Country Club Plaza back at Port KC with updated tax break plan for redevelopment
The developers behind a $1.5 billion plan to revitalize the Country Club Plaza are bringing forward a new proposal for support and incentives through the Port Authority of Kansas City.
Gillon Property Group has sought to stabilize the famous shopping district — which has faced struggles in recent years with vacant storefronts, declining property values and failing infrastructure — and has pledged to bring in new businesses and build new housing in taller buildings that would add residents to the area.
The ambitious project could include adding about 824 new housing units and about 150 new hotel rooms while fixing up and improving infrastructure around the Plaza.
But Gillon’s initial proposals for property tax breaks to help support redevelopment on the Plaza drew outcry last year from other taxing bodies like Kansas City Public Library and Kansas City Public Schools.
School district officials argued that, due to how the numbers were structured, previous plans could actually reduce or flatten tax revenue for the district than it receives now.
Gillon and Port KC are now back with a new proposal as discussions continue with taxing bodies. The Port KC Board of Commissioners’ development committee heard about the updated version on Monday.
Under the latest proposal, the owner would make fixed payments, increasing every year, totaling more than $234.5 million to taxing bodies over 30 years. And as denser buildings come online, the owner would make an additional estimated $46.5 million in payments.
That would mean more than $281 million to taxing bodies during that time, according to Port KC documents, which appears to be higher than what was originally proposed in 2025.
The total amount that Gillon would save on property taxes on new development over 30 years was not immediately available; exemptions would vary by year and property use.
“For further health and vitality of the Country Club Plaza, office, residential and hospitality density located on the Plaza will be vital to the long-term success and business attraction for the Plaza,” Port KC documents said. “This ultimately sets up the Plaza to return to its status as a strong piece of the tax base and an asset every Kansas Citian can be proud of.”
The development committee did not take a vote on Monday; officials noted there are still scheduled meetings between the developers and taxing bodies to discuss and answer questions about the plan, which could come back up for a vote as soon as this month.
“I think we’re optimistic that those will go well,” Port KC CEO Jon Stephens said Monday.
Separately, the City Council has approved planning changes that sought to preserve the Plaza’s character and encourage walkability while opening the door to taller buildings.