The former J.W. Lewis Park ground, which was the site of the former city swimming pool, has been sold by the City of Platte City to Sprint Lumber.
Sprint Lumber operates a nearby lumber yard.
The city’s board of aldermen recently approved the sale at a price of $275,000.
The ground involved consists of two acres of property and is located behind City Hall at 405 Fourth Street.
A sales tax reimbursement agreement between the city and Sprint Lumber has also been approved by the city. The agreement provides a 100% incentive if Sprint completes several items for public benefit, including increases sales tax revenue for the city, improving large vehicle traffic flow through the downtown area and remaining in Platte City for a minimum of five years after the date of the agreement.
City officials say they have been working with Sprint Lumber, one of the five largest sales tax generators for the city, since 2018 to find a site for expansion within the city limits.
According to city documents, in November 2020 Sprint and the city initiated negotiations for sale of city owned property but those negotiations died in early 2021. At Sprint’s request, earlier this year negotiations restarted, and focused on the two parcels of land adjacent to the existing Sprint Lumber property.
A certified commercial appraisal firm appraised the property for the city in late 2020 with a fair market value of $275,000.