Please come to a series of 4 workshops on KC’s light rail project

You are invited to participate! The KCATA and the City need your input on how light rail will operate downtown. The first of a series of 4 workshops is tonight. The meetings build on each other and you are encouraged to come to all. The meetings are sponsored by the Downtown Council, Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Kansas City Design Center. Information is available on the Crossroads Community Association’s online calendar at kccrossroads.org, as well as below:
March 5, 5:30-7:30 pm Town Pavilion Conference Center, Marquis Room 1100 Walnut (take low-rise elevators in lobby to 4th floor) Parking available at Town Center Garage

March 26th, 5:30-7:30 pm Kansas City Design Center 1018 Baltimore Parking available at Downtown Library Garage

April 9, 5:30-7:30 pm (Location to be announced)

April 23, 5:30-7:30 pm (Location to be announced)

Majora Carter will be speaking Thursday December 6th at 8 a.m. in the Helzberg Auditorium at the Kansas City Public Library Central branch, 14 West 10th Street in Downtown Kansas City. There will be a continental breakfast and conversation. The description from the library’s website follows:

Conversations on the Environment at Central Library (816-701-3400)

Come hear Majora Carter as she inspires us with her insights on how Sustainable South Bronx has empowered community groups, developers, and city and state governments to create a green, equitable and prosperous community in the urban core. The result has been economic development, environmental justice and entrepreneurial opportunities. Newsweek, Vibe magazine and others have reported on this successful model she helped create. Learn more at the Web site: www.ssbx.org. Join Kansas City’s business, civic and community leaders as we learn how we can transform our community through untapped resources and create a more sustainable approach to infrastructure and development.The Central Library parking lot is located directly west of the Central Library building on the NW corner of 10th & Baltimore. It is open 7 days a week and cost to park in the Library parking lot is free for the first hour with validation from Library staff. Cost is $1 every 20 minutes (or portion thereof) after the first validated hour. Parking after 5:00 p.m. in the garage is $2.One hour metered parking is available on adjacent streets and is free on the evenings and weekends.

GouldEvans and COR Team (BNIM) are the finalist candidates that may be chosen to create the Greater Downtown Area Plan. The community has had two meetings with the candidate teams. In the first meeting the teams solicited information from the public, and in the second  they presented their approaches for how they propose to interact with the public if chosen to create the Plan. We want your input on these proposals. Please go to to the City Planning website and read each team’s proposal.

http://www.kcmo.org/planning.nsf/plnpres/GDTareaplan_documents?opendocument

After you have read both, please comment below no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2007. The CCA board will have a special meeting on Monday, Nov 26th to discuss this issue and will consider your input. The deadline for feedback about this to the City Planning Department is November 30th.

Please rate each proposal on a 1 - 10 scale, 10 being the best, for
comprehensiveness in process and scope. BNIM(   )  GouldEvans (   )

Please rate each proposal on a 1 - 10 scale for engaging the
community in the planning process. GouldEvans (   ) BNIM(   ) 

Please rate each proposal on a 1 - 10 scale for innovation to address
the diverse needs of the community. BNIM(   )  GouldEvans (   )

Please rate each proposal overall on a 1 - 10 scale. GouldEvans(  ) BNIM(  )

In what way are you most likely to participate in the planning
process? A.Email B. Website C. Charrettes/meetings D. Progressive
community gatherings/dinners E. Other, (explain)

We also would appreciate comments about what you do or do not like in each plan, especially specific components in each proposal.

Thank you.

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HARRAH’S ART CONTEST
Harrah’s is providing the opportunity for artists to submit works for a chance to receive $10,000 and to have their work displayed very large on the side of a building in the Crossroads.  To enter, go here:

http://kccrossroads.org/harrahs/

Rules and FAQ are below:
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
1. HERE’S HOW TO ENTER: To register, between 12:01 a.m. CST on 9/01/07 and 11:59 p.m. CST on 11/30/07 go online to www.onenightatharrahs.com and complete the registration form. Create a design that is enlargeable to 90′x90′ that expresses the following theme: “One Night at Harrahs.” Upload a photo of the art piece on the website’s FTP site, or deliver on CD to Sponsor’s address. The actual art must be square and be no smaller than 2′x2′ and no larger than 4′x4′. The actual art must be able to be digitally photographed and replicated on a flat mesh vinyl measuring 90′ X 90′ without losing its original specifications and maintaining the integrity of the original art piece. All entrants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for technical, electronic, hardware, software or network, computer or data transmission errors, malfunctions or difficulties of any kind or for late, lost, misdirected, incomplete, or delayed entries. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

2. PRIZES: GRAND PRIZE: One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded, consisting of a cash award of $10,000 paid out in the form of a check. Grand Prize winner’s art will also be blown up (at Sponsor’s expense) to a 90′x90′ vinyl mesh and will be displayed on the side of a building selected by Sponsor for up to seven months with an artist credit. FINALIST PRIZES: The Nine remaining finalist will have the opportunity for their art to be displayed in the Harrah’s Kansas City hotel lobby with artist credits.

