TKC SUNDAY SPECIAL!!! BEHIND THE SCENES OF CROSSROADS TIF FIGHT, KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTERS REVEAL OTHERWISE COZY RELATIONSHIP BETWIXT BNIM DEVELOPERS AND KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!!

TKC NOTE . . .

While we respect protestations against luxury TIF in the Crossroads, it's important to look at all of the conflicts that exist in this discussion along with the realization that talk about developers taking from schools is far more complex when considering some of their past dealings with each other.

To wit . . .

WHILE THE CURRENT CROSSROADS TIF FIGHT BETWIXT BNIM AND KCPS MAKES SENSE . . . TKC TIPSTERS TELL US NOT TO FORGET THE MANY TIMES BOTH INSTITUTIONS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON REAL ESTATE DEALS!!!

Take a look and some very detailed citizen media reporting from out blog community:

"There's a "bigger" story than the Crossroads TIF

"KCPS had been selling Berkebile its most prominent schools for several years for roughly 10-cents on the dollar. Adding insult to injury, KCPS (seemingly) postpones closings in order to help Berkebile avoid paying taxes that support KCPS students!

"The "help" afforded Bobby "B" amounted to over $300,000 in loss tax revenue in just 2014 alone. Had Berkebile not won a reduction from the Board of Equalization, KCPS could have collected its share on $6.8 million instead of $2.6 (see actual property docs below ). Look for Berkebile and partners to continue strong push for Toy Train down Main -- 1 block from the 2 schools he's calling "Westport Commons""

Here's the word . . .

Snaring Gnats and Letting Camels Pass Through

KCPS's protest is all show. The Crossroads deal is small potatoes compared to the backroom deals the district has cut with Berkebile (the "B" in BNIM). KCPS has sold ts most PROMINENT school buildings to BERKEBILE. Here's the most recent:

1) Westport Middle School appraised at $6.8 Million -- KCPS sold to one of Berkebile's several LLCs for just $750,000!!! The ONLY thing Berkebile has done there is get the property tax assessment reduced some 60% by the Board of Equalization. KCPS didn't protest and Berkebile hasn't paid a dime in taxes on the property because the district let him close 3 months after the purchase, in January 2014, in order to avoid 2014 property taxes and the Levy, too!! Loss in taxes for just 2014 (after the devaluation) -- over $300,000

2) Westport High School appraised at $7.9 million -- sold to another of Berkebile's LLCs for a mere $1.2 million!! The paperwork is signed, but no closing planned until after January 1. Certain "instrumental" folks* at KCPS like to help Bobby "B" skip out on paying a full year of property taxes.

That's over 13 acres with 2 major improvements in Midtown for just $2 million!!!

* One of Berkebile's biggest supporters was his employee and KCPS board member Gunnar Hand -- whose wife, Ashley Hand worked in the Mayor's office and who blatantly lobbied home associations on behalf of Berkebile's efforts to buy Westport High. Gunnar was hired by Berkebile in June of 2012 -- very convenient when the board decided to "invite" Berkebile to bid against Foutch Bros for Westport High School in summer of 2014.


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And so, the narrative which pits schools against developers in an upcoming vote against Crossroads TIF makes sense but the fact is that the only party who consistently stays losing amid so many sketchy real estate transactions from BOTH of these groups are the taxpayers.

Developing . . .