KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The cities of Overland Park and Olathe are both taking shots at development projects, which would include hockey arenas.
The projects are within 10 miles of each other.
Overland Park's Plan
Overland Park City Council approved a plan Monday to request STAR bonds for a $195 million arena, multi-sport and retail complex near 159th and Antioch Road.
STAR bonds are a type of financing that allows future sales tax revenue to pay for some development costs.
"If you look to the future, especially in southern Overland Park, it's really going to be an iconic development bringing in lots of people from different states into the area. It's exactly the project we are looking for," said Overland Park council member Paul Lyons.
The project includes a 3,500-seat arena for sports, events and concerts. Developers would like to host an amateur hockey team.
It follows a similar project proposal in Olathe, about 10 miles away.
Olathe's Plan
In December, Olathe City Council approved a developer's plan to request STAR bonds for a $300 million mixed-use development property at the site of the former Great Mall of the Great Plains.
The project includes office and retail space, apartments, two hotels and a 4,000-seat hockey arena. Developers say the arena would become home base for the Kansas City Hockey Youth Association.
"We have great confidence in the developer. We think it's a great project in an area we want to see redeveloped," said Tim Dannenberg, communications director for the city of Olathe.
The Great Mall of the Great Plains closed in the fall of 2015 after the site failed to attract enough shoppers.
Demand for Ice
Before Overland Park or Olathe can access STAR bonds, the Kansas Department of Commerce will have to approve the projects.
The state could approve both projects, pick one or reject both.
"Demand comes from having opportunities," said Tom Tilley, president of the Kansas City Youth Hockey Association.
According to Tilley, there are not enough full-sized ice rinks in the metro to transitions kids interested in playing hockey to playing on teams or in clubs.
There are only three NHL-sized rinks that are open year-round to players.
"Independence is a good data point. It shows just how quickly interest can grow," he said.