By participating in this contest, winners agree to fully transfer all right, title and interest to the submitted art to Sponsor without compensation (including but not limited to publicity rights and copyrights). No royalties, copyright fees, license fees, talent fees, or any other compensation will be paid for any reason relating to any aspect or part the submitted artwork, even if reproduced, distributed, and/or sold by Sponsor. Sponsor shall have the right to use any aspect or part of the submitted artwork, including winners name, likeness and image, for any commercial or marketing purposes without additional compensation, in perpetuity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein requires that Sponsor use the winning art, except as specified.

3. SELECTION: Ten (10) Finalists will be chosen by judges from all eligible entries received. Judging will be conducted on or about December 15, 2007. The winning art will be the entries that the Judges, in their sole and absolute discretion, deem to best meet the judging criteria and the spirit of the contest. Each eligible entry will be judged based on attributes deemed to be relevant by the judges in their discretion, including but not limited to: creativity, adherence to the theme, ability of the art, in the judges’ opinions, to adapt to the 90′x90′ final scale. The Judges reserve the right to select fewer than ten Finalists if, in their sole discretion, they believe that there are insufficient entries that meet the judging criteria. The judging panel will be composed of various local representatives. The Grand Prize winner will be announced at a Grand Prize Event held in the Crossroads District on 12/15/2007 (date subject to change based on availability of venue). Finalists must be in attendance in order to be considered for the Grand Prize. Transportation to and from the Grand Prize Event is solely the responsibility of each Finalist.

4. ELIGIBILITY and GENERAL CONDITIONS: Contest is only open to legal US residents of the metropolitan Kansas City, MO area (as determined by Sponsor), 21 years and older only. Employees of Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. and each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors and advertising, promotional or judging agencies and immediate family members or persons living in the same household of such employees are not eligible to win. All prizes are non-transferable. If any prize or any aspect thereof is unavailable for any reason, the Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to substitute another prize or cash of approximate equal value, as determined by Sponsor. No cash redemption or substitutions except by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor may require the winner to execute waiver and release documents with respect to any aspect of any prize. Failure to execute such documents will result in ineligibility and disqualification. Prizes will only be delivered to addresses within the Kansas City, MO metropolitan area. Void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Prize recipients will be solely responsible for paying all applicable federal, state and local taxes on prizes; if applicable, winner may receive an IRS Form 1099 for the retail value of the prize. All persons, by participating in this contest and submitting artwork, agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor and its authorized judging agencies (the “Judges”) whose decisions in all aspects of this promotion shall be final and binding.

5. WINNER NOTIFICATION/RELEASES: Potential Finalists will be notified by phone or mail within day of the selection. Finalists will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability Release with a publicity release within seven (7) days of the date on the notification letter. If (i) any required documents are not returned within seven (7) days, (ii) a telephone notification is not confirmed to sponsor within forty-eight hours or (iii) the mail is returned to Sponsor as undeliverable mail without a forwarding address, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Finalist may be selected from among all remaining entries. Grand Prize winner may also be required to sign and return additional prize-related documents before the prize will be awarded. All winners, by participation in the contest and acceptance of a prize, agree to release Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., and each of their parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, suppliers, distributors and advertising, promotional or judging agencies from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership or use of the prize or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to any prize-related activity. Except where prohibited by law, winners must consent to the use of their name, voice, picture or other likeness without compensation for promotional purposes as determined by Sponsor.

6. WINNERS’ LIST: For a list of the major prize winners, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope before February 28, 2008 to “Harrah’s Art Contest Winners” [Attn: Marketing Dept., Harrah’s Casino, 1 Riverboat Dr., Kansas City, MO 64116]

7. SPONSOR: Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino, 1 Riverboat Dr., Kansas City, MO 64116

FAQ

1. How will my submission be turned in to a 90′x90′ posting?
  - The Grand Prize Winner’s submission will be digitally photographed and replicated on a flat mesh vinyl measuring 90′x90′ without losing its original specifications and maintaining the integrity of the original art piece. 2. Who will be on the judging panel?
  - The judging panel will be composed of various individuals that are an integral part in the art community in Kansas City.

3. What are the judging criteria?
  - Each eligible entry will be judged based on attributes deemed to be relevant by the judges in their discretion, including but not limited to: creativity, adherence to the theme and the ability of the art, in the judges’ opinions, to adapt to the 90′x90′ final scale.

4. Why is the contest only open to local artists?
  - The intent of this contest is to encourage the revitalization of the Crossroads District and to promote local artists. In order to protect the integrity of the contest, all submissions must come from local artists who live in Kansas City and the surrounding areas.

Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-888-BETSOFF. Must be 21 or older to gamble or to obtain Total Rewards® card. ©2007, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.

