A pair of land matters gained unanimous approval amongst other items during the Emporia City Commission’s regular action and study meetings Wednesday.
As part of their action agenda, commissioners approved a minor platt for a retail addition through JTS Investments at 1002 East 12th Avenue the location of Mr. Goodcents. Plans are to split he 2.6-acre property into three lots with lot two set to house a new retail store that will be owned and managed by JTS.
The addition will mean the removal of the batting cages and go-kart track on the property. The decision to remove those amenities has been met with some criticism from local residents.
City Manager Trey Cocking says he understands those concerns, however, that decision is the landowner’s to make.
Details on exactly what type of retail outlet will be going into the area has yet to be announced.
In other business commissioners approved the issuance of $14 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds for S&S Quality Meats LLC following a brief public hearing. On a separate, yet related note, following an executive session commissioners approved awarding a more than $822,000 bid to L Underwood LLC to handle the demolition of the former Fannestil Meats location on Kansas Highway 99.
The land will now be converted into green space per the requirements of a FEMA grant that is funding 75 percent of the project. The other portion of the project’s cost will be covered by S&S Quality Meats.
Once the building is demolished, Cocking says the city is somewhat limited as to what it can do with the land in the future.
Cocking tells KVOE News the demolition process should begin in the next 20 days and be complete by the end of the summer.
During their regular study session, commissioners reviewed a number of appropriation requests from outside agencies for the 2024 budget cycle. Following a lengthy discussion period, commissioners chose to approve the following appropriations:
*$40,000 for Dynamic Discs
*$195,000 for Emporia Main Street
*$85,000 for Corner House
*$20,000 for Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness
*$7,200 ESU Drug Prevention Program
*$15,000 for Lifetime Unbound
*$15,000 for the Emporia Municipal Band
*$7,500 for William Allen White Community
$20,000 for Kansas Free For Arts
*$94,000 for the Emporia Recreation Commission
Commissioners chose to table the following requests to allow for further discussion and consideration at a later time.
*ESU – $400,000 – TABLED
*Emporia Arts Council – $30,000
*Granada Theatre – $30,000
*Emporia Area Chamber and Visit Emporia – $462,000 TABLED
*Emporia Enterprises – $35,000 – TABLED
*Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas – $400,000
The Emporia City Commission will next convene on Wednesday, June 21 at 11 am inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
