KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City City Council approved a plan Thursday that will help clear the way for Cerner to purchase and redevelop the Bannister Mall Complex.
The city council approved a Super TIF and ordinances necessary to make the deal happen in a 10-1 vote. Only councilman Russ Johnson voted no.
Cerner wants to build the largest office complex in Kansas City history at the old Bannister Mall location. The project is expected span 251 acres and cost $4.3 billion.
Over the next 10 years, Cerner plans to build new offices and add 15,000 jobs, which would more than double its current work force. Cerner also intends to build 11 office buildings, data centers and a daycare. The plan also calls for a hotel and retail space.
Bannister Mall thrived after it was built in 1980, but over time, retailers pulled out and by the turn of the century, it was a shell of its former glory. It closed in 2007 and since then the city has worked hard to find a new tenant.
Sporting KC nearly built its stadium there, but those plans fell through when the owners decided to build in Kansas City, Kan.
Cerner will receive more than $1.6 billion in tax incentives. The City of Kansas City will cover about a third of the project. In exchange, city officials expect a major economic boost in that area. In fact, Cerner will donate around $6 million to the Hickman Mills School district and $2 million to redeveloping area neighborhoods.
Forbes ranked Cerner as 13th in top 100 innovative companies in the world.
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