Councilwoman Bough named interim leader of KC Economic Development Corporation
Early Wednesday morning, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a change at the top of Kansas City's economic development engine.
Councilwoman Andrea Bough will now serve as President and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City.
The nonprofit supports job growth, neighborhoods, and small businesses in Kansas City.
Bough will replace Tracey Lewis. He led the EDCKC for four years.
Lucas did not give a reason for Lewis's removal.
"Tracey Lewis stepped into an important role and performed with steadiness and integrity," Lucas said in a statement. "I thank him for his service and wish him well.”
The change comes as the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Commission of the EDCKC is set to evaluate the TIF District that would be essential in funding the public contribution to the Royals stadium in Crown Center.
Bough voted "yes" on the $1.9 billion project multiple times.
On August 18, she voted for the project to be recommended to the full council from the council Finance Committee, which she was the chair of.
Two days later, on August 20, she voted "yes" on the Royals stadium project again in the full city council.
Now, on August 26, Bough is the new President and CEO of the ECDKC.
Critics have been frustrated with the speed the Royals project made it thorugh the city council in. Many have called for it to go to a public vote after a group gathered signatures to force that vote.
On Wednesday morning, Bough answered reporters' questions in the reception area of EDCKC's office in the River Market.
KMBC9 asked Bough if she's concerned about the optics of the project's fast move through the city council and then her appointment to lead the EDCKC.
"No, I'm not concerned about the optics," Bough said. "You know, it appears that this project has moved quickly through the city. But our city staff have been working on this for a very long time. I think having some continuity, from the council and to the EDC, will help ensure that the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed."
When asked if she believes she got this job because she got the Royals plan through the Finance Committee, she said no.
"I think I got this job because I have 25 years of experience in economic development," Bough said. "I have experience working with agencies, with government officials, the civic community. I think I got this job because of my experience."
In an interview Wednesday morning with KMBC9's Cody Holyoke and Heart of the Matter, Lucas said the move was made for long-term economic development needs in Kansas City.
“The change has nothing to do with anything else going on," Lucas said. "We’re always looking to see how we can get more dynamic in terms of economic development in Kansas City."
Lucas added Bough brings a wealth of experience with her as a city councilwoman and attorney.
He said her goals focus on economic development in all parts of Kansas City.
"We can have a dynamic and growing downtown," Lucas said. "I think this baseball stadium and Crown Center redevelopment is part of it." We can invest in The Plaza, and we can also continue to spend 10s of millions on the east side to build more housing, to build more early childhood education. That is what the charge is for her; I think she’ll be able to reach it and I think that's what Kansas City needs long term."
The TIF Commission of the EDCKC was expected to evaluate the TIF proposal for the Royals Stadium on Wednesday. That agenda item was continued until the next meeting on Wednesday, September 9.
Bough said the commission will consider the proposal and possibly take a vote to make a recommendation to the City Council.
"It is our job, now as the EDC and as a city, to ensure that the finances work so that the taxpayers are not on the hook," Bough said. "But I think that we can create a situation that protects the taxpayers, as well as the taxing jurisdictions, and brings a wonderful opportunity to Kansas City, to keep the Royals, to bring them downtown, as well as to renovate Crown Center."
Bough said the EDCKC expects to have a third-party financial analysis of the Royals stadium deal by the TIF Commission meeting on Sept. 9.
The finances of the Royals deal have come under criticism. During the August 20 meeting where the project was approved, City Councilman Jonathan Duncan said the stadium would be Power & Light on steroids.
Duncan is referring to the $15 million that comes out of the general fund every year to help pay off the bonds used to build the entertainment district.
"I think we have learned some lessons from the Power & Light," Bough said. "One of those things is, not to get into too much of the technical details, but our debt coverage ratio. And when we issue bonds, we are making sure as a city, now that we have enough revenue to cover the debt service on the bonds."
This isn't the first time this summer KMBC9 has reported on the EDCKC.
In July, three staff members were fired. Then CEO and President Tracey Lewis explained the staff changes as an effort to improve services through restructuring.
At the time, Councilman Crispin Rea said he was surprised by the firings and already concerned about the agency being short-staffed.
Lucas will now appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the City Council.
Top Picks
A dog's customized pink wheelchair worth $800 was stolen. An organization stepped in to replace it
Scammers are impersonating MyChart. Here’s how to spot them
'Liquid concrete': Why living downstream from a glacier has become a deadly liability
