The city of Kansas is currently contemplating selling a group of properties situated in the East Village area to VanTrust Real Estate LLC, a longtime developer with the master development rights for the area since 2017. The proposal to sell eight land and parking lot parcels, comprising around 5.7 acres, is up for review by the city’s Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee this week. The timing of the sale is noteworthy since the Kansas City Royals, a major league baseball team, have expressed their interest in exploring the downtown area as a potential location for their new baseball stadium.
The East Village is a sizable area that spans eight blocks, bounded by Eighth and 12th streets to the north and south, and Cherry and Charlotte streets to the west and east, respectively. Its proximity to the downtown area and other attractions make it a prime location for developers looking to build commercial and residential properties. The sale of these properties to VanTrust Real Estate LLC, who has already been involved in the development of the East Village, could potentially pave the way for further development in the area.
The sale of these properties would be a significant move for the city of Kansas, as it would mark a shift in ownership from public to private hands. This decision could potentially be controversial, as some residents might argue that public land should be kept in public hands to benefit the community at large. Nonetheless, the potential development and economic growth that could stem from the sale could also have a positive impact on the city’s economy and its residents.
The recent proposal presented to the city of Kansas suggests that City Manager Brian Platt was previously authorized to execute an amendment to VanTrust’s agreement in September. However, upon further review, it was found that additional modifications were necessary to finalize the revision. These changes aim to adjust the mechanism for the city’s contribution to the development and ensure that it aligns with the current requirements and goals of the project.
VanTrust Executive Vice President Rich Muller stated that this ordinance is just one more step towards the ongoing redevelopment of the East Village area. The project has been in the works for a while and aims to transform the eight-block area into a mixed-use development with commercial and residential spaces. This redevelopment could bring in new businesses and residents to the downtown area, thus stimulating economic growth and creating more job opportunities.
The proposal to modify the agreement between VanTrust and the city of Kansas could be seen as a necessary step towards ensuring that the development aligns with the city’s goals and needs. However, some residents may have concerns about the potential impact of the proposed changes on the community, including the distribution of resources and benefits.