Plaza owners seek major tax breaks for $1.4 billion overhaul plan, new housing

The Country Club Plaza development team has asked for tax breaks to help cover $1.4 billion in redevelopment that could dramatically remake the historic commercial district, including hundreds of possible new residential units.

The Board of Commissioners for Port KC, a public agency that stewards big development projects in the city, was expected to discuss a plan on Monday that would help finance the redevelopment of 1.7 million square feet of retail space and the construction of 750 residential units and about 280 hotel rooms. The developers also plan to make repairs and improvements on public and private infrastructure in and around the Plaza.

The plan proposed to Port KC included sales tax exemptions on construction materials alongside real and personal property tax exemptions for up to 30 years. The owner would make payments equal to the existing real property taxes, with an increase every two years. The total amount of the proposed property tax breaks was not immediately available.

Gillon Property Group provided The Star with a rendering on Monday that shows new multistory buildings sprouted up throughout the Plaza, which comes as the developer seeks to relax height limits on some parcels in the area.

And the Kansas City Business Journal reported that the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, an agency separate from Port KC that also offers support for projects, could consider a plan later this month for financial incentives that would help cover garage, streetscape, open space, infrastructure and deferred maintenance work.

All told, the latest filings offer the fullest picture yet of Gillon’s plans for redevelopment in the Plaza, which switched ownership last year. Kansas Citians have anxiously awaited each sign of movement on restoring the Plaza, which has dealt with closures and vacant storefronts in recent years.

The Port KC board did not end up voting on the proposal on Monday as planned, removing the item from its agenda shortly before the scheduled meeting. It’s expected to be moved to a future meeting.

Port KC spokesperson Meredith Hoenes said that negotiations are ongoing. Dustin Bullard, vice president of partnerships and place for Gillon, said the item was held to allow more time for outreach with taxing jurisdictions whose revenues would be affected by the proposed tax breaks.

Port KC documents show that the developer held a meeting Nov. 13 about the proposal with three of the involved taxing jurisdictions: the city, Kansas City Public Schools and the Kansas City Public Library. Other taxing bodies did not attend.

The school district and the library expressed concern about the level of the tax abatement and objected to the amount of time they had to review the proposal before the Port KC meeting, documents say.

“The Plaza is an important cultural and economic institution in Kansas City. The leadership at Kansas City Public Schools appreciates the Port KC board not rushing this project through in line with the district’s request for increased participation and transparency,” the school district said in a statement. “KCPS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier looks forward to negotiations that lead to Kansas City’s kids and teachers benefitting from this investment in our region’s future.”

The library had no further comment.

“Between now and the end of the year, Plaza ownership, community stakeholders and the city will continue working together to lay out a pathway for a vibrant future for the Country Club Plaza, Kansas City, and the thousands of residents, businesses, and visitors who will build generations of memories and success on the Plaza,” Mayor Quinton Lucas’ office said in a statement. “The mayor welcomes more jobs, new and exceptional spaces, and more residents to a dynamic area that is vital to the long-term success of Kansas City.”

Over the past year, the Plaza has invested in security improvements and facade upgrades and announced a slew of new tenants expected to open up shop.

The Plaza has also presented a vision for a new high-rise tower on the vacant site that was supposed to become a Nordstrom store before those plans were canceled. Streetscape changes to make the area more pedestrian-friendly have also been presented.

This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM.