The proposed homeless services center at a repurposed Lenexa hotel took another step forward last week, as a majority of county commissioners agreed to fund $3.3 million in renovations. The commission also voted to approve a 10-year agreement with reStart Inc., the Kansas City-based nonprofit tasked with operating and ultimately owning the shelter. Commissioners considered whether to use federal Housing and Urban Development funds for the renovations, but rejected the idea because of the added cost and extended time period. Using a HUD grant would require an environmental impact statement that could take up to two years to complete, and the sale of the hotel and nearby restaurant depends upon closing by the end of October. HUD money also would drive the cost of renovations to $4.86 million and require a remediation plan for noise, radon and soil contamination. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has already monitored the site and determined the levels are safe, said Assistant County Manager Joe Connor. Instead, the money will come from COVID relief funds that are a part of the county general fund.
Source: Johnson County Post
