Many attend State Avenue Annual Meeting
Nearly 100 persons, including land owners, business managers and public officials attended the Annual Meeting of the State Avenue Corridor Planning and Marketing Committee Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Wyandotte Plaza Shopping Center. The meeting was held in the former Payless Shoe Source Building. That location will become a branch of the Community America Credit Union soon. The center, first opened in 1962, has recently undergone extensive renovations. A new Krispy Kreme will open soon in the location where the Evergreen restaurant was. The former Price Chopper will house a Marshall’s department store and a PetsMart; they will open this spring. County Engineer Bill Heatherman said more that $15 million has been spent in improving roadways in the corridor. Mayor Mark Holland said that when a community invests in infrastructure, it transforms the whole community. Dave Claflin of Red Legacy, the owner of the center, said that the Legends is causing development to the east.
Unified Commission to consider waiving housing fees
The Unified Commission will consider the waiving of sewer hook-up and building fees for new single-family housing when it meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at City Hall. The issue received favorable consideration at the Economic Development and Public Works Standing Committees.
Bank, College partner to produce video series
The Kansas City, Kansas, Community College Endowment Association and the Workforce Development Department are cooperating with the Bank of Blue Valley to produce a series of entrepreneurial videos. Funding comes from a $10,000 grant from the bank and the Regnier Family Foundation. The college is pursuing an increased focus on entrepreneurship in recent years with the Innovation Summit held each spring, the new Business Innovation Center and the newly created entrepreneur certificate program.
American Royal may consider Western Wyandotte County
A recent article by Rob Roberts of the Kansas City Business Journal indicated that the American Royal may be interested in moving to the Village East area that is being developed by the Schlitterbahn water park and the U.S Soccer federation. George Brajkovic, the economic development manager for the Unified Government, confirmed that American Royal officials had “reached out” to Unified Government officials. However, there were no specific or detailed plans, the article said. Several months ago, Joe Steineger Jr., a former Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor and a member of the board of directors of National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, said American Royal officials had discussed a cooperative venture; however, nothing evolved, Steineger said.
BPU names “everyday hero”
A committee of his peers at the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities recently named Matt Cragg an “Everyday Hero”. Cragg, who is a supervisor of radio and cable for the BPU, recently directed a team that launched a new radio system for all first responders of public safety officials in Wyandotte County including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and BPU crews. The new system is tied to a metropolitan digital radio system. Cragg has been with the BPU for nine years and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Providence recognized for coronary intervention care
Healthgrades, an online resource that helps consumers make decisions, recognized Providence Medical Center as one of America’s top 100 hospitals for coronary intervention care and a 5-star recipient for treatment of a heart attack. Nearly 4,500 hospitals were evaluated. Dr. Venkat Pasnoori, the Medical Director of Providence’s Cardiac Center, said, “We have taken a team approach in providing comprehensive care…” Providence is part of Prime Healthcare Services, a national system of 30 acute-care hospitals.
Unified Government to look at plans for casino hotel
The Planning Commission of the Unified Government will consider plans for a 248-room hotel next to the Hollywood Casino at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 at City Hall. Kansas Entertainment, a 50-50 venture of Penn Hollywood Kansas Inc. and Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, operates the casino and is proposing the hotel. As part of its casino development agreement with the Unified Government, Kansas Entertainment agreed to build a hotel or pay a penalty of 1 percent of the casino’s annual gross gaming revenue.
Changes told in Police Department
Terry Zeigler is the new police chief for Kansas City, Kansas, effective Jan. 1. He joined the department in 1990 after serving three years active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He has served in various areas of the Police Department including operations, vice, the detective bureau, the homicide unit and internal affairs. Major Tyrone Garner was promoted to deputy chief. He has served as executive officer with the bureau of operations and commander of the West Patrol. The new commander of West and Midtown patrols is Major Henry Horn.
New member welcomed
Pemberton Senior Living, 8301 Walker Ave., is a new member of Business West. Prairie Fire Development is the owner of this apartment complex for older adults. The manager at the Pemberton location is Kinyotta Lennox. Prairie Fire is proposing to develop a similar complex near 89th Street and Tauromee Avenue.
Members always welcome
All members of Business West are always welcome to attend the monthly board meetings of Business West. The board meets at 12:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the Board Room of the Sunset Bar and Grill, 8123 Parallel Pkwy. in the Arrowhead Center.
For questions or comments, telephone 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266 (cell) or e-mail [email protected].