http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-961611.mp3
Kansas City, KS – The Environmental Protection Agency will not pack up its regional headquarters for a move to Lenexa without a fight from Kansas City Kansas.
There will be a formal protest of the newly signed lease for suburban property. The KCK mayor calls the maneuver, " federal government at its worst."
EPA's property overseer, the General Services Administration, says it can't afford to stay in the KCK building designed and built for EPA in 1999, not at 4 and three quarter million dollars a year rent.
So it signed a lease for former Applebee's offices at 112th and Renner.
Charlie Cook of GSA is quoted as putting the deal at $121 Million over ten years.
KCK Mayor Joe Reardon is fuming. He says the city met all bid requirements, even offered to put up a new building.
He cites public policy to help save urban cores and says it just doesnt make sense-- "they are separating their corporate headquarters from the new lab facility that they located just a block away from the headquarters . Common sense would tell you that such a move would leave to inefficiency. And it throws environmental efficiency out the window."
EPA couldnt come to terms with its landlord and started looking last year for new quarters.
Lenexa's gain, Kansas City Kansas' loss.
Pending outcome of an appeal.