Kansas City Council Expected To Approve Union Station Tax Credit Plan

By Steve Vockrodt

The Kansas City Council is expected to approve on Thursday an application for state tax credits to support improvements to Union Station.

On Wednesday, the Kansas City Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee passed a resolution authorizing the city to seek tax credits on Union Station’s behalf from the Missouri Development Finance Board.

Although resolution language introduced Nov. 1 initially said that as much as $10 million in tax credits could be sought, Union Station officials are seeking $5 million in MDFB tax credits for an estimated $10.7 million project.

Among the Union Station improvements is $4.7 million toward adding and enhancing science exhibits that are geared toward middle school and high school students.

Among those are a new Regnier Family 3D Digital Theater for school groups to watch three-dimensional educational films and businesses to stage conference presentations.

The theater is named after Bob Regnier, current Union Station board chairman and CEO of Blue Valley Ban Corp.

“By supporting the expansion of exhibits and new programs in our science center, Union Station maintains its core mission of offering ongoing, improved and engaging science education to students throughout the area,” Regnier said in a written statement. “This type of education is critical for our region because so many employers depend on employees with strong science, technology and mathematical skills.”

An additional $4 million would go to improve accessibility by visitors to the nearly century-old landmark building, including a bridge link between the parking garage and Union Station.

About $2 million would go toward an endowment for maintenance and upkeep.

“Because Union Station is in a solid financial position, we are excited about the possibility to take advantage of this existing economic development program available through the state of Missouri to take this improvement plan forward,” former Union Station Chairman Michael Haverty said at Wednesday’s committee hearing.