While many cities are known for their expanding skylines, action-packed nightlife, and bustling communities, KCK has all of that incorporated into a small, diverse, and family-oriented community. It has some big city amenities with a small-town down-home appeal.
KCK is the 3rd largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. The city was incorporated in 1886 and for (73) years was governed by a (3) member elected Board of Commissioners. In August of 1982, the city held an election, and voters approved a change in the form of city government. Under the Charter Ordinance No. 84 the city changed to a (7) member, Mayor-Council-Administrator form of government in April 1983.
April 1, 1997
Voters unanimously approved consolidating the governments of the City of Kansas City, KS (the “City”) and Wyandotte County, KS (the “County”), into (1) jurisdiction; The Unified Government (UG) of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS effective October 1, 1997. The UG, with a 2010 County population of 163,831, covers 155.7 square miles. KCK is located on the eastern border of the State of Kansas and situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, we’re part of a greater metropolitan area of nearly 2 million people. The bistate region encompasses Kansas City, MO, and suburbs on both sides of the state line.
Success Breeds Success
Wyandotte County citizens set the stage for today’s economic development successes in 1997 when they overwhelmingly agreed to consolidate the county and city government. The community was suffering from years of economic hardships and decline. Citizens were ready for a rebirth. The new form of government began the landmark renaissance in the community.
The fresh political dynamic created by consolidation allowed the community to take new, bold approaches to many issues, including economic development. Soon after the UG was launched, the economic development opportunity of a lifetime landed in Wyandotte County. The Kansas Speedway and Village West developments are the most successful economic developments ever built in the State of Kansas, turning mostly undeveloped land into one of the most popular tourist, shopping, and entertainment attractions in the Midwest.
Village West
Has 114 businesses, including (28) restaurants. Those businesses employ nearly 5,700 people, jobs which (10+) years ago did not exist. It generated over $610 million in retail sales in 2009, producing $41 million in local and state sales tax collections. The 2009 real and personal property taxes levied on Village West is just over $11 million. Before the development, that same land area produced only $209,000 in annual property taxes.
Great Wolf Lodge
An indoor waterpark resort and was the first hotel. Other Village West hotels soon followed, including Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Country Inn, and Chateau Avalon. Chateau Avalon is a unique hotel where every room is decorated in a different destination theme. Expedia.com has acknowledged it as among the top one percent of hotels worldwide. Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City just opened recently in 2016.
Village West is also the product of innovative financing and groundbreaking economic development approaches. The development is largely financed by Sales Tax Revenue Bonds (STAR Bonds), in which sales tax revenues generated by the businesses pay the bonds used to build the infrastructure and key components of the development. The taxpayers of Wyandotte County nor the State of Kansas are obligated to pay a dime on the STAR Bonds should a project fail. That obligation rests solely with the investors who purchased the bonds.
The Village West development has sparked construction of surrounding retail not part of the STAR Bond district, including a Walmart Supercenter, Best Buy, Kohl’s Department store, JC Penney, Target, National Tire and Battery, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster restaurants. The Plaza at the Speedway development generates sales and property taxes which go to the State of Kansas, Unified Government, and public schools.
The synergy generated by the Kansas Speedway and Village West creates new destination tourism attractions. The Schlitterbahn Waterpark opened in 2009 and continues to expand with new fun water attractions. Nearly $200 million in private funds had been invested before a dime of STAR Bond dollars were even issued. Schlitterbahn employs approximately 300 workers during the summer season.
More Success
The UG was recognized by Site Selection magazine for its $400 million deal to bring a major expansion of the Cerner Corporation and an 18,000-seat multipurpose soccer stadium for Sporting Club, Kansas City’s Major League Soccer team, to Village West. The corporate real estate and economic development magazine ranked this project as one of the top deals in North America in its May 2011 issue.
The Cerner Corporation/Sporting Kansas City brings 4,000 new high-paying healthcare technology jobs to the State of Kansas;
- Creates several thousand additional jobs connected with the sports stadium and spin-off employment
- Contributes to the States goal of becoming a national leader in the healthcare field
- Creates educational and job opportunities for Wyandotte County students
- Brings Kansas its first and only major league sports franchise
The Village West area also welcomed a $386 million Hollywood Casino to Kansas Speedway, which is also planning to construct a new hotel in 2015.
This continued success and established track record is what attracted Google to Kansas City. On Wednesday, March 30th, 2010, Google announced its selection of KCK, as the location for its ultra-high-speed fiber project. Kansas City was the first city out of 1,100 applicants to be selected for this unique and innovative partnership.
On July 23, 2014, the UG joined Sporting Club and U.S. Soccer to announce plans to construct a $75 million development soccer training facility in Kansas City, Kansas. The brand-new training center will be home to the premiere soccer development complex in the world and make Wyandotte County the new home of American soccer. Construction is scheduled to commence in late.
2014 - Early 2015
Other highlights include high rankings for job creation and is known as a business-friendly city. Sara Lee Corp, General Motors, Proctor and Gamble, and Kellogg’s is just a few of the nation’s leading and innovative companies that have chosen Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County as their home. Kansas City has (4) school districts that provide services to public and private students living in Wyandotte County. The Kansas City, Kansas Schools is the largest school district and consists of (49) schools. In 2012, KCK was named one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING.
Regardless of your interests – history, concerts, family fun or dozens of other activities – From KCK provides access to a huge variety of fun and fascinating attractions.
Visit the Chamber of Commerce or the KCK Convention & Visitors Bureau websites for additional information.