Kansas City, Mo. ? The Kansas City Star has received unanimous city council approval of its plan to build a new printing plant in the city’s downtown.

The council’s action rezones the property and grants a 10-year property tax abatement, which city officials have valued at around $12.8 million.

Council members praised the newspaper’s $199 million investment in the city’s core.

“It’s a tremendous project,” Councilman Jim Rowland said. “It’s a sign of good public citizenship.”

Demolition and site preparation could begin as early as January, said Arthur S. Brisbane, president and publisher of The Star. Production at the plant is expected to begin in early 2006.

The 430,000-square-foot press and distribution complex is planned for a two-block site northeast of the Star’s offices.