Shawnee and the QuikTrip Corporation should share the costs of installing a traffic signal and turn lanes at West 83rd Street and Hedge Lane Terrace near a new gas station, the city council has decided.
Councilmembers this week unanimously approved a resolution of intent to use a “hybrid” funding agreement in anticipation of high traffic volume at a future QuikTrip at the northwest corner of that intersection.
New QuikTrip planned just west of K-7
- The company this fall got approval for about a 5,000-square-foot store at that intersection, which is close to Kansas Highway 7.
- The 7.7-acre development at 8278 Hedge Lane Terrace also includes eight gas pumps.
Improvements to cost no more than $1.36M
- Normally the money for traffic improvements would come either from city funds or from a special benefit district, in which property owners who directly benefit would pay, but in this case, the city proposed a combination of those two funding vehicles.
- The maximum $1.36 million cost includes the issuing of bonds.
Each side pays a share of the cost
- Under the cost-sharing deal, the city would pay about 20% of the benefit district assessment and would also offer a sales tax exemption for construction related materials.
- The sales tax exemption would result in a savings of $300,000 to QuikTrip.
- Added to the $325,000 from the city’s share of the benefit district, the corporation would be able to save about 46% of the maximum cost.
- To prevent delays that come with the city bidding process, QuikTrip would temporarily finance and start the construction.
Councilmember suggested looking for other stores in future
- Councilmembers generally accepted the concept during a discussion at Monday’s meeting.
- Councilmember Kurt Knappen said, “I am in favor of this because QuikTrip is paying for a (traffic) light that we need. I’m amazed at how much putting up a stoplight is.”
- At the same time, Councilmember Tony Gillette suggested that the city consider diversifying its convenience store brands.
- “It would behoove us maybe to look at independents or another brand,” he said, so Shawnee can avoid being, “99% QuikTrip in this town. If they ever pull the plug, what do we do?”
- However the city does not actively recruit convenience stores, he was told. In this case, QuikTrip came to Shawnee with a proposal.
Roxie Hammill is a freelance journalist who reports frequently for the Post and other Kansas City area publications. You can reach her at roxieham@gmail.com.
