TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! KANSAS CITY POWER PLAYER MIKE BURKE STRIKES BACK AGAINST DOWNTOWN CONVENTION HOTEL PETITIONERS!!!



The politics of Kansas City development and taxpayer subsidy have once against EXPLODED into a public war of words.

To wit, TKC is here to report the most recent barrage FIRST . . .

THE LATEST STATEMENT FROM MIKE BURKE BLASTS OPPONENTS OF THE DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY CONVENTION HOTEL!!!

The behind the scenes on this is also noteworthy . . . Anybody who knows Mike Burke realizes that he's a very patient, calm and thoughtful businessman so a media blast like this one is not only rare but somewhat unprecedented.

Much more to the point than the Visit KC guy and his shill work . . . Here's the word DIRECTLY from the source. Checkit:

Statement Regarding Challenge to Zoning Ordinance of Kansas City Convention Center Hotel Project

The following statement is from Mike Burke, on behalf of KC Hotel Developers, LLC



“This is another example of an isolated group of individuals trying to block the tremendous momentum Kansas City is experiencing to move us forward to become a world-class city.

They represent no one but themselves as they continually seek publicity for themselves regardless of the damage it does to the community. When attempts like this to impede on our momentum come forth, it is important to remember the facts:

The ordinance approves the zoning plan for the hotel and was passed by an 11-0 vote of the City Council. No citizen spoke in opposition to the plan either at the Plan Commission or City Council. The project is close to finishing its construction pricing and financing goals and has fully performed under its agreements with the City.

There will be no city guarantee of any project financing and no General Fund obligation. Taxpayers will not be responsible for any project cost overruns or revenue shortfalls.

Public funds for the project will come from the already-existing convention and tourism tax – those are out-of-town dollars – as well as taxes generated by the new convention hotel’s operations. The balance of the project cost is financed by hotel operating revenues and private equity.

The deliverable for the city’s investment – a $310 million convention headquarters hotel with 800 rooms – will generate additional economic activity and jobs for neighboring properties downtown and for the entire metro area, further enhancing return on the city’s investment. It is important to remember that there has been no new convention hotel built since 1985 – 32 years ago.

The conventions slated to come to Kansas City once this hotel is built will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars for our city. And, this project will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars of private investment to our city. Those are powerful and meaningful numbers.



It is estimated that the project will bring 350 full-time-equivalent jobs, plus additional employment in other Kansas City-area businesses serving the convention business. The project will require 1,500 construction workers, including 600 workers at peak construction and an average of 400 workers during the course of construction.

And, it’s important to remember the needs we have as a city just to keep in step with our peer cities. This hotel will provide much needed convention and meeting space; retail, restaurant, bar and lounge space; recreational space; and approximately 450 parking spaces.

The hotel will be a short walk from the Power & Light District, Sprint Center and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A covered bridge will seamlessly connect the hotel lobby to Bartle Hall and the Convention Center. A convention headquarters hotel is the missing factor to restoring Kansas City’s convention competitiveness.

Even the State of Missouri has shown its support of downtown Kansas City this week, with the state senate’s approval of financing a new UMKC Conservatory Downtown Arts Campus. The momentum is real, and this Conventional Hotel project is sound.

This group in opposition of this imperative project has a track record of misrepresenting the public’s interests. Whether it is gutting our police, fire and ambulance services, or opposing badly needed infrastructure improvements, this group is underestimating this city’s trust in our Mayor, our City Council and city management to act in the best interests of the entire community and the future of our great city. A new downtown convention hotel is the lynch pin to complete the renaissance of downtown.”
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And so, the fight against the future continues amid a great deal of Kansas City money already invested and now part of an intense debate over the fate Downtown . . .



Developing . . .

Comments

  1. A warning shot?

    This hotel thing is going to get serious. Almost as many tense feelings over this one as the airport.

    I'm only wonder about other projects. It's hard to believe that with so much progress that the Mayor always touts that another company wouldn't be interested in doing business in KC.

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    1. You mean because of those 25 million tourists, right?

      Think about this: Mike Burke is entitled to fight for his investment, the Citizens for Responsible Government are just doing what they think is right and want to see it put to a public vote.

      The only guy who comes off like a grocery store clerk in this situation is Ronnie Burt who is just doing errands and tap dancing for his bosses.He should let the grown ups talk.

