Kearney Launches New Tax Incentives for Property Improvements

The City of Kearney has introduced an exciting new program to encourage property improvements in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. The K-353 Redevelopment Corporation is now accepting applications for its Chapter 353 tax abatement program, designed to help revitalize eligible residential and commercial properties.

The all-new K-353 Redevelopment Plan targets a 215-acre area generally known as Original Kearney,

The Board of Aldermen recently approved the program under Chapter 353 RSMO, a state statute that permits cities to abate real property taxes for specific improvements in a designated geographical area. The all-new K-353 Redevelopment Plan targets a 215-acre area (see attached boundary map) generally known as Original Kearney, encompassing 317 parcels of residential and commercial properties. The program aims to combat blight, enhance the city’s existing housing stock and attract new businesses and multi-family developments to a resurgent downtown.

“This area is the cornerstone of our city’s identity,” said Mayor Randy Pogue. “Many buildings here date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. This program provides a unique opportunity to preserve our community’s heritage by offering attractive tax incentives for property owners who choose to rehabilitate and enhance their properties. We are confident this initiative will inspire new investment, bringing renewed energy to the neighborhood and our city as a whole.”

The K-353 Redevelopment Plan offers eligible applicants 100% real property tax abatement on new improvements for up to 15 years, effectively freezing property taxes at their pre-improvement level. The program features four levels of tax abatement based on the scope of investment and the type of improvements made:

• Level A-1: Investments of $15,000–$24,999, requiring all improvements to be exterior.

• Level A-2: Investments of $25,000-$149,999, requiring 50% of improvements to be exterior.

• Level B: Investments of $150,000-$749,999, requiring 50% of improvements to be exterior.

• Level C: Investments of $750,000 or more, requiring 50% of improvements to be exterior.

Tax abatement is activated once the approved project is completed.

The program’s Policy and Guidelines are available at City Hall, 100 E. Washington St., and can also be downloaded from the city’s website at www.kearneymo.us. For more information, contact the Economic Development Department at 816-551-3008.

KPGZ News – City of Kearney contributed to this story.

Kearney Asks for Help with Transportation Comments

The City of Kearney is asking residents for assistance with three transportation grants through the Mid America Regional Council. Comments through MARC’s grant portal will help Kearney’s rankings for grant awards for infrastructure projects.

Kearney is competing with other cities the Kansas City metro area for federal grant dollars that will fund over 150 transportation projects. The city has applied for grants to fund three city projects: the 19th St. Complete Street Project, the Kearney Pathways Project, and the Nation Rd. Complete Street Project.

“Your comments will positively affect the rankings of Kearney’s applications, and we need your support,” reads the city’s social media post. “It only takes a few minutes to increase Kearney’s chances of being selected for grants for these projects.”

MARC is now seeking public comments on those applications. To read the project details and make comments on each project visit gis2.marc2.org/suballocated/publiccomment.html. Comments are accepted until October 4.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Appoints Thomas as Police Chief

The Kearney Board of Aldermen appointed Mark Thomas the new Police Chief at their August 5 meeting. The Aldermen approved Mayor Randy Pogue’s recommendation to make Thomas interim appointment permanent.

Kearney Police Chief Mark Thomas - submitted photo

Chief Thomas has been serving as the Interim Police Chief since March 6, 2024, and has demonstrated a commitment to community-focused leadership, professionalism and transparency within the department.

“I am solidly committed to the citizens of Kearney and look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers to ensure the safety and security of our community,” said Chief Thomas. “Together, we will build on the successes of the police department and address the challenges ahead with transparency, accountability and a commitment to excellence.”

Chief Thomas brings more than 42 years of law enforcement experience to the role, having previously served for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Clay and Plate County Sheriff's Offices and the State of Missouri Department of Labor Worker’s Compensation Fraud Detection Unit. In his short tenure as Interim Chief, he has already adopted a formal promotion process for officers in the department to ensure that the process is transparent and that promotions are based on experience and performance, and he has focused on improving training opportunities for Kearney officers.

Mayor Randy Pogue is excited at Thomas’ appointment.

“It gives me great pleasure that the Board has accepted my appointment of Mark Thomas as Police Chief,” said Mayor Pogue. “I am enthusiastic about the initiatives Chief Thomas is undertaking to improve the police department’s performance, productivity and connections with the community. Chief Thomas is a strong leader with an excellent track record of fighting crime. This is truly exciting for our community.”

Chief Thomas is a graduate of Park University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration, graduating with distinction. He has lived and worked in the Kearney community for more than 34 years, raising his family here. His commitment to the Kearney community has been solidified over the years.

More than 30 years ago, the Kearney community helped fundraise enough money to afford a liver transplant for his daughter that saved her life.

“I owe a debt to the Kearney community due to its overwhelming support during that difficult time that I will never be able to repay,” states Chief Thomas. “The Kearney police chief position gives me an opportunity to pay forward some of the kindness the community offered my family.”

Kearney Receives Grant for Hall Park

The City of Kearney announced that it is one step closer to building another park. Hall Park, a park designed for Kearney’s senior community, will become a long-awaited reality.

Kearney’s Hall Park project was selected as one of the Land and Water Conservation grant recipients for 2023. 51 agencies applied for Land and Water Conservation Fund grants through the Missouri State Parks, a division of the Department of Natural Resources.

The future Hall park site is located at the NE corner of 92 and Prospect Street

“This project has been in the works since 2012, when Gary Hall donated the property of his parents to the city for a park, specifically geared towards our senior population,” reads a post on the city’s Facebook page. “The city applied for the $500,000 grant in 2022, which required a $500,000 match. Thanks to the citizens approving the use tax for police, pets, parks and pathways, we were able to fund the $500,000 match.”

The city thanked the Hall family for such a generous donation that will benefit residents and the Parks and Recreation Department for their work in securing the grant.

The future park site is located at the NE corner of 92 and Prospect Street. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2025.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

July 3 Fireworks Show News Released

***UPDATE***

The City of Kearney Fireworks Celebration scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, at Jesse James Park will be postponed to Friday, July 5th. Friday night beginning at 5 pm there will be inflatable air toys, cotton candy and concessions, culminating with the Fireworks show at 9:30 pm.

Unfortunately, concert is cancelled. All other events will take place.

The order of events are similar to last year. Free inflatable air toys for the children to play in take place from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. Funk/Soul band Funk Syndicate will play on the amphitheater stage at 7:30 pm. The fireworks show begins at 9:30 pm.

Admission and Parking are free and spectators are encouraged bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on and to park their vehicles prior to 9 pm.

In the event of a postponement, the fireworks will be moved to Friday, July 5th.

Kearney police will have two exit lanes for cars leaving Jesse James Park.

“The right exit lane will take drivers north on Missouri 33 Highway toward 184th Street,” states a Kearney Police Department social media post. “The left exit lane will take drivers south on Missouri 33 Highway. We would ask that drivers do not switch lanes as that will cause more traffic delays.”

The police department also notes that 33 Highway will be closed at 162nd street to all southbound traffic and all traffic will be diverted west onto 162nd street towards nation road then back onto 92 highway. This is going to help stop the congestion from the traffic leaving the churches.

City staff are expecting a large turnout this year. Please allow extra time as and patience leaving parking areas.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.