Wyandotte County.

Once completed in 2011, the entire project will triple the number of jobs in Village West from 4,473 to 12,791. The total payroll of the Village West jobs would skyrocket to $334 million from an original $81 million figure.

As Kansas City Wizards president Robb Heineman promised late last week, there is indeed activity out at Village West in relation to the team's new stadium, located across Nebraska Furniture Mart.

About six heavy machinery can be spotted at the site.

Our friends at Hillcrest Road Blog – the official blog of the Wizards – have posted a photo gallery of the site.

The Unified Government will hold a public hearing regarding the new Kansas City Wizards-Cerner project for Village West early next year.

The UG's Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to set aside Jan. 7, 2010 as a public hearing date for the area. Residents will be able to give their input on the project.

The public hearing is a required step for the project to move forward with completion.

In a video blog, Kansas City Wizards President Robb Heineman said he's encouraged about the process for the new Kansas City, Kan., stadim.

While he said the official paperwork and deal between the business partners and the State of Kansas is not complete, Heineman said the team is hoping that activity around the location will begin next week.

In the video blog, he added that selling the STAR bonds will be the biggest hurdle left. The Wizards are looking to opening the stadium in mid-season of 2011.

Here is his full video blog:

The Kansas Department of Commerce has presented the Unified Government with a proposal they hope satisfies the needs to bring a Cerner office and new Kansas City Wizards Stadium to Kansas City, Kan., and Village West.

KDC Secretary David Kerry made the announcement today, calling it "aggressive, yet responsible."

The details: Cerner would receive nearly $85 million in state tax credits and cash incentives and the state would authorize the UG to use up to $144.5 million from state sales revenues to pay for the bonds used to build the new stadium.

The UG would be required to use existing and future local sales tax revenue for the stadium.

“Like many Kansans, I’m excited by the economic potential of Cerner’s proposed office complex and the related proposal for a new soccer stadium in the Village West District,” Secretary Kerr said. “Of course, I am also obligated to be a responsible steward of tax dollars, especially in these challenging economic times. The financial proposal we’re presenting is aggressive, yet responsible.”

UPDATE: Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson has issued a statement on the subject:
 

“In this time of economic recession, we need to take advantage of every opportunity to bring jobs and revenue to Kansas. I appreciate Secretary Kerr’s work in negotiating this opportunity and ensuring that if we are successful, we stand to make a return on our investment to the benefit of Kansas taxpayers across the state.”

UPDATE: UG Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon commented on the move:

“The first major piece in making this development a reality was to receive authorization for the use of STAR Bonds,” said Mayor Joe Reardon. “That has been accomplished. The remaining details of the project will be worked out in the weeks to come. We will continue to work hard to deliver this unprecedented jobs creation project to Wyandotte County and the State of Kansas. Creating new jobs going forward will be the key to sustained financial recovery.”

Nearly a month after the Kansas City Wizards formally announced a new stadium location in Kansas City, Kan., support appears to be strong and optimism about the project and its economic impact are high.

After initially hoping to build a new stadium in the old Bannister Mall site of Kansas City, Mo., the Wizards look to set up shop in Village West.

Tim Weaver, a lead developer with the Lane4 Group who's partnering with the Wizards on the project, said the complete project (stadium, practice fields and Cerner building) will be unique among others within Major League Soccer.

"This stadium will be on the cutting edge," Weaver said. "It takes some elements from South American and European Stadiums. The crowd will be right on top of the field and action."

A few details on the stadium – the stadium will seat 18,000 fans and will serve as a multi-purpose facility. Weaver said high school games, concerts, soccer events and other sports will be able to host events inside.

"This can and will host a variety of events," he said. "It fills a real gap in this area."

The completion of just the stadium will bring around 2,400 direct or indirect jobs to the KCK area. Combined with the Cerner facility, over 8,000 jobs will be created.

"It's a huge influx of economic development," Weaver said. "It's going to be a boost not just for Wyandotte County, but for the State of Kansas. The site will generate over one-and-a-half billion dollars in economic impact each year."

Still, perhaps the biggest reward in the stadium could come years down the road – in the form of a World Cup in either 2018 or 2022. Kansas City has been floated around as a strong candidate for a World Cup site if it indeed comes to the United States.

