Kansas sues to halt public funding for $160M lagoon resort still without buildings

State officials in Kansas have filed a lawsuit to stop more public bond money from going to Derby Shores, a planned $160 million lagoon resort. The project still has no buildings above ground, four years after it was approved. The Kansas Department of Commerce filed the lawsuit this month in Sedgwick County District Court.

It is asking the court to block any more bond payments and require a full account of the $35,285,000 in bonds already sold for the project. "More than four years after the project was approved and bonds were sold, it has not been built," the state said in its court filing. "Announced opening dates have come and gone."The lawsuit names Derby Destination Development, a partnership made up of Dave Murfin, Rick Worner, and Rodney Steven II.

Project trustee Security Bank of Kansas City and the city of Derby are also named as defendants, according to The Wichita Eagle. Derby city manager Kiel Mangus said local officials are still reviewing the lawsuit and waiting for the private developers to take action.