Empty land near a major youth sports complex in Olathe could soon become the center of one of the largest development projects in Kansas, as city and county leaders move forward with STAR bond plans connected to a proposed Kansas City Chiefs headquarters and practice facility.Newly released maps show a significantly smaller STAR bond district than originally discussed, narrowing the area where future sales tax revenue would be redirected to help pay for development.Olathe Mayor John Bacon said the financing plan does not raise taxes but instead relies on future spending that would not exist without the project.“This is not raising people’s taxes. There’s been several discussions about this taking taxes that are being collected in one part of our city and transferring it to another — and that could be the case,” Bacon said.Supporters argue the project could shift some spending that currently happens in Missouri to Kansas, creating long-term economic benefits for Olathe.The Olathe City Council voted unanimously, 7-0, to support the Chiefs’ development concept. Bacon, who has spent three decades in public service, said he sees the vote as a turning point for the largely undeveloped area.The proposed site covers about 165 acres just south of the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex, near Ridgeview Road and College Boulevard, with railroad tracks to the east.Bacon said Olathe’s incentives are limited but designed to encourage additional private development around the Chiefs’ facility.“There will be ancillary development that occurs that we’ll benefit from,” Bacon said. “And as you heard tonight, we get to keep our sales tax that’s collected for our parks and street maintenance.”Under the plan approved by Olathe, the city would pledge portions of certain taxes for up to 30 years, including seven of the nine percentage points of hotel taxes and about 1.5% of the city’s sales tax.A separate ordinance is now under consideration in Kansas City and Wyandotte County, where officials are weighing a larger STAR bond commitment tied to a broader 236-acre area.Kansas City, Kansas Mayor and Wyandotte County CEO Christal Watson said the proposal is largely driven by the state and continues to evolve.“We kind of had this thrown on us by the state. We are working very closely with the state,” Watson said.As written, the Kansas City, Kansas ordinance would commit up to 8% of hotel sales tax, all county sales tax not already dedicated to other uses, and 1% of the city’s general sales tax for purchases made inside the district.The proposed Chiefs stadium and related development would be located near the parking area for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, near 126th Street and State Avenue.Despite uncertainty about how the vote will go, Watson said the city plans to be prepared either way.“We’re going to make the most out this situation regardless of what the vote is on Thursday,” she said.If approved, the STAR bond districts would allow future tax revenue generated inside the designated areas to help pay off bonds used to finance roads, utilities, and other infrastructure tied to the Chiefs’ project and surrounding development.

OLATHE, Kan. —

Empty land near a major youth sports complex in Olathe could soon become the center of one of the largest development projects in Kansas, as city and county leaders move forward with STAR bond plans connected to a proposed Kansas City Chiefs headquarters and practice facility.

Newly released maps show a significantly smaller STAR bond district than originally discussed, narrowing the area where future sales tax revenue would be redirected to help pay for development.

Olathe Mayor John Bacon said the financing plan does not raise taxes but instead relies on future spending that would not exist without the project.

“This is not raising people’s taxes. There’s been several discussions about this taking taxes that are being collected in one part of our city and transferring it to another — and that could be the case,” Bacon said.

Supporters argue the project could shift some spending that currently happens in Missouri to Kansas, creating long-term economic benefits for Olathe.

The Olathe City Council voted unanimously, 7-0, to support the Chiefs’ development concept. Bacon, who has spent three decades in public service, said he sees the vote as a turning point for the largely undeveloped area.

The proposed site covers about 165 acres just south of the Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex, near Ridgeview Road and College Boulevard, with railroad tracks to the east.

Bacon said Olathe’s incentives are limited but designed to encourage additional private development around the Chiefs’ facility.

“There will be ancillary development that occurs that we’ll benefit from,” Bacon said. “And as you heard tonight, we get to keep our sales tax that’s collected for our parks and street maintenance.”

Under the plan approved by Olathe, the city would pledge portions of certain taxes for up to 30 years, including seven of the nine percentage points of hotel taxes and about 1.5% of the city’s sales tax.

A separate ordinance is now under consideration in Kansas City and Wyandotte County, where officials are weighing a larger STAR bond commitment tied to a broader 236-acre area.

Kansas City, Kansas Mayor and Wyandotte County CEO Christal Watson said the proposal is largely driven by the state and continues to evolve.

“We kind of had this thrown on us by the state. We are working very closely with the state,” Watson said.

As written, the Kansas City, Kansas ordinance would commit up to 8% of hotel sales tax, all county sales tax not already dedicated to other uses, and 1% of the city’s general sales tax for purchases made inside the district.

The proposed Chiefs stadium and related development would be located near the parking area for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, near 126th Street and State Avenue.

Despite uncertainty about how the vote will go, Watson said the city plans to be prepared either way.

“We’re going to make the most out this situation regardless of what the vote is on Thursday,” she said.

If approved, the STAR bond districts would allow future tax revenue generated inside the designated areas to help pay off bonds used to finance roads, utilities, and other infrastructure tied to the Chiefs’ project and surrounding development.