info2018-11-20T08:58:26-06:00November 20th, 2018|
A Wichita city councilman says the fight to save the Starlite Drive-in isn't over. Monday, Wichita Council member James Clendenin posted a video on Facebook, encouraging supporters of the drive-in theater not to give up. "We're working hard on it. I wanted people to know even though they don't see a headline, there is work being done to save the Starlite Drive-in," Clendenin says. (Read more: KWCH News)
info2018-11-20T08:57:19-06:00November 20th, 2018|
Prairie Village City Council members debated the wisdom and scope of an LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance and ultimately voted unanimously Monday night for a broader ordinance than it originally contemplated. The suburban council took action where state and federal law hasn’t yet reached — barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by the city, landlords and any business offering services to the public. After being formally adopted in a roll-call vote in December, the ordinance should take effect in January, said Tucker Poling, a co-sponsor of the ordinance. “We made a statement about who we are as Prairie Village,” he [...]
info2018-11-20T08:56:34-06:00November 20th, 2018|
Chanute city commissioners gave a counter offer Monday evening on the cash bid for the sale of an industrial building. The commission approved a motion to ask for $350,000 for a city-owned building at 615 W. Cherry. Todd Morris and Lamar Eby have offered $291,000 to buy the building that they would then lease to a so-far unnamed company. Chanute businessman Jim Caldwell of Bridgewood Custom Cabinetry has offered $500,000, but also seeks economic incentives including rebates for 20 jobs created and reimbursement for equipment investment. The offer by Morris and Eby does not require incentives. Caldwell’s offer would rebate up [...]
info2018-11-20T10:01:16-06:00November 20th, 2018|
A parking lot on S.W. Wanamaker once used by Kmart shoppers incurred damage from semi-trucks that used the lot overnight, but no city code expressly prevents trucks from parking in vacant lots. A reader asked The Topeka Capital-Journal’s #TopCity What?, which answers reader-submitted questions, if there are any codes prohibiting semis from parking in the old Kmart parking lot overnight because they were tearing up the lot. Patrick Lockett, of Topeka, said he first noticed semis parking in the lot when Kmart, 1740 S.W. Wanamaker, closed its doors in November 2017. He used to see several trucks parked there at a [...]
info2018-11-19T09:50:23-06:00November 19th, 2018|
Lawrence officials will consider whether to move forward with a new plaza and recreation area concept along the portion of the Kansas River that borders downtown. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the city has budgeted $2 million this year to repair the Kansas River dam and address riverbank erosion south of the dam. The city could stabilize the riverbank by building a terraced stone plaza instead of rebuilding the existing retaining wall. The plaza would create river entry points and extend slightly into the river, which would facilitate pools and whitewater for kayaking and other water activities. Assistant City Manager Brandon [...]
info2018-11-19T10:21:43-06:00November 19th, 2018|
There are new plans for multistory buildings with nearly 400 apartments and condos to overlook the Kansas River, and the iconic North Lawrence bar Johnny’s Tavern would get a bit of a facelift too. Indeed, dreams of Lawrence’s own riverfront development are back in vogue. A group that owns the property including and around Johnny’s Tavern at North Second and Locust streets has filed new plans at City Hall that would construct a series of buildings tall enough to peek above the Kansas River levee and create a new row of riverside dining and living options. (Read more: LJWorld)
info2018-11-19T09:46:47-06:00November 19th, 2018|
In an effort to attract more businesses to the area near U.S. 59 and U.S. 400, the city of Parsons may hire a retail recruitment firm. Parsons city commissioners will consider approval of a letter of engagement between the city and Retail Strategies to begin a three-year contract on Jan. 1. The contract would cost the city $25,000 per year. Jim Zaleski, economic development director, told commissioners during a Thursday work session the company should help him “get in the door” to talk to national retail chains. With a hotel and conference center being built on Cattle Drive near North 16th [...]
info2018-11-19T09:45:30-06:00November 19th, 2018|
Small pop-up parks and playgrounds have appeared throughout Wichita. One of the newest sites has created some buzz. "When I first saw them, I thought to myself, 'What was this?' said Sabian Powers. "I was just very intrigued by it." "I was like, 'What is this? What are they doing?'" explained Caitlin Herring. "It's really chill. It's just a really cool place to go." "I think it's creative. I think it's nice. I think it's, like I said, it's good for the city. It looks good," said Wichita resident Sean Stewart. The newest pop-up park is located on Douglas and 135 [...]
info2018-11-19T09:44:37-06:00November 19th, 2018|
Lyon County Commissioners approved a motion to republish 2018 budget expenditures for both the Road & Bridge and Noxious Weeds departments during a short action session at the courthouse Thursday morning. Commissioner Dan Slater said the updated budgets — which are set to be published in The Emporia Gazette next week — accounted for recent weather events. “The departments are both spending a little bit more money than we intended to spend, so with the weather doing weird things we decided to be safe and republish the budgets,” Slater said. “December can be a strange month for roads, especially when you [...]
info2018-11-19T09:43:46-06:00November 19th, 2018|
Mental health crisis response and paperless reports for liquid waste haulers are among topics local governing bodies plan to take up this coming week. Commissioners plan to consider entering into an agreement through which the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Topeka Police Department and Valeo Behavioral Health Care would team up to create and finance a job for a full-time employee who would assist sheriff’s and police officers during incidents involving people suffering mental health crises. The cost to employ that person wouldn’t exceed $60,000 a year, commissioners learned in a recent joint memo from Sheriff Herman [...]
