A plan to revitalize the demolished Great Mall site with a hockey arena, golf entertainment complex and apartments advanced Monday, appearing to give Olathe the edge over a rival concept proposed for Overland Park.
By a 5-0 vote, the Olathe Planning Commission endorsed a rezoning and preliminary development plan for the former Great Mall of the Great Plains site, at Interstate 35 and 151st Street. The City Council is expected to vote Feb. 5.
“I think the project is actually very exciting,” said planning commissioner Jeremy Fry. “I think it’s great for all things Olathe and in getting some life back in this section of the city.” The project is contingent on $69.5 million in Kansas state tax incentives, called STAR bonds, which help developers of major tourism projects pay for eligible development costs. The Olathe City Council has already approved the developer’s STAR bond application, but it still awaits a budget approval from the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Olathe is in something of a race with Overland Park, where a different developer, Price Brothers, has also proposed a hockey arena and other entertainment uses for the Bluhawk development, at the southwest corner of U.S. 69 Highway and 159th Street.
Price Brothers is seeking $63.2 million in STAR bond incentives for a 3,500-seat arena and multi-sport complex plus other retail, restaurant and hotel uses. Overland Park City Council members postponed a decision in December on that STAR bond application, saying they needed more information about how that development would be a major tourism destination. The Overland Park City Council could take the request up again Jan. 28.
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)