info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

How a Wichita peer city has managed downtown parking over the last decade

info2024-09-04T09:15:47-05:00September 4th, 2024|

As Wichita's downtown paid parking plan has faced added heat in recent weeks, backers of the plan continue to say that the city is well behind its Midwest peers in the area of a coherent parking approach supported by modern technology. Omaha, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City and Des Moines are among those highlighted by city officials as being ahead of Wichita. "The parking management systems that are in place are not hindering development," said Anderson, who served as Omaha's deputy chief of staff for economic development prior to moving to Wichita in 2022. "In fact, there's a cultural norm, a [...]

Wichita’s downtown parking plan faces roadblocks amid backlash

info2024-09-04T09:11:37-05:00September 4th, 2024|

Following public backlash in August to the city's previously approved plan to implement more paid public parking throughout Wichita's core, from Old Town to the Delano District, the City Council moved to delay the purchase of equipment tied to that plan. A Sept. 10 Council meeting is set to include a city staff update on the plan, including the latest on public feedback and alternative options to pay for downtown parking infrastructure needs. Caught in the uncertainty are business owners and operators. Some say increasing the prevalence of paid parking could deter customers from visiting downtown. "In this economy that we're [...]

Ordinance approved to address nuisances at short-term rental properties

info2024-09-04T09:08:02-05:00September 4th, 2024|

Wichita City Council members have approved an ordinance to deal with nuisance parties at short-term rental properties in the city. Action had been delayed to rewrite the ordinance to clarify when a property owner could be held responsible for violations. The ordinance defines activities that would be considered as nuisances, including noise, unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages, property damage, illegal gambling, and other conduct. The property owner and the person renting the property could be cited under the ordinance, but they can only be charged if they are present at the time of the party, if they have been notified by [...]

A Home in This Kansas City Suburb Can Cost Millions. Just Ask Travis Kelce.

info2024-09-03T12:27:24-05:00September 3rd, 2024|

The Kansas City metropolitan area straddles the border between Kansas and Missouri. Near its southern end on the Kansas side is the city of Leawood. With a median home listing price of $1.8 million in July 2024, Leawood’s 66211 ZIP Code is home to Kansas’ priciest residential real estate as ranked by median listing price, according to Realtor.com. (News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, also operates Realtor.com.) One of Kansas City’s first-ring suburbs, Leawood has a population of approximately 34,000, according to census data. It has two main shopping and dining complexes: Town Center, which has bigger brand names, [...]

‘We’re not just loading people on a bus,’ Lawrence’s homeless solutions director says

info2024-09-03T12:24:50-05:00September 3rd, 2024|

Many questions have surfaced in the days since the city announced a new policy to prioritize Douglas County residents with homelessness services — among them, how does someone without an address prove they live here? The City of Lawrence this week shared details of a policy that’s actually been implemented over the past few months. Under the policy, the city provides “non-resident homeless individuals” with short-term assistance and helps them return to their “place of origin,” according to a city news release. Misty Bosch-Hastings, director of the city’s Homeless Solutions Division, answered questions about the policy, its purpose and how it’s [...]

Doug Burt serves the City of Great Bend for five decades

info2024-09-03T12:21:06-05:00September 3rd, 2024|

Doug Burt is traveling the hills and valleys of memory lane these days, as he celebrates his 50th anniversary of taking care of business for the City of Great Bend. Randy Keasling, director of human resources, echoed many of Keeler’s comments about Burt. “Reaching a 50-year work anniversary is a remarkable achievement, and it speaks volumes about the dedication, hard work and loyalty of our valued colleague, Doug Burt,” Keasling said. “His commitment and contributions are something we are so very proud of. We are deeply grateful for Doug’s many years of service and the positive impact he has had on [...]

Salina cyclists aim to make city safer for bikes

info2024-09-03T08:38:18-05:00September 3rd, 2024|

Salina is trying to make the community more cycling friendly. The biking community has noticed of some of the steps the city is taking, but — as with anything — there is always room to improve. "What they mostly talk about is trails, which is not unworthy," said Janet Hanson, a member of the Salina Bicyