Pioneer campus sale helps fund host of projects in Kansas City

Kansas City government’s sale of a former community college building for $2.35 million will free up money for a diverse list of projects, covering everything from mold remediation to a Crossroads Arts District parking study to improvements at the Municipal Court building.

The City Council’s Finance and Governance Committee endorsed the project list Wednesday, and it goes to the full council Thursday.

“These were identified by city staff and the city manager as immediate needs,” said Kansas City budget officer Scott Huizenga. Since the sale is a one-time infusion of money, city policy says it should be spent on one-time needs rather than for ongoing expenses.

Kansas City municipal government owned the former Metropolitan Community College-Pioneer campus at 18th Street and Prospect Avenue. In June, the KIPP KC charter school completed negotiations to buy the building. The school, also known as KIPP Endeavor Academy, was expanding from serving middle school grades to also serving elementary school grades.

The money will go for one-time Kansas City government uses, including:

▪ $425,000 to complete improvements at the Municipal Court building.

▪ $275,000 to complete construction of a mental health crisis center, 2600 E. 12th St.

▪ $270,000 to purchase a neglected vacant building in the 18th and Vine Jazz District that will be torn down, and to repay a rehab loan on several properties in the Monarch Manor neighborhood at 22nd Street and Brooklyn Avenue.

▪ $228,000 to remediate mold due to flooding in the Cosentino’s market garage downtown.

▪ $100,000 for a police staffing study to help determine the best way to deploy the police force and improve efficiencies, and $140,000 to work on consolidating police and city information technology services.

▪ $120,000 for excess workers compensation payments above the budget estimate of $550,000.

▪ $105,000 to purchase a long-vacant day care center at 4902 Swope Parkway. Demolition of that building and a nearby boarded-up McDonald’s will help the city improve the entrance to its 4900 Swope Parkway services building.

▪ $60,000 for a parking study for the Crossroads Arts District in downtown.

This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Pioneer campus sale helps fund host of projects in Kansas City."