Proponents of an entertainment complex in downtown Wichita have temporarily postponed their quest for $13 million in Kansas state sales tax revenue bonds.
The move came last week after opponents objected to the use of public funds to compete with existing private businesses. The proposal for the “Bowllagio” complex includes a bowling alley, hotel, and restaurant on the 33-acre site on the west side of downtown Wichita.
Maize 55 LLC, which wanted to develop the project, had agreed to finance a $100,000 economic study that would examine possible effects on competing business.
The developers want to use state tax revenues from the complex to support the STAR bonds.
However, the council objected to the reading of the ordinance setting out the parameters of the financing district because it seemed to put them on record as supporting the development.
The council asked that the ordinance be reworded, but the developers said they would temporarily table their request until the procedural issues are resolved.
