What happens to AT&T Tower's $350 million planned redevelopment after a tax credit bill helping ease the cost of redeveloping unused office space into residential did not receive a vote in the Missouri House? Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe says discussions on the bill need to continue.
"The general consensus was it might have been a little too hefty."
Kehoe points to the state's economic future as a reason for further talks.
"The road ahead is gonna get a little bit more bumpier in the next several years. I know the Missouri house is very sensitive to not overspend the Missouri tax dollars that they entrust us with."
Asked for comment, Charles Goldman the managing partner of the Goldman group who purchased the AT&T Tower said the project is on hold and downtown is at risk. Could the building wind up back on the market? Goldman says they are not selling.
Asked about pursuing other avenues of obtaining tax credits, Goldman said the project requires public private partnership at the state and local levels. He adds there is no obvious answer and the gap is large.
Meanwhile Governor Kehoe says he will call a special session for the Chiefs and Royals stadium funding bill. Kehoe proposed the "Show Me Sports Investment Act" earlier this week."
"House gave it a great vote but it's an important piece of economic development and we definitely will be looking for a way to get that back before the general assembly."
Kehoe says there is a history to this.
"Governors from both parties have called special sessions for economic development packages before. "I think the most recent one, the GM package, was a $1.5 billion investment that I believe Governor Parson called."
The renovations for the Chiefs home, Arrowhead stadium, and construction of a new Royals stadium would be in the $2.5-3 billion range.