CITY OWNS 38 ACRES AT SOUTHEAST CORNER OF I-29 AND HH
What does the future hold for land the City of Platte City owns on the east side of I-29?
For more than a decade the city has owned more than 38 acres at the southeast corner of I-29 and Hwy. HH (Main Street).
Recently, Tom Cole, new city administrator, let the city’s economic development committee he would like to hear recommendations for the type of development the city wants to see on that property.
In 2014, the city, through a condemnation process that was due to terms of a trust that owned the property, acquired the nearly 39 acres of land for $1.3 million. The price the city paid for the land was determined through an appraisal process by court-appointed commissioners in the condemnation process.
City officials have indicated recently that two or three development groups have expressed some level of interest in the city-owned property. Mayor Steve Hoeger has mentioned the need or desire for a master plan, noting that it will take time to develop.
Cole has said the city could put out a request for proposals for real estate development services. He said the request would be for proposals on the “development of city-owned property into its highest and best use.”
A draft of the potential request for proposals indicates the city would seek “proposals from qualified real estate development teams to develop, own and operate” the property.
“The city is committed to selecting a development team that will enhance the community and contribute positively to Platte City’s growth while aligning with the city’s long term goals of enhanced amenities, services and commerce to accommodate the projected population increase of roughly 4,000 additional residents coming in the next decade,” states the draft of a potential request for proposals.
It goes on to state that “the intent of this RFP (request for proposals) is to identify a viable development strategy with actions and tangible development.”
Cole said over the past six months the city has been approached by “potentially interested development partners.”
The 38 acres consists of various topographies and is just a few seconds from access to I-29. The draft RFP says the I-29 area has a daily traffic volume of 29,000 vehicles per day.
“While highway patrons will certainly be beneficial, the intent is to establish additional amenities, services and commerce for our existing 5,000 residents and future residents as the residential offerings of Platte City continue to expand,” according to the draft RFP.
Nearby points of interest to the property include Downtown Platte City and the Platte County Courthouse, a half mile away; Hwy. 92, about a mile away; KCI Airport, about 5.5 miles away; and Weston Bend State Park, about 6.5 miles away.
Evaluation of proposals received would include factors such as alignment with city goals; design quality; feasibility; experience and expertise; and sustainability.
The draft of the RFP indicates the city will consider the use of economic development incentives.
It is indicated that the city would retain ownership of the property during the development process.
A meeting of the city’s economic development committee was set for Tuesday night of this week as The Landmark was heading to press. The agenda for that meeting included a “discussion regarding future/potential development of the city’s 38.86 acre property located at the southeast corner of HH Highway and I-29.”
The economic development committee is an advisory body to the full board of aldermen. Approval of any recommendation made by the committee would go to the full board of aldermen.