The PIEA staff would like to meet with the Owners of the 31 Projects during the week of November 12 and has provided the following information.   PIEA staff would like to handle all of the Ehinger Estate projects in one day and limiting other days to 5 or so projects each day.   Please contact PIEA staff at (816) 474-2227 in order to schedule an appointment .�
We (PIEA staff) will the review information with them to make sure they understand.  We will have prepared the Paperwork, and will ask them to review and confirm legal descriptions and make sure they understand the process for processing and recording the Paperwork.  We will have prepared the DRAFT Development Agreement (”Agreement”) associated with each project the Owners have submitted and we will tailor each Agreement to the Owners’ proposal.  To do this, we will pull information from the proposal or otherwise ascertain from the Owens certain information that will become part of the Agreement which will be the CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE TAX ABATEMENT AND THE FREEZING OF PROPERTY VALUES ARE PREDICATED .  Specifically , we will:
A.      Establish a time frame for curing blight – In their Proposal, each Owner said they would spend money on their property to cure the blight.  We will establish a deadline in the Agreement for the completion of those improvements and provide alternatives in the contract in the event the work is not completed by that time ( i.e: “clawbacks” of benefits received by Owners; or renegotiation of contract terms; or other remedies and alternatives).
B.      Billboards - The Plan prohibits awarding tax abatements on properties containing Billboards.  There are remedies that will allow tax abatement to be awarded provided that Billboards are removed at the expiration of Contracts relating to the same or otherwise, within some other specified term.  If Billboards exist on any of the 31 Projects, the Owners will be asked to bring copies of any such contracts with them to the meeting.  Otherwise the PIEA will ask each party to assure them that no Billboards exist and if so, the Owners and the PIEA will come to agreement on provisions in the Agreement governing removal of Billboards.�
C.      The 51% Rule – the Agreement will clearly state that the tax abatement and the freezing of assessed values at 2006 levels is contingent upon continued certification by the Crossroads Arts Advisory Committee on an annual basis (COMMENCING ON OR BEFORE MAY 1, 2009 and every thereafter through the 10 year abatement/freeze period) that 51% or more of the property continues to be used for arts related purposes as specified in the plan.  If not, tax abatement will be terminated  and property will go on the tax rolls at the assessed value in affect at that time and be subject to future reassessment by the County Assessor.  THE PIEA WILL NOTIFY THE COUNTY ASSESSOR EACH YEAR ON MAY 1 OR BEFORE THEIR NOTICE OF ASSESSMENTS GOES OUT (GENERALLY MAY 30 TH OF EACH YEAR) OF ANY PROPERTIES THAT WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX ABATEMENT.�
D.      Establishment of the Affordable “Base Rent”  - The Plan specifically requires that the 31 Projects be deemed affordable and that a base rent be established.  To assure the continued affordability of these properties throughout the 10 year term that the assessed values are frozen on these 31 Projects, the Agreement will establish a “base rent” (rent including taxes but no other components ( i.e. not to include utilities, insurance, etc) and prohibit increases in the base rent during the term of the abatement/freeze.  This limitation will be imposed in a manner consistent with Missouri’s Landlord/Tenant laws (which allow for increases in rents in the event of default by the lessee/renter and under other circumstances) and consistent with  other civil or criminal proceedings or matters of contract between the lessor and lessee.  The base rent will be subject to the annual certification process by the Cross Roads Arts Advisory Committee and subject to audit by the PIEA. �
E.       Waiver of URD Zoning Requirements – Each project will be reviewed to determine if it meets the requirements for waiver of URD Zoning requirements (waver can be granted for projects that do not result in “…..new construction of a residential project of 5 or more units, but excluding any new residential units that are to be constructed within an existing building” or “…..any project that does not involve construction of new buildings greater than 10% or 1000 sq. ft. of the existing building (whichever is less)”.  There are a few other exceptions that will be reviewed with owners).  If it meets the requirements for waiver of URD zoning requirements, then THE PIEA WILL RECOMMEND TO THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT THAT THE URD ZONING REQUIREMENTS BE WAIVED.�
F.       Payment of PILOTS – the Agreement will specify the Owners responsibility for payment of PILOTS so that taxing jurisdictions are kept whole.  The Agreement will specify the amount of the payment and details about billing and collecting the PILOTS by the City or the County.
G.      Calculation and Payment to PIEA for “Plan Approval Fee” and “Tax Abatement Fee” – the PIEA will need to be reimbursed for the costs it incurred in advertising for Proposals for the 31 Projects ($734.20).  In addition, the PIEA will calculate its Plan Approval Fee (Per PIEA Resolution #450) and it’s “Tax Abatement Fee (Flat $500 for each of the 31 Project).  PIEA will provide Bob Long a copy of the PIEA Resolution #450 so that Owners can get a sense of how the fee is calculated and can get a sense of what their fee might be.   PIEA will discuss payment arrangements with individual Owners , if necessary.  PLAN APPROVAL FEES, ADVERTISING EXPENSES AND TAX ABATEMENT FEES MUST BE PAID OR ARRANGED TO BE PAID BEFORE PIEA WILL PROCESS THE PAPERWORK IMPLEMENTING THE ABATEMENT /FREEZING OF ASSESSED VALUES .
I hope this helps you prepare for the completion of this process.
Bob Long
Development Services Specialist
Economic Development Corporation
  of Kansas City, Missouri
1100 Walnut Street, Suite 1700
Kansas City, MO 64106
direct (816) 691-2104
fax (816) 691-2154
rlong@edckc.com
www.edckc.com