Gardner's Planning Commission voted Monday, Aug. 24, to recommend approval of the Velocity Arts district, a $1.5 billion mixed-use entertainment and education complex proposed for 335 acres along Interstate 35 at 175th Street. The Gardner City Council will now take up the project for a final vote on Sept. 21.
The recommendation came with conditions. The project still needs reviews and approvals from the Johnson County Airport Commission and the Johnson County Board of Commissioners, according to KCTV5.
The commission also approved rezoning more than 200 acres of agricultural land to an Activity Center Planned District, Fox 4 reported.
The Aug. 24 meeting drew a sizable crowd. Residents raised concerns about the project's anticipated electricity and water consumption, traffic impacts and whether city and county officials are coordinating adequately. Velocity Arts officials said they are working with WaterOne and Evergy to address infrastructure questions.
Gardner resident Andrea Brammell spoke in support of the project, telling officials it would "connect Gardner to Olathe, to the Kansas City metro" and warning that without approval, "more warehouses are going to build up a wall."
What the project includes
The master plan calls for a 15,000-seat indoor concert pavilion, a performing arts center, an esports arena and a media-focused college offering hands-on entertainment and digital production training. Convention facilities, retail, restaurants, a lagoon, vacation villas, apartments and student housing round out the proposal.
Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous designed the district. McCownGordon is leading construction, with civil engineering from Kimley-Horn.
Developer's pitch
Velocity Arts CEO Josh Shibler cited Gardner's rapid population growth and the chance to expand the city's commercial tax base as reasons for choosing the site.
"We're not simply building another entertainment venue. We're creating a district where people can attend a concert, take a class, spend a weekend, meet with colleagues, discover local businesses and return for a completely different experience," Shibler said at the meeting.
Shibler said financing would come from multiple sources, including state and city incentives along with debt and equity from the developer. Supporters warned that if Gardner does not approve the project, the developer could take it elsewhere.
City's due diligence
The Gardner City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 2190 on March 16, authorizing the city to retain outside counsel and consultants to evaluate the project's financial viability. The developer is responsible for reimbursing those costs, according to city council minutes.
Gardner council member Kelly Johnson said in an Aug. 10 Shawnee Mission Post report that the project intrigued her as a way to improve quality of life and ease the tax burden on residents.
Mayor Todd Winters told KCTV5 the city is "excited about the opportunity" and appreciates the potential economic boost.
What's next
The Gardner City Council is scheduled to vote on the Velocity Arts proposal on Sept. 21. The I-35 and 175th Street interchange where the site sits is already on the Kansas Department of Transportation's radar for a potential $25 million overhaul.
