Leawood council formally approves Camelot Court CID sales tax

After a unanimous approval by Leawood City Council on Monday, the city’s first Community Improvement District will raise $8 million over at least 22 years for the Camelot Court shopping center.

The Community Improvement District, or CID, will charge shoppers an additional 1 cent sales tax at Camelot Court, located on Roe Avenue and 119th Street. The tax would pay for exterior improvements such as landscaping, lighting, irrigation, signs and closing one of the three entrances from Roe Avenue.

The entire redevelopment plan for Camelot is estimated to cost $36 million. Though the $8 million promised is about $2 million below what Camelot initially asked for, it is nearly double the $3.85 million that City Administrator Scott Lambers recommended.

In June, the council gave preliminary approval for the CID on a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Lou Rasmussen opposed and Councilwoman Carrie Rezac absent. The council gave its formal approval without discussion on a 7-0 vote Monday, with Councilwoman Debra Filla absent and Rasmussen voting for it.

Community Improvement Districts have been controversial in Leawood. Last May, a proposed half-cent CID sales tax for the Hy-Vee on State Line Road fell through. The grocery store closed its doors on June 1.

This story was originally published July 8, 2014 at 11:45 AM with the headline "Leawood council formally approves Camelot Court CID sales tax."