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  2. the new hotel is one part of the critical mass needed for an urban kansas city to succeed.

    build it!

    with the new umkc arts campus, downtown will have in place what's needed for a great urban area.

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    1. The new hotel is part of the ridiculous grifter clown show of KC 'government'!

      With the completely irresponsible emphasis on eco devo vs. crime and infrastructure solutions, we will have in place what's needed for a load of non-revenue generating toys and attractions for mythical tourists while our crumbling streets run with blood!

      Go KC!!!!

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  3. Some real power moves going on here. An $800M blank check, a hotel, another three miles of streetcar, and a new airport.

    Mike Burke calls this an investment in Kansas City becoming a world class city, but the safety of our citizens is low on the priority list at city hall and our leaders have raised taxes and fees and utility costs exponentially over the past decade while gigantic tax breaks have gone to the corporations.

    I am a strong supporter of capitalism but KC's Renaissance is crony capitalism at it's worst.

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  4. Is that 350 minimum wage jobs, you know the ones that will help carry the loads of money sly and Troy will make,

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  5. I see Tony and his 4 followers all took their "loser" pills this morning.

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    Replies
    1. I see the City Hall shoeshine patrol is back at it. Make Sly's shoes look like mirrors, lackey, then come talk about losers some more. :)

      Delete
  6. Who's misrepresenting who, you blame the citizens for trying to stop corporate welfare, man, you guys are desperate. I thought the constitution allowed for free speech that the mayor and his bullhorn said we had

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  7. Will this hotel hold 24,000,000 visitors we get every year! LMAO!!!!

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  8. Dan Coffey is the biggest gadfly Kansas City has seen in the last 40 years. KCMO needs to amend its rules to make it much more difficult to get something on the ballot. Currently, all it takes is 3,400 signatures. KCMO blows a bunch of extra money on elections because douchebags like Coffey have nothing better to do than oppose projects that would benefit Kansas City.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, absolutely. The rules need to change so those pain in the ass citizens don't get in the way of our huge payday!! Who do they think they are??

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  9. @4:38pm
    The reason that so few signatures are needed on a petition is that the number is based on a percentage of voters in the last mayoral election and in KCMO fewer and fewer residents bother to vote.
    And the reason they don't vote is because they've seen, over and over again for decades, how the insiders and deal-makers run KCMO government for their financial benefit and the taxpaying residents get lied to, ignored, and screwed.
    The fixed streetcar votes, endless subsidy of wealthy out-of-town corporations, and this hotel scam are just the latest in a long long line of crap sold to residents by people like Glorioso and company.
    Changing the petition rules just makes it easier for the scams to continue and it would be good to remember that future electeds with priorities that you may not like at all will have the same wild west rules to play by.
    Then, like hypocrites everywhere, you can rail against that same system as unfair.
    Where you stand depends on where you sit.

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  10. Mike Burke can eat Byrons shorts for all I care and hope he chokes on them. Makes you wonder who is paying him off to be so verbal.

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  11. How dare anyone question the developers!!! Mike wants to remind you silly concerned citizens who REALLY runs this town. Thanks Mike!:)

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  12. The existing Hotels Downtown Are barely making it it takes a lot of cash and credit to keep a hotels going not enough tourist and conventions to go around

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  13. By the time the hotel is built the travel economy will tank The travel to kc was just a fad The U.S.A.WILL HAVE ANOTHER HOT SPOT TO VISIT THE THRILL WILL BE GONE

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  14. This deal is put together with bailing wire and duct tape.

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    Replies
    1. You're being too kind. It sounds like backroom corruption to me.

      Delete

  15. Mike Burke's history is of development deals that take advantage of the taxpayers. Along with crooked political campaigns that accuse others of dirty deals. This hotel will be a disaster, as was the Vista Convention Hotel.
    Hotel companies should build hotels, not lawyers and political consultants.
    Glorioso worked for Burke against Sly in 2011. Then Sly was foolish enough to hire him. Some day all the lies and deception will catch-up to this gang of thieves. Meanwhile, Killa City crime increases and spreads thru the metro area. When the corrupt are in leadership the people suffer.

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  16. Mike Burke hit you guys hard, basically called your bluff.

