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2013 Economic Development Update 

The following is a portion of a report given by Mr. Tom Cole, the City's Economic Development Director, to the Raytown Board of Aldermen at its August 20th meeting.

Blue Vue Bicycles:

Blue Vue Bicycles, a full service bicycle repair shop and retail outlet has opened its doors for business. The store is located at 4701 Blue Ridge Boulevard and is owned and operated by operated by long time Raytown resident Steve Shope and his wife, Marnee Higgins. The store is located at 4701 Blue Ridge Boulevard / 816-719-6980.
NewZroom Café:

The City has received plans for the Newzroom Café, a casual dining/congregating venue at 6020 Blue Ridge Boulevard across the street from Raytown High School.  It is anticipated that the facility will be opened in late fall 2013/early 2014.  The project was recently approved to receive Chapter 353 Tax Abatement by the Board of Aldermen as it will greatly recondition a very challenged property.

Loomis Laundry and Dry Cleaning:

Loomis Brothers Laundry has leased and is in the process of modernizing the former 3600 square foot Neptune Laundry location in Raytown Plaza. The project includes a complete interior rebuild and the commissioning of new, state of the art Maytag Laundry equipment. It is anticipated the business will open this fall.

Show-Me-Quilting:

The firm has leased 2700 square foot of space in Raytown Plaza to provide quilting fabric, patterns, equipment, machines, supplies and service to those who enjoy the art of quilting. As few firms exist in the region that solely emphasize the craft of quilting, the firm has dedicated customers from an extensive geography.

Dollar N Cents:

The discount retailer opened in Raytown Plaza at the beginning of 2013 and provides 2300 square foot of products.

Raytown International Raceway:

The company has greatly expanded its operation to include nearly 7000 square foot of space for slot car racing at Raytown Plaza. In addition to indoor racetracks, the firm provides sales and service to the hobby racer retail market.

Home Skillet:

First reported last December, the restaurateur continues to proceed on the interior renovation of 3500 square foot in Raytown Plaza between Northcraft and Show-Me-Quilting. A completion/opening date has not yet been established.

Sabah Café:

The restaurant at Center 63 (6144 Raytown Trafficway) opened at the conclusion of 2012 and continues to expand its unique offerings. The Middle Eastern & American dining options include falafel, tabouleh, hummus and a variety of other specialty dishes.

MCC — Mike's Cycle Center:

MCC leases space at 9615 East 63^rd Street and provides sales and service of motorcycles and powersports. Additionally, the firm provides a variety of "soft goods" including clothing, protective gear and accessories. The firm reports a strong customer base from throughout the Kansas City area.

Google Fiber:

The technology firm is currently installing the world's fastest internet connection speed fiber along a main fiber corridor in Raytown. Attaining the interest of Google was an exciting pursuit; however the community-wide benefit of hosting such technology is entirely dependent on market acceptance. In other words, Google Fiber will only be supplied where it is demanded by pre-sale and expressed interest to the service provider.

Advanced Eyecare:

In February, Advanced Eyecare celebrated a Grand Re-Opening at its location at 67^th & Raytown Road. The celebration concluded an extensive reinvestment, remodel and building addition designed to accommodate additional examination rooms.

Carespot:

The urgent care facility opened in July 2013 and offers a wide variety of services ranging from walk-in health checks, occupational health reviews, traditional medical evaluations and the in-house ability to perform x-rays, clinical testing and care for a number of medical procedures that do not demand the attention of an ER staff. The facility is located in the Raytown Square Shopping Center in the former Buffalo Wild Wings location.

Select Physical Therapy:

The firm is will be leasing the space immediately east of Carespot to provide physical therapy, hand/occupational therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, lower back treatments and additional services to aid in the recovery and rehabilitation of hurting individuals. An opening date has not yet been established.

Players Paradise:

The company completely renovated the former Laurel Lanes Bowling Alley into an indoor baseball and golf skills training facility. Players Paradise caters to competitive youth baseball players and teams as well as individual golf enthusiasts. The facility has been successful attracting clients from Eastern Jackson County.

Hy-Vee Fuel Station

Hy-Vee purchased and demolished the former Jeep dealership at 9401 East 350 Highway and opened a Convenience/Fuel Store on December 18, 2012. Future plans may include a car wash and/or coffee shop on the site. The project added an improved aesthetic element to the site which had remained vacant and blighted for a number of years.

87^th Street Market:

The former 7-Eleven building at 9709 East 87^th Street has received a substantial interior and exterior remodel and opened in April 2013. The property had been vacant and unused for several years prior to the initiative of the current ownership group. The facility provides groceries and liquor.

Extreme Grand Prix:

The 60,000 square foot former Hy-Vee store at 9731 Blue Ridge Boulevard has received significant modifications to become the largest indoor Go Kart/Family Fun Center in the Midwest. The facility offers electric go kart racing, bounce houses, dining, meeting space and a variety of additional entertainment options designed for both children and adults.

