The City of Emporia has officially entered into an agreement to move a major development, poised to bring a nationally recognized compnay to the city, forward.
During their recent action session Wednesday, the commission unanimously approved signing a development agreement for the Flint Hills Crossing development, the project poised to bring Quik Trip to Emporia as part of the Debauge Kreuger tract located west of the Flint Hills Technical College main campus. The agreement outlines the city’s responsibilities in the development project.
According to the agreement, the city’s and developer will equally split the cost of building a new street and various utility work necessary to help move the project forward.
Mayor Rob Gilligan says a date for when construction could begin is still unknown at this time. Gilligan says this opportunity could provide numerous benefits to the community.
Gilligan says adding QT to the local community could bring several economic impacts including additional traffic through Emporia, with its location next to a major highway, as well as additional employment opportunities. The total cost of the project is just over $2 million.
In other business, commissioners voted 4-1 Wednesday to approve an ordinance that would allow for a common consumption area in downtown Emporia on a trial basis. The CCA is a two block area from Sixth Ave. to Eighth Ave. between Merchant and Commercial — that will allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the designated area.
Licensed drinking establishments adjacent to the CCA can apply to the state to participate in the CCA allowing patrons to remove alcoholic beverages from the establishment to the CCA.
Commissioner Becky Smith voted against establishing the CCA, not because she disagrees with having it in Emporia, but because of some unresolved questions and concerns she has about the CCA itself.
Gilligan, Jon Geitz, Danny Giefer and Susan Brinkman all voted in favor of the ordinance. Geitz says he saw no reason to move forward with the CCA given it is on a trial basis.
The commission’s action Wednesday does not immediately establish the CCA. Visit Emporia, the entity which requested the ordinance, will now have to apply to the Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control before it can officially establish the area in Emporia.
If approved, the CCA will be in effect until Dec. 31 of this year.
Separately, commissioners also approved an agreement with Evergy for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station that will be located at 1005 Mechanic Street east of the former Family Video building. According to the agreement, there would be no cost to the city for installation of the station and it would be available on a first-come basis and would cost 21 cents an hour for vehicle owners.
The new station is expected to be fully installed before the end of the calendar year.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for a study session next Wednesday at 10 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
