No need to get yourself in a TIF

Friday night my wife threw a big birthday bash for me at the Loose Mansion in Hyde Park. It was a roaring 20's theme which was pretty cool because that was when Jacob and Ella Loose were at the height of their lives, throwing elaborate parties in the mansion they built for that purpose. I think everybody had a good time and I was glad to see our guests fall in love with the Loose Mansion the way I have. Ken & Barb Saathoff have done a tremendous job renovating the place. It is truly a Kansas City treasure. Quick disclaimer. The Saathoffs are friends of mine. After reading about how one person has taken it upon herself to try and destroy the Saathoffs' and cut this Kansas City landmark into condos, I sought Ken and Barb out and offered whatever help I could. The first time I toured the mansion with its original Tiffany chandelier, mahogany woodwork and Italian tile I was a goner. The place is magnificent and a real tribute to Jacob and Ella Loose whose legacy includes Children's Mercy Hospital, Loose Park and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. In this day and age of tax abatements and TIF, the Saathoffs did the whole project out of their own pockets. Over a million dollars! No handouts from the taxpayers. No groveling in front of the TIF Commission or the PIEA with a sob story about how hard it is to develop in the urban core. I'll point to them the next time some developer tells me he needs tax breaks to "make the numbers work." Look at the tax records for the Loose Mansion. 2003 and earlier is from before the Saathoffs did their renovations. 2004 until the present is after. Tax Year 2005: $13,244.32 Tax Year 2004: $12,643.09 Tax Year 2003: $175.70 Tax Year 2002: $175.70 Tax Year 2001 : $175.70 They are paying the full tax load. It's the small business owners in this town that keep things running and carry the weight for the big guys. While projects like Kirkwood Circle on the Plaza get a free pass at tax time, the little guys make up the difference. That needs to stop.