Senate discusses Modesta 2 plan to expand Power & Light and Ballpark Village footprints

Senate sponsors described a proposal to expand Missouri’s Modesta economic‑development program, saying the plan would extend and duplicate successful public‑private districts such as Kansas City’s Power & Light District and St. Louis’s Ballpark Village and open two additional competitive footprints in each region.

The sponsor, the senator from the 15th, described the proposal as "risk free" for the state: private developers would finance projects and be eligible to receive a share of newly generated state and local tax revenue only after the projects were complete and produced new revenue. He cited prior Modesta examples as creating jobs and generating tax revenue, and said the next phase could produce billions in private investment.

Floor discussion ranged from the bill’s economic promise to technical questions about the proposed footprint radius and amendment language to expand or refine eligibility. Senators from both urban regions offered memories of local redevelopment tied to prior Modesta projects and described the bill as a tool for downtown revitalization and job creation. One floor amendment would modestly expand the geographic radius defining a qualifying district.

Next steps: The sponsor moved the substitute for perfection, and senators debated amendments and details. Further floor action (amendments and final votes) was pending at recess.