Dunkin' Donuts:

After a lengthy site selection process, Dunkin' Donuts is making a return to Raytown by constructing a new building adjacent to Extreme Grand Prix at 350 Highway and Blue Ridge Boulevard. The 3000 square foot operation will offer a variety of baked goods including donuts, muffins, pastries, cookies and Danishes alongside breakfast and lunch sandwiches. The firm has also gained recent notoriety for its quality coffee.
Construction is underway and it is anticipated the location will be fully operational in fall 2013.

The following are businesses that relocated in or to Raytown:

Northcraft Flooring and Granite Design:

Under new ownership, Northcraft relocated its primary business operation from 55^th& amp; Raytown Road to an 18,000 square foot space in Raytown Plaza (62^nd& amp; Blue Ridge Boulevard). The relocation was not only a change of address, but a dramatic change in aesthetics that has propelled the firm as a regional destination for new flooring purchases. The project serves as an instrumental anchor in reinvigorating Raytown Plaza Shopping Center.

Heartland Fabrication and 3-Feathers Construction:

Both firms have relocated from Independence to a 25,000 square foot industrial building at 10220 East 65^th Street in Raytown. The firms manufacture parts for the Department of Defense and specialty cutting tools for the meat processing industry. The project has brought over 60 iron workers and tool& amp; die specialists to Raytown. Of special note, the firm is recognizing a lower cost of doing business in Raytown as they have discovered significant energy savings opportunities through KCPL vs their prior energy provider.

Elite Booth, LLC:

Towncraft Wood Products' former building (9616 East 55^th Street) is one of the larger industrial properties in Raytown and has been filled by Elite Booth, a regional firm that produces interior furnishings for national restaurants. This project has brought over 20 new manufacturing jobs to Raytown and utilizes over 30,000 square foot of manufacturing and warehouse space.

City-Owned Property (3.78 acres) at 10009 East 62^nd Street:

On September 2, 2013, the City of Raytown will issue a second public Request for Proposal (RFP) to redevelop the site of the former First Baptist Church of Raytown.

A similar RFP was issued in March 2010 and yielded only a few responses due to the uncertainty of the national recession. Two proposals were reviewed by City Staff and a selection committee. One proposal advanced to further study; however, the proposal was ultimately deemed economically unfeasible.

As the economy is demonstrating signs of improvement, the City has opted to re-issue this revised RFP in an effort to spur a redevelopment project that truly enhances and energizes the heart of Raytown. All parties with an exciting vision and the means to plan, finance and deliver a final/built development are encouraged to submit a response to this Request for Proposal.

The RFP will be released to the public on September 2, 2013. A pre-proposal meeting/site visit will be held on September 18, 2013 and the proposal deadline for submissions will be November 1, 2013.

In addition to the aforementioned projects and initiatives, City Staff continues to work with a variety of prospective restaurants, office, retail and industrial firms seeking real estate. It is anticipated that a number of announcements will be forthcoming as the projects advance.

FIT BOTTOMED EATS

Vegan Cookies Made Easy!

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Edgewood Manor Announces Senior 5K "Walk of Life" BY PAM CARNEY

Edgewood Manor Rehab and Wellness Center has announced its inaugural Senior 5K "Walk of Life". 

The Senior 5K "Walk of Life" is a fabulous event planned for all KC area Seniors – a 5K just for THEM!  There are many 5Ks around the metro area, but not many (if any) are specifically geared for seniors.  Encourage senior wellness by exercise, getting out in the sunshine and socializing with them!  

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will kick off at Edgewood Manor Rehab and Wellness Center located at 11900 Jessica Lane. This is a FREE event.

All caregivers and professionals in aging are more than welcome as well!  I believe the most valuable thing you can give someone is your time, so please, show your support of Kansas City’s senior population, represent your company at the same time and join the Seniors as they tell about their Walk of Life and what paths they chose throughout their lifetime.  A great event for already active seniors, and a fun activity for seniors possibly in facilities, because if your particular senior cannot walk, grab your favorite senior and walk them! (in their wheelchair – which are allowed)

Sponsors and donations greatly appreciated and will be recognized in future flyer distributions and at event.  Volunteers will be needed as well!  Please contact me asap if there is anything  you or your business can contribute for this event!

For more information contact Pam Carney at pcarney@platinumhc.net

  

Rice Tremonti Order No. 11 Re-enactment

Saturday, September 14, 2013
10:30 AM - 9:00 PM

This is the official 150th anniversary recognition of the military order that de-populated Jackson and neighboring Missouri counties in the fall of 1863 during the bitter conflict of the Civil War. Civil War re-enactors from the entire region will be on hand to re-create the scene immortalized in artist George Caleb Bingham's painting "Martial Law," which illustrates the implementation of General Order No. 11 by Union Gen. Thomas Ewing. Bring a lawn chair and experience the drama. Following the re-enactment, the Rice-Tremonti Home, one of the few surviving Jackson County homes of that episode will be open for tours.

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