    He used to own a law firm and now he's going to have the biggest hotel in KC. Not the guy I would want to start a fight with. Be careful Tony.

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  17. 7:08 We're scared can you tell me where the safe place is with the unicorn crappachinos! LOL

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  18. Weez need to catch up wit our peer citys!

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  19. Kc needs a convention hotel. This deal needs to get done already. Let's stop fighting and start building.

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  20. MIKE BURKE IS EXPERIENCING PSYCHOSIS

    "The following statement is from Mike Burke, on behalf of KC Hotel Developers, LLC"
    MIKE BURKE IS KC HOTEL DEVELOPERS! HE PERSONALLY STANDS TO MAKE A BOATLOAD OF MONEY (GOLDEN PARACHUTE) IF HE CAN DRAG THIS THING ACROSS THE GOAL LINE.

    "This is another example of an isolated group of individuals trying to block the tremendous momentum Kansas City is experiencing to move us forward to become a world-class city."
    BULLSHIT! IN FACT, MIKE BURKE IS PART OF AN ISOLATED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO MILK KCMO TAXPAYERS FOR THEIR PERSONAL BENEFIT. COMMONSENSE TELLS ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION THAT IF THIS HOTEL PROJECT MADE ECONOMIC SENSE, PRIVATE INVESTORS WOULD BE SCRAMBLING TO INVEST.

    "They represent no one but themselves as they continually seek publicity for themselves regardless of the damage it does to the community."
    EXACTLY! IN REFERENCE TO MIKE BURKE'S GROUP.

    "It is important to remember that there has been no new convention hotel built since 1985 – 32 years ago."
    YES, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND! THE QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS WHY? THE ANSWER IS BECAUSE BUSINESS INVESTORS WITH MONEY HAVE DEEMED IT A LOSING PROPOSITION.

    "The conventions slated to come to Kansas City once this hotel is built will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars for our city. And, this project will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars of private investment to our city."
    PARDON ME, BUT THAT IS MORE PIE-IN-THE-SKY BULLSHIT! PURE FICTIONAL SPECULATION.

    "It is estimated that the project will bring 350 full-time-equivalent jobs"
    ESTIMATED? YOU MEAN YOU'RE SPECULATING AGAIN. A HOTEL GENERAL MANAGER, AND DEPARTMENT HEADS WOULD LIKELY MAKE DECENT SALARIES, BUT EVERYONE ELSE WOULD BE SCRAPING BY ON LOW WAGES.

    "And, it’s important to remember the needs we have as a city just to keep in step with our peer cities."
    MORE BULLSHIT YET AGAIN! THIS TACTIC, BORROWED FROM THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY, ATTEMPTS TO SHAME THE CONSUMER INTO "KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES."

    "The hotel will be a short walk from the Power & Light District, Sprint Center and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts."
    QUITE REVEALING THAT BURKE PLACES THE HOTEL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY AS POWER AND LIGHT AND SPRINT CENTER! P AND L HAS BEEN A COMPLETE TAXPAYER BOONDOGGLE, WHILE THE SPRINT CENTER WAS SOLD WITH FALSE PROMISES!

    "this imperative project"
    SOMEBODY IS FULL OF THEMSELVES! AN "IMPERATIVE" PROJECT WOULD BE GETTING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A HEART ATTACK. RAPING THE TAXPAYERS, THE SCHOOLS, THE LIBRARIES, THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS CAN NEVER BE CONSIDERED AN IMPERATIVE PROJECT.

    "A new downtown convention hotel is the lynch pin to complete the renaissance of downtown."
    OK, THIS ONE MADE ME LAUGH! "LYNCH" PIN? BECAUSE YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT A NOOSE AROUND THE TAXPAYERS NECK? FREUDIAN SLIP, ANYONE?

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  21. It's a freaking city! If you don't like new, growth, commerce, energy, development, then move to Topeka. It's embarrassing KC can't even get a hotel built. Who are these no growth idiots?
    .

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  22. Ok, Mike, if you're so sure that cfrg has underestimated the public's confidence in this endeavor, then you won't mind it going to a vote, right? Because if they're so confident, then it'll surely pass, right? So what's the problem? Answer: This is all smoke and mirrors, and Mike's not confident the public is behind this.

    ReplyDelete

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