KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV/AP) -
Union Station in Kansas City is seeking $10 million in state tax credits to make capital improvements to the building and Science City
CEO George Guastello is scheduled to meet with the City Council's planning and economic development committee Wednesday to outline plans for the credits.
The Kansas City Council will vote Thursday on whether to sponsor the request.
The money would be used for a plan to transform Science City, enhance security and safety at the 98-year-old station and establish a reserve for unanticipated expenses and maintenance.
The Missouri Development Finance Board can grant tax credits equal to 50 percent of contributions from any taxpayer to the station.
Union Station has had a $675 million economic impact since voters 13 years ago approved an overhaul of the former train station. Science City hopes to celebrate this week its 3 millionth guest while more than a million a year pass through Union Station's doors.
"It really has become what Kansas City wanted: it's a civic center," Union Station chief executive officer George Guastello II said, adding it is a community icon that says this is Kansas City.
Union Station has plans to build the largest 3-D digital theater in the Midwest, a new planetarium and a new science garden.
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