The super-sized travel center Buc-ee's has just one more hurdle to clear before it can break ground on what will be the Texas chain's first Kansas City area location.
On Monday, the Economic Development and Finance Committee of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, unanimously recommended the approval of a development agreement that would see a Buc-ee's built near the Kansas Speedway at 601 Village West Parkway.
The committee voted to fast-track the process, which will put the matter to a vote of the UG Board of Commissioners on Thursday. If the commission approves, Buc-ee's intends to start construction in May and complete the project within two years, possibly sooner.
Core to the plan is a rezoning request that would change the land's status from an agriculture district to a commercial district. The land is currently owned by the Kansas Speedway, which would sell it to Buc-ee's if the commissioners approve the development agreement Thursday.
Other takeaways from Monday's meeting:
▪ Buc-ee's is asking for $13.3 million in tax incentives for what is estimated to be a $95 million project.
That will include the creation of a community improvement district that will collect a 1% sales tax on purchases made at Buc-ee's and a tax increment financing district that will reroute half of the city sales tax and a quarter of the county sales tax back to Buc-ee's to pay for construction expenses.
The TIF would reimburse Buc-ee's up to $3.3 million over 15 years, and the CID would generate up to $10 million over 20 years.
▪ Proceeds from the tax incentives will be used to pay for infrastructure improvements in the area, including $6.3 million for road improvements on Village West Parkway, $700,000 to move a water line, $4.1 million for electrical relocation, and $1.6 million for improvements to the Interstate 70 interchange.
▪ Stan Beard, director of real estate and development for Buc-ee's, told the committee that the travel center will be one of Buc-ee's largest stores in the country, with 120 gas pumps, 12 electric charging stations and a 74,000-square-foot imprint.
▪ Beard also said Buc-ee's expects to hire 200 full-time employees. Average starting pay is between $17 and $20 per hour and includes health benefits, participation in a 401(k) program, and three weeks' time off per year.
▪ Pat Warren, president of the Kansas Speedway, said his organization signed a contract with Buc-ee's in June 2023 after two years of negotiations. He said the travel center is expected to see 4 million visitors annually, with 70% coming from out of state.