The Emporia City Commission gave their approval for two separate items with major positive impacts to the local community during their action session Wednesday evening.
The first item saw commissioners approve the establishment of a Land Bank in the city of Emporia. The Land Bank will be comprised of the Community Housing Board and will serve as an independent quasi-governmental entity.
The Land Bank will have the ability to acquire property, either through donation or purchase, as well as sell or dispose of city-owned distressed property. Conversations on the Land Bank have been ongoing for over the past year and City Commissioner Rob Gilligan explains the lengthy discussions were to ensure the commission had all of their ducks in a row.
The Land Bank will become an official entity upon the signature of Emporia Mayor Jon Geitz according to Gilligan.
The second item to which commissioners granted approval was to an incentive and compliance agreement with Glendo LLC. KVOE News recently reported Glendo is planning a new $4 million expansion of their manufacturing and classroom facilities.
Not only will this increase Glendo’s footprint in the community but it will also see the facilities expanded by 40,000 square feet and create six new full-time positions. As per the agreement, Glendo will receive a 10-year tax abatement from the city.
Gilligan says providing Glendo with the abatement is a great investment he believes will be returned in kind.
According to Gilligan, Glendo plans to begin breaking ground on the project later this spring.
In other business, commissioners approved an amendment to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program interlocal agreement as well as an ordinance for Radius Brewing Co. for a beer garden at the 2019 Glass Blown Open kickoff. A bid was also awarded for the 2019 Slurry Seal project and approval was granted for the 2019 Kansas Parks and Wildlife Parks and Tourism annual operations and maintenance agreement.
One executive session also took place, no action was taken.
The Emporia City Commission will next meet Wednesday, March 27 at 10 am inside city conference room 1AB at White Auditorium.
