KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Council has unanimously approved $7 million for a new phase of improvements in the 18th & Vine Jazz District.
The Kansas City Star (https://bit.ly/29JFcGG ) reports that the council approved the funds Thursday. It is a significant reduction from an earlier proposal to spend as much as $27.6 million over the next three years to revitalize the area.
The approved funds will allow the city to acquire all the remaining property that had not been under city control except for the Lincoln Building, the Mutual Musicians Foundation and the Kansas City Call newspaper property.
Plans call for the city to hire a property management company to maximize the district’s commercial potential. The area would also have more oversight from an appointed citizens committee.
District Councilman Jermaine Reed said “18th & Vine is a premier destination location that helps put Kansas City, Missouri, on the map internationally,”
Last week, Reed recommended spending $11 million or $12 million in the first phase of improvements and a total of $27.6 million through two additional bond issuances. Some on the council questioned whether that money would complete the revitalization job, and wondered why the city was not looking for more private investment first.
Earlier this week, most of the council members said they could support spending $7 million.
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Information from: The Kansas City Star, https://www.kcstar.com
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