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Shawnee council approves Midland Entertainment District TIF after finding six blight criteria
Summary
The City of Shawnee approved creation of the Midland Entertainment District tax increment finance (TIF) district on May 11 after city staff identified six of nine blight criteria; the council heard public comment and approved the measure unanimously, with further project approvals to follow the city's standard review process.
The City of Shawnee council on May 11 approved creation of the Midland Entertainment District tax increment finance (TIF) district after city staff reported the area met six of nine statutory blight criteria.
City Manager Paul Kramer presented the proposal to the council. According to the council wrap-up, the city identified the following criteria as present in the district: predominance of defective or inadequate street layout; unsanitary or unsafe conditions; deterioration of site improvements; improper subdivision or obsolete planning or land uses; existence of conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other causes; and economic obsolescence. Kramer also clarified that any development proposed within the district would still be required to go through the city’s established review and approval processes.
The council heard public comment on the TIF before voting. The wrap-up recording states the council approved creation of the Midland Entertainment District unanimously; the recording does not list a roll-call tally or the mover and seconder for the motion. The wrap-up characterizes the approval as final authorization to form the district, not as automatic approval of any specific development.
Why this matters: a TIF district allows the city to direct future incremental property-tax revenues from development in the district toward public improvements or project financing in that area rather than to the general tax base. That can change how projects are funded and the timeline for private development.
Next steps: according to the presentation summary, individual projects in the new district will be subject to the city’s standard permitting and review procedures before construction can proceed. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at 6 p.m.; the budget process will separately consider requests from outside organizations for 2027 funding.
