Defending Kansas City's Historic Tax Credit Program

Historic and affordable housing tax credits recently came under fire from a Missouri state senator. Kevin Collison, writing for the Kansas City Star, responded.

1 minute read

February 16, 2014, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


State Sen. Will Kraus recently told The Star, “We are spending too much on tax credits...And we’re not getting the return on investment that we should be demanding,” referring to historic and affordable housing tax credits.

Kevin Collison then penned a rejoinder, citing specific case studies, including a recently approved project called the Argyle--a 10-story building at the prominent corner of 12th and McGee streets in the heart of downtown, originally designed by one of Kansas City's best known architects, Louis Curtiss.

"For more than 15 years the return on investment in this grand edifice a stone’s throw from City Hall has been zero, nada, nothing," writes Collison. But the deal's $3 million tax credit "will leverage a $20 million deal to develop a relic of Kansas City’s past, convert it to 124 nice apartments, and make it a place where a couple hundred people will live as part of Kansas City’s future. People who will go to bars and restaurants, shop for food and bring that stretch of 12th Street alive."

The coup de grâce of Collison's argument: "The Alliance for Investment, Jobs and Preservation estimates that Missouri has issued $1.35 billion in historic tax credits overall since the program began in 1998. The return on that investment? An estimated $7.25 billion in projects and more than 24,700 housing units created."

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 in The Kansas City Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards

The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.

May 5 - Streetsblog California

View of Portland skyline with green trees in foreground.

Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.

May 5 - Oregon Capital Chronicle

Honolulu Community College building.

Honolulu Community College Celebrates Culture and Sustainability

Honolulu Community College brought together more than 320 students, staff, and community members for a day of Hawaiian cultural activities, music, and sustainability-focused learning at its annual Hoʻolauleʻa celebration.

May 5 - University of Hawai'i News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO