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Kansas civic leaders debate county research triangle
By FINN BULLERSThe Kansas City Star
Kansas civic leaders convinced Johnson County commissioners Thursday that it’s time to move forward on a research triangle involving the state’s two largest universities.
It’s now likely that county residents will be voting this fall on a one-eighth-cent sales tax increase to help pay for it. Commissioners voted 6-0 Thursday to recommend placing the tax on the Nov. 4 ballot.
If the tax is approved, the estimated $15 million in annual revenue would help fund the Johnson County Education Research Triangle, which supporters say could one day find a cure for cancer, lure highly educated workers to the heartland and help make Kansas City one of the top 20 life-science centers in the country.
An impact analysis prepared by the County Economic Research Institute concludes that the triangle could boost the local economy by $1.4 billion over the next two decades. That amount supports 613 new jobs and more than $343 million in new earnings.
“This project is economic stimulus. It’s getting a piece of the new knowledge-based economy for Johnson County. It’s getting great return for little investment,” said Mary Birch, the government relations coordinator for the Lathrop & Gage law firm.
“To be considered a great community, you’ve got to have ventures like this beyond just good public safety, roads and schools.”
Birch is spearheading the effort along with 15 other members of an advisory council.
The public will have a chance to weigh in as early as May 22, and no later than June 5, when commissioners decide whether to place the question on the ballot. Thursday’s action was not binding.
Most commissioners appeared to agree the tax increase is sound, but they have been wrestling with competing spending priorities. A quarter-cent sales tax renewal is on the Aug. 5 ballot to fund public safety initiatives.
The research triangle tax would be a forever tax, meaning it would not sunset. Revenue would be divided equally among three campuses.
University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway told commissioners that his institution would first build a 75,000-square-foot Business, Engineering and Technology Center at the Edwards Campus in south Overland Park. The center would offer 10 new degree programs and add 1,000 new students a year.
In Fairway, the KU Clinical Research Center would help the university in its quest to become a national cancer center. It is to be housed in the Fairway Office Park, where the Hall Family Foundation has purchased a building to be donated to the university.
“Our region needs to make fighting cancer a priority,” Hemenway said. “The pursuit of a world-class cancer center is our university’s top priority.”
The first campus building for the K-State Olathe Innovation Campus would be the National Food and Animal Health Institute — 30,000 square feet for research and 73,000 square feet for classrooms.
University officials said they also would have to raise private funds. After buildings are completed, they expect research dollars to support programs.