Update on Chiefs' Training Camp: "Glitch" in move to St. Joe

[T-post Tom]

Chiefs deal hitting some friction
by Alyson E. Raletz
Monday, April 6, 2009

The Missouri Department of Economic Development could be using its weight to bring negotiations between the Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Western State University to a close.

The Associated Press tonight is reporting that a “glitch has arisen in the Kansas City Chiefs' plans to move their training facility from Wisconsin to Missouri in exchange for state tax credits.”

At issue is the $25 million state tax credit proposal the Missouri Development Finance Board approved in December for the Chiefs, who agreed to turn over $10 million to Western for an indoor practice stadium. Former Gov. Matt Blunt and three state department directors signed off on the deal, which holds the Chiefs to keeping its camp in St. Joseph for five years.

The original proposal from the Chiefs and the Jackson County Sports Authority would move its camp from River Falls, Wis., to St. Joseph for five years beginning in 2010 with five one-year renewal options after that for a possible commitment of up to 10 years.

The News-Press in late March reported that Chiefs and Western officials still were amidst negotiations on the camp’s operating agreement and who would pony up the $2 million in tax credit fees.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, chairman of the finance board, at the time said he believed the project was in jeopardy as a result.

Apparently, the Department of Economic Development is stepping in.

“But a spokesman (of) the Missouri Department of Economic Development said Monday that no tax credits will be issued until the Chiefs commit to keeping their camp in Missouri for 10 years. Spokesman John Fougere (foo-ZHAYR') says that was the original intent of the Missouri Development Finance Board,” according to the AP.

Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, told the News-Press that Western-Chiefs negotiations were near completion after a meeting with Economic Development Director Linda Martinez Monday night in his office and he didn’t believe the project was in danger.

“I think we’re very close to having this thing put together,” Mr. Shields said.

He said if Western agrees to a five-year contract with five one-year options, then the contract again will go before the finance board.

However, he questioned whether the board could prevent the issuance of the credits if the Chiefs didn’t agree to a straight 10-year commitment.

“As long as it meets the elements of what it voted on (in December), then it’s good to go,” Mr. Shields said.

A spokesman for Mr. Kinder said the Chiefs intend on a 10-year commitment to St. Joseph, but the five one-year options were included to protect all parties involved, particularly the university.

“These efforts by the department could put this project in jeopardy,” Gary McElyea said.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by GonzoRox88

I figured as much.

C'mon, that's like asking a Jayhawk fan whether it ever gets old beating MU.

I do honestly want to see the Mo West program continue to improve, as it only helps the conference as a whole. But the recruiting advantage that Mo West would gain from the Chiefs camp and the new facilities is too much for my tastes. And if I, as a Bearcat fan, feel that way, then think about how much fans of UCM, Washburn and UNO are going to feel.

[RustShack]

So if TC is in Missouri will the players be free to flee after practices instead of eating and bunking together?

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by cmh6476

also, the real answer is Boudreaux's, Barbosa's, Galvin's Dinnerhouse, La Dolce Vita @ 36th St, Hunan's, Hoof and Horn, and I'm probably missing a couple others.

Pinzino's First Ward,his steaks and bbq are

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by GonzoRox88

Eh..wasn't there some bar called Bedrock a while ago..

Bedrocks just North of Frederick,and sometime before that it was called Jeremiah's Crossing,a couple of my friends owned that one.I miss those days but it's inevitable that Corporate America takes over.

[cmh6476]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

Pinzino's First Ward,his steaks and bbq are

ahhhh, yes. See, I told you I missed a couple.

[cmh6476]

Originally Posted by Nzoner

Bedrocks just North of Frederick,and sometime before that it was called Jeremiah's Crossing,a couple of my friends owned that one.I miss those days but it's inevitable that Corporate America takes over.

wasnt bedrocks where all the cops hung out? That was before my time on the bar scene. My first experience at a bar was mid-90s when I was in High School at the Round-Up, FWIW.

[Nzoner]

Originally Posted by cmh6476

wasnt bedrocks where all the cops hung out? That was before my time on the bar scene. My first experience at a bar was mid-90s when I was in High School at the Round-Up, FWIW.

Never once went to Bedrocks

[cmh6476]

Maybe I'm mistaken, I thought Bedrocks was at the location of Showbiz Pizza. Didn't that have a honeymoon as a bar following the closing of Showbiz?


Boy do I sure have some fond memories of Showbiz

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by RustShack

So if TC is in Missouri will the players be free to flee after practices instead of eating and bunking together?

No.

The Chiefs said early on that they liked the idea of Missouri Western because they could use the dorms and basically do exactly what they did in River Falls.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by macdawg

unless your someone who can take some time off of work every year to go to River Falls, why wouldn't you want it close to home so you could go watch training camp on your days off work? how kickass would that be? I am assuming you guys wanting it to stay in River Falls make the trip each year, something most Chief fans cannot do.

Yep, they're selfish. And **** you Wendler; I hope you precious media-types get overrun by women with mullets and screaming kids ALL ****ING DAY at Chiefs Camp, wherever it may be.

That tears it!

We've got local college here in the nice, cool mountains of Arizona. The community would welcome the opportunity in a New York ****ing Minute, and the first time the Chiefs did camp here, they would dig-in for a long ****ing time to come; this is where you want to be in August, believe you me.

The Crusade is underway.
Print it!

[Demonpenz]

st joseph just passed a tax helping teachers and building schools. I see they are really turning things around there

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

st joseph just passed a tax helping teachers and building schools. I see they are really turning things around there

Nice sarcasm, (I hope)....

Both of those issues lost, which is fucking reeruned of this city's residents. This town is so full of old people without kids and they want it to stay that way apparently. So many people move to KC because of the Quality Schools you get down there.... and these people Vote NO on a very very small tax they are ALREADY paying to help fund teachers salaries????? WTG morons, I hope you feel happy about the layoffs that are about to happen.

People Vote NO on a very small tax to help build 2 BRAND NEW schools? Do you WANT this towns schools to suck dick? Well congrats! I hope the residents here realize that 2 elementary schools are shutting down and the districts are going to become even more crammed. I hope you teach your kids a lot at home, because from now on at school they will be receiving less attention. (Oh yes,.... I would say Goodbye to those extra Tutoring sessions the teachers were offering students because there is no more money to pay for those). Look at all of the money those elementary teachers make.... yes the town were so correct in screwing them even more.

I thought this city was turning around, but after last nights poll results... I am irrate! Less then 20k voters for these issues as well, pathetic.

/rant off

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Raised On Riots

Yep, they're selfish. And **** you Wendler; I hope you precious media-types get overrun by women with mullets and screaming kids ALL ****ING DAY at Chiefs Camp, wherever it may be.

Why? It just makes the job more difficult. I don't even want to think about what parking might be like.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by Claythan

Why? It just makes the job more difficult. I don't even want to think about what parking might be like.

Dude the first week of training camp might be super busy, but the newness will wear off and it will settle down. I haven't been to River Falls but I would imagine there is just as much, if not more parking at MWSU.

[Demonpenz]

i am glad my mom is retired from the sjsd that is embarrassing they didn't pass those taxes. People there still think teachers get paid too much