Kansas City Votes on MERC Co-op Revival

0:00It's April 1st, this is Kansas News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. Kansas City Kansas leaders are set to vote Thursday on a letter of intent with Santa Fe Groschers to revive the old Murk co-op grocery spot. The new team wants $150,000 for building fixes in a full year of free rent to get things rolling. Earlier this week, the Economic Development and Finance Committee gave it a unanimous thumbs up on Monday night, fast-tracking it straight to the full. Commissioners grilled the deal hard, with one pushing back strong against that free rent year, worried it might turn into another flop. Long time residents chimed in too, saying the old Murk never delivered the fresh produce and basics they craved after it shut down last December. The Grocer Founder calls the rent break a standard move for big changes, giving time to stabilize so the store can cover its own costs. They'd handle all taxes or a payment in place of taxes if it's exempt. If it passes, they can start grabbing materials right away.

1:00But a final deal still needs hashing out to keep fresh food flowing back downtown.