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Merriam council approves funding agreement to study incentives for Antioch–Shawnee Mission development
Summary
The City Council voted 6-0 to accept a funding agreement with Slater Investors, LLC, and to receive a $30,000 retainer to pay consultants to evaluate possible TIF or CID incentives for development at the northwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch.
The Merriam City Council voted 6-0 to approve a funding agreement with Slater Investors, LLC, to pay consultants to evaluate potential public incentives for a proposed project at the northwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch.
The agreement, presented by city staff, requires a $30,000 retainer from the developer to cover outside legal and professional costs while the city studies the viability of tax-increment financing (TIF), a community improvement district (CID) or other public–private partnership structures. City staff and the motion clarified the agreement does not obligate the city to provide incentives; it only funds the consultant review and protects taxpayers from paying those costs directly.
City Administrator Brian Engel summarized the proposal and said the developer’s concept includes a residential tower on the west block and a roughly 12,500-square-foot grocery store and roughly 4,000 square feet of restaurant space on the east block. The motion to approve the funding agreement was made by Council Member Hans and seconded; the vote was recorded as Hans, Lehi, Reiter, Silvers, Yodrich and Chabetta voting “aye.” The motion passed 6-0.
Scott Miller of Drake Development, identified in the meeting as present, was in the audience while staff described the concept. Engel said the agreement includes provisions for how additional consultant funds would be requested and how unused funds would be refunded to the developer, and he emphasized the agreement itself does not commit the city to granting incentives.
Why it matters: City staff said incentives are likely needed for the proposed development to proceed; the funding agreement begins the formal study required by city policy before any incentives can be offered. The consultant review will determine whether tools such as TIF or a CID would be viable for the project and, if so, what terms might be appropriate.
Next steps: Staff will use the retainer to retain consultants to vet financing options and return with findings and any formal incentive proposals for council consideration. No incentives were approved as part of this vote.
Votes at a glance: Funding agreement with Slater Investors, LLC — approved 6-0.
