Super-sized travel center Buc-ee’s has one more hurdle to clear before it can break ground on what will be the Texas City chain’s first location in Kansas City.
On Monday, the Economic Development and Finance Committee of the Joint Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, unanimously recommended approval of a development agreement that would see a Buc-ee’s built near the Kansas Speedway at 601 Village West Parkway.
The committee has decided to speed up the process, so the issue will be submitted to the RUG Supervisory Board for a vote on Thursday. If the commission approves, Buc-ee’s plans to start construction in May and complete the project within two years, possibly sooner.
At the heart of the plan is a rezoning request that would change the land’s status from an agricultural district to a commercial district. The land is currently owned by Kansas Speedway, which would sell it to Buc-ee’s if commissioners approve the development agreement Thursday.
Other conclusions from Monday’s meeting:
▪ Buc-ee’s is asking for $13.3 million in tax credits for what is estimated to be a $95 million project.
That includes 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 direct half of city sales taxes and a quarter of county sales taxes back to Buc-ee’s to defray construction costs to pay.
The TIF would reimburse the Buc-ees up to $3.3 million over 15 years, and the CID would generate up to $10 million over 20 years.
▪ Proceeds from the tax credits 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 relocate a water line, $4.1 million for electric relocation and $1 .6 million for improvements to Interstate 70. exchange.
▪ 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 70,000 square feet of retail space. print.
▪ Beard also said Buc-ee’s expects to hire 200 full-time employees. The average starting salary is between $17 and $20 per hour and includes health benefits, participation in a 401(k) program and three weeks of time off per year.
▪ Pat Warren, president of 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 attract 4 million visitors annually, 70% of whom come from out of state.
“This is a phenomenal opportunity for Wyandotte County and Village West,” Warren said.
▪ Buc-ee’s, which enjoys a cult following in parts of the country, had at least one fan on the committee. Commissioner Phil Lopez said he visited the Buc-ee’s in Sevierville, Tennessee.
“I was able to buy hunting supplies there,” Lopez told Beard. “It was the cleanest place I had ever seen. By the way, I have a few T-shirts from Buc-ee.’
Bucee’s opened its first Missouri location in Springfield in December. Founded in Clute, Texas, in 1982, the chain now has more than 50 stores nationwide.
