FABMAN
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Thursday, Nov 3, 2011
Posted on Wed, Nov. 02, 2011
KC may buy drag strip for new park
By LYNN HORSLEY The Kansas City Star
Kansas City has taken a preliminary step toward buying the Kansas City International Drag Strip in the Little Blue Valley so it can be converted into a park.
The city council’s Planning and Zoning Committee today authorized the park board to purchase the 93-acre property at 82nd Street and Noland Road from NP3 Racing LLC for an undisclosed price. The measure goes to the full Council Thursday for approval.
“It has been a long time coming,” 5th District at-large Councilwoman Cindy Circo said, noting that neighborhoods in her East Kansas City district have tried for years to acquire the property for a regional park. She said the owners finally reduced the price to a point where the city could afford it.
“It was a priority, and there was money available for it,” Circo said.
Assistant City Attorney Ted Anderson said the price won’t be disclosed until late this month, after the deal closes. He said the money will come from a parks development fund and from public improvement sales tax dollars available for the 5th Council District.
A city fact sheet supporting the purchase said that, over time, a 90-acre “sea of asphalt” will be replaced with grass and pervious surfaces that should reduce flooding and increase water quality.
Dan Porrevecchio, past president of the Little Blue Valley Homes Association, said his neighborhood group had been trying for a long time to relocate the racetrack, which was noisy. He said the new city park will be adjacent to the county’s Little Blue Trace Park and will become part of a regional park complex that can feature softball and soccer fields and trails.
“It’s a boon to the Little Blue Valley, for the peaceful environment of the homeowners in the area,” Porrevecchio said, adding that it could be the linchpin for more residential development.
Porrevecchio said the community is also working with the racetrack’s owners to find a larger, better and more accessible venue within the city for the drag racing operations.
Posted on Wed, Nov. 02, 2011
KC may buy drag strip for new park
By LYNN HORSLEY The Kansas City Star
Kansas City has taken a preliminary step toward buying the Kansas City International Drag Strip in the Little Blue Valley so it can be converted into a park.
The city council’s Planning and Zoning Committee today authorized the park board to purchase the 93-acre property at 82nd Street and Noland Road from NP3 Racing LLC for an undisclosed price. The measure goes to the full Council Thursday for approval.
“It has been a long time coming,” 5th District at-large Councilwoman Cindy Circo said, noting that neighborhoods in her East Kansas City district have tried for years to acquire the property for a regional park. She said the owners finally reduced the price to a point where the city could afford it.
“It was a priority, and there was money available for it,” Circo said.
Assistant City Attorney Ted Anderson said the price won’t be disclosed until late this month, after the deal closes. He said the money will come from a parks development fund and from public improvement sales tax dollars available for the 5th Council District.
A city fact sheet supporting the purchase said that, over time, a 90-acre “sea of asphalt” will be replaced with grass and pervious surfaces that should reduce flooding and increase water quality.
Dan Porrevecchio, past president of the Little Blue Valley Homes Association, said his neighborhood group had been trying for a long time to relocate the racetrack, which was noisy. He said the new city park will be adjacent to the county’s Little Blue Trace Park and will become part of a regional park complex that can feature softball and soccer fields and trails.
“It’s a boon to the Little Blue Valley, for the peaceful environment of the homeowners in the area,” Porrevecchio said, adding that it could be the linchpin for more residential development.
Porrevecchio said the community is also working with the racetrack’s owners to find a larger, better and more accessible venue within the city for the drag racing operations.
