Kansas City Mayor Sly James’ office says the city has struck a deal with the Raytown School District over a controversial development plan that affects the school system, even though it’s not school related.
In the deal, the city, county and the school district will share the $3.5 million in improvements to the Swope park area.
That includes a top-of-the-line soccer complex being supported in part by the professional soccer team, Sporting Kansas City.
After the project is finished, Mayor James is promising to support dissolving the Winchester Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
The end of the TIF district would send about $3.8 million back to the school district and $4.5 million back to the city, according to a news release.
“We are pleased to have come to a consensus that protects not only Raytown School District patrons’ tax dollars, but also those of other taxing entities with the ending of this TIF,” Dr. Allan Markley, Superintendent of Schools, said.
“I am proud we were able to work together to find a solution that both gives the Raytown School District most of what they asked for, and allows Kansas City and Jackson County to construct a world-class soccer facility in partnership with Sporting KC,” James said.
Reblogged this on KC Education Enterprise.