KC Council approves measure to try to revive 63rd Street from Oak to Troost

The 63rd Street business district from Oak Street to Troost Avenue could be eligible for certain property tax breaks under a measure the Kansas City Council approved Thursday.

“I’m very bullish on this plan,” said Councilman Kevin McManus, noting that some creative new businesses have located in the area but that more is needed to reverse decades of decline.

But one council member said the city’s focus should be directed east of Troost.

Property tax breaks could eventually apply to certain eligible projects along the 63rd Street development area. It consists of 29 parcels and has been determined to be a blighted and underdeveloped district.

Councilman Quinton Lucas agreed this area has challenges, with prominent buildings that are vacant and decaying and need tax incentives for ambitious local developers to complete their renovation.

While the area has shown some encouraging progress, without incentives it could take 20 more years to complete the redevelopment, said Councilman Scott Taylor.

Councilwoman Alissia Canady was the lone dissenter in Thursday’s 10-1 vote. While a study found this corridor west of Troost to be blighted, she said the area east of Troost is truly neglected and in need. She questioned how the city can encourage rigorous growth east of Troost as long as it keeps designating areas west of Troost for tax breaks.

At a committee hearing Wednesday, local developer Butch Rigby argued in favor of this plan as a way to connect the Brookside neighborhood with Troost. He said he and partner Byron Pendleton own five properties along the street, and they want the entire district to be viable and revitalized, which he said will happen much more quickly with the tax breaks.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 5:43 PM with the headline "KC Council approves measure to try to revive 63rd Street from Oak to Troost."