‘A really good compromise.’ Kansas City OKs new Plaza project after months of squabbling
After months of feuding, a controversial restaurant development planned near the Country Club Plaza has been approved by city leaders.
Last week, the Kansas City Council approved a development agreement for Cocina47, a three-story restaurant building planned for 604 W. 47th St. That property, just across the street from the Country Club Plaza shopping district, is currently the home of the Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist. That historic brick building will be demolished to make way for the new project.
The city approval caps months of controversy over the project.
Initially proposed at three stories, the project was opposed by Block Real Estate, Historic Kansas City, neighborhood groups and Taubman Realty Group, which owns and operates the Country Club Plaza shops and restaurants.
Then, the developer proposed tripling the building to nine stories, escalating the debate into a public feud between two prominent Kansas City development firms, unearthed years-old resentments about construction rules and intensified the debate about the future of the Country Club Plaza.
But the developer says those issues have been resolved.
“I think all of you know that we’ve spent a long, long time with surrounding property owners and stakeholders to get to this point,” Matt Pennington, president of Drake Development, told a City Council committee last week. “...It’s taken a long time to get here, but I think the end product is really good for not only the Plaza, but for the city.”
Pennington told The Star he expects the church to be demolished this year with construction beginning soon after. Restaurants in the new building could open by the first quarter of 2025. No tenants have been announced.
“This building is just a huge shot in the arm to the Plaza at really a crucial time,” he said, a reference to the vacancies that have plagued the shopping and entertainment district since the pandemic.
Plaza officials declined to comment on the project.
Council member Katheryn Shields testified from the audience last week in favor of the new project plans.
“I’m very happy and excited to be here today,” she said to the Neighborhood, Planning and Development Committee.
Shields previously objected to the nine-story proposal, but said the developer had worked with her office and Historic Kansas City to come up with a better plan. She represents the 4th District at large. The new design slightly exceeds the 45-foot height requirements in city code for that part of the Plaza area.
But Shields said a tiered design to the front facade, which she said looks “like a wedding cake,” will make the building more attractive from 47th Street.
“We believe — both because of the materials, the way it is stepped back, having terraces on the second level and third level — that it very much meets the sentiment and spirit of the height restrictions that are in place on this site,” she said.
While the project is receiving an exception from current height restrictions, Shields noted the developer has agreed to deed restrictions which will bar owners from building above the planned three stories in the future.
“I think we have a really good compromise here,” she said. “It took a while to work out, but this is a very important area of our city and it’s worth the time that staff, myself, Mr. Pennington and others have put into reaching it.”
Drake Development even won over Ken Block, the managing principal of Block Real Estate Services. That firm, a major developer on the Plaza, owns the 14-story 46 Penn Centre tower that overlooks the current church building.
“It was a long negotiated settlement but I think one that will be a good addition to the Plaza now,” Block told the council committee. “So I’m in support of this project now and wanted you to know that.”
He could not be reached for comment.
The new building will not add any parking as required under city rules. But Pennington said he is working with Block, Plaza operators and others on securing more than 300 parking spaces nearby.
The Port Authority of Kansas City has approved tax breaks for the development, which sits next door to the Jack Henry building. That property was recently redeveloped by Drake Development and received tax incentives from the Port Authority.
The authority awarded a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the Cocina47 building. The developer will also assess an additional 2% sales tax on customers to recoup some costs of the development — similar to the 1% sales tax already assessed at the Jack Henry building.
The new project didn’t receive a property tax abatement outright. But the board overseeing the Port Authority did agree to a 33-year property tax schedule that assures only modest increases in taxes over that time frame. Annual payments will range from $77,157 to $207,688.
Kansas City Public Schools objected to the incentive request, noting that the property tax figures were based on 2021 assessments. The property has yet to receive its current assessment from Jackson County, officials said.
Lisa Briscoe, executive director of Historic Kansas City, supported the project. But in testimony to the council committee last week, she noted the imminent loss of the historic church building.
“There really is no consolation for that loss,” she said. “A very scenic and historic feature of the Plaza will now disappear.”
This story was originally published May 30, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