While the World Cup would be played in the 80,000-seat capacity of Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., KCK could play a key role in landing a World Cup round in Kansas City.

"Things like this will make a big difference," Weaver said. "These plans are incorporated in Kansas City's bid."

Exhibition "friendly" games between nations could be played in KCK.

In terms of how the entire site would be paid for, $173 million in STAR Bond revenues would be used. A majority of the funding – $220.9 million of it – would become from private funding sources.

Over $20.5 million in State IMPACT credits are requested for the Cerner office campus. 

Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala of Wyandotte County endorsed the new Village West development that would include the Kansas City Wizards' new stadium and a Cerner developmental property.

Her entire statement of support below:

"As the State Senator whose district includes all of Village West, I understand the economic value of more than 9,000 new jobs that the Cerner/Wizards project would bring to Kansas City, Kansas. We have seen tremendous growth in the area, but the entire vision of Village West has not yet been fulfilled.

"In 1998, when the initial map of Village West was made public, it showed more than 600,000 square feet of proposed office space. That office space is important to the future of Village West and it is my hope that the State of Kansas will act now to allow the Cerner/Wizards project to move forward.

"There is a real sense of urgency because at midnight on Friday, October 9, the agreed upon 30-day exclusivity clause between the Unified Government and the project developers will expire. Authorization by Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Kerr for the use of STAR bonds for this project must be given immediately.

"Through the persistent hard work of Secretary Kerr and his expert staff, the opportunity to make this $414 million, once-in-a-lifetime project a reality is now at hand. After nearly a month of discussions between Secretary Kerr, the project developers, and the Unified Government, a revised financial plan with even more private and less public investment is on the table and ready for approval.

"The revised plan includes the following: The original STAR bond request of $173 million has been reduced to $155 million; the total number of jobs created by this project has been increased from 8,000 new jobs to 9,000, including 500 additional jobs at the Cerner office complex, establishing Kansas as a leading state in the health care technology industry; and the average annual salary of these jobs has been increased from $54,000 to $65,000.

"In addition, under the Cerner/Wizards revised plan there is the real possibility for the STAR bonds to be paid off by 2017. Despite the weak condition of the national economy, their proposal is built on a solid financial footing due to the long-standing success of the Village West entertainment district.

"The original proposal submitted one month ago represents a spectacular economic development opportunity for the State of Kansas. It will provide amazing job growth by the nation’s leading health care technology company; establish the only major league professional sports franchise in Kansas; create an unparalleled attraction for sports tourism through construction of a world-class tournament style soccer complex; and give unprecedented career job opportunities for students.

"Because of Secretary Kerr’s willingness to stay at the table, the Cerner/Wizards revised plan will benefit all parties involved. It is financially balanced with a major private investment from the development team and a reasonable amount of public investment by the State of Kansas and Unified Government.

"Our state has lost almost 40,000 jobs in the past year. This project would replace over 20% of those jobs. This project will benefit the taxpayers of Kansas and Wyandotte County through incredible job creation, the addition of a major league sports attraction, and a return on investment through tax revenues and economic impact, which will far surpass the public investment needed to make it a reality.

"The time to act is now and with the revised proposal submitted to Secretary Kerr, the State of Kansas has the ability to fulfill the entire vision of Village West and grow our economy like never before."

A reminder – the VIllage West Rotary Club's third annual Parade of Heroes will be held tonight.

The parade will begin at Frances Family Drive, located between Cabela's and Nebraska Furniture Mart. Proceeds raised from the event will go to the Disabled American Veterans.

The parade begins at 7 p.m. Pictured is the Turner Marching Band performing at last year's parade.

Previously – Grand Marshals for Parade of Heroes Announced.

Police were called to the Village West Target Friday afternoon after two young males stole "several video games."

Security at the shopping center has apprehended one of the suspects.
 

View Larger Map

Chateau Avalon Hotel will host the 2009 Village West Winefest this Saturday.

With over 200 wines and 50 beers from around the world, the WineFest raises funding for KC Cause, a local charity in the Kansas City area.

“Our first year was such a success with plans for the second year to be even bigger,” said Bryan Albers, KC Cause representative. “We encourage fellow wine lovers to be a part of this fun event that supports Kansas City organizations.” 

Tickets for the event can still be purchased for $50 and $100 VIP. It begins at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and concludes at 8 p.m.