info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Shawnee City Council approves creation of TIF redevelopment district for new Bellmont Promenade project

info2018-06-19T06:53:38-05:00June 19th, 2018|

An updated version of the much-anticipated Bellmont Promenade project is in motion. Last year, it was proposed to the city as a retail and commercial site. Now, the plan includes a residential component, making it mixed-use. Nearly a year ago, in July 2017, the council approved a $19.5 million incentive package for Bellmont Promenade, which is set to sit at the southwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Maurer. For the new mixed-use plan, the developers are requesting the same amount for a TIF and CID. So, it’s going through the process all over again. (Read more: The Dispatch stories)

Salina interim city manager named

info2018-06-19T06:49:37-05:00June 19th, 2018|

Deputy City Manager Mike Schrage has been named interim city manager. Salina city commissioners made the decision after a closed session at their regular meeting Monday. City Manager Jason Gage has resigned to take become city manager of Springfield, Mo., on Aug. 1. He will be with Salina until the end of July. City Attorney Greg Bengtson said that from now on, city commission discussions about replacing Gage on a permanent basis will have to take place in open session until commissioners are ready to talk with individuals. (Read more: News - Salina Journal)

Wichita union says firefighter staffing is risk to safety

info2018-06-19T06:47:56-05:00June 19th, 2018|

The Wichita Firefighters Union says reduced staffing is risking your safety, but the fire chief and mayor disagree. IAFF Local 135 put out a post Monday morning and another this weekend stating four units were out of service because of self-imposed budget cuts. The post encouraged people to contact the mayor. Mayor Jeff Longwell responded on his Facebook page about an hour later commenting that Wichita just received the best fire safety rating. He also addressed the union's claim. "In regard to claims that we are shutting down department units, we are continually evaluating the best use of resources and always [...]

City council votes to deny claim seeking $116K for water damage to downtown Topeka business

info2018-06-19T06:24:30-05:00June 19th, 2018|

Topeka’s governing body voted unanimously Saturday morning to deny business owner Chris Schultz’s claim seeking $116,000 in damages related to water damage to buildings he owns at 909 and 911 S. Kansas Ave. The council, which made the decision following a 40-minutes executive session, characterized the decision as significant and serious. “My issue with this claim is the process,” Deputy Mayor Brendan Jensen said. “I’m just simply not equipped to make this decision. I don’t have the resources and the tools. We’re just not set up to do that. So, I’m going to vote to deny this, but not because I [...]

City-funded grants support downtown Topeka businesses’ growth

info2018-06-19T03:24:32-05:00June 19th, 2018|

Significant advances in downtown Topeka’s redevelopment have boosted interest in investing downtown, according to a downtown official, and have increased the number of projects submitted to a city-funded incentive grant program. For nearly each of the 18 years since the grant program’s inception, the city has budgeted funds for Downtown Topeka Inc. to administer through the Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program. The program encourages residential and commercial improvements to buildings in the Capital City Business Improvement District bounded by S.W. Topeka Boulevard, S.E. Adams, S.W. 13th and the Kansas River. Vince Frye, executive director of DTI, said at least 100 [...]

Governor Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Fallen Deputies on Thursday, June 21

info2018-06-18T16:24:25-05:00June 18th, 2018|

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff state-wide from sun-up until sun-down on Thursday, June 21, 2018 in honor of Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputies Theresa “TK” King and Patrick Rohrer who were killed in the line of duty last week. “These two brave individuals lost their lives protecting the public and we owe them a deep debt of gratitude for their selfless service,” said the Governor. “We pray for their loved ones, as well as all law enforcement officers as we mourn this senseless tragedy.” A joint funeral will be [...]

Lawrence to again consider community police review board

info2018-06-18T07:38:46-05:00June 18th, 2018|

After multiple revisions aimed at ensuring the city’s new community police review board has sufficient access to police files and recordings, city leaders will again consider the ordinance to create the new board. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will review the most recent changes to the ordinance, which deal with redactions to the police department's internal investigation files connected to complaints of bias and any related audio or video recordings. As proposed, the board will review racial or other bias complaints made against police when the person who made the complaint disagrees with the police findings. (Read more: [...]

Overland Park community has its say about plans for Santa Fe Commons Park

info2018-06-18T07:37:32-05:00June 18th, 2018|

The word “park” is integral to Overland Park’s name, and residents care deeply about their public spaces. That was obvious Thursday night when about 100 people showed up for an open house to explore the future of Santa Fe Commons Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive, in downtown Overland Park. “I want it to stay the way it is,” said Joan Norman, who lives on 80th Street and loves the 3.8-acre park’s trees and pastoral setting. “We need the green space. It’s the only green space we have in downtown.” (Read more: Government & Politics News |)

How will Wichita respond to a ‘wake-up call’ for its economy?

info2018-06-18T07:37:16-05:00June 18th, 2018|

AAmid an avalanche of sobering data that indicates Wichita's economy continues to flounder, one statement by analyst James Chung stuck with Fidelity Bank president Aaron Bastian. "It was 'We’re starving our city,'" Bastian said. "That just hit me like a bucket of water." Bastian and other community leaders left the analysis of Wichita's economy last week with a clear mission. "We need to do more," Bastian said. "What we're doing is not enough." (Read more: Wichita Eagle)

After years of budget sweeps, KDOT task force tackles road repairs

info2018-06-18T07:07:57-05:00June 18th, 2018|

A task force examining Kansas infrastructure could consider the merits of raising the fuel tax to stabilize a Kansas Department of Transportation budget that suffered years of annual sweeps, the agency’s secretary says. Richard Carlson says he appreciates the money his agency already gets for roads, including $60 million lawmakers restored this year. Still, it will take several years before new projects are shovel-ready, and the task force will have to consider $600 million worth projects delayed under the current 10-year transportation plan. Carlson expressed concern about raising a fuel tax that already is higher than some neighboring states, at 24 [...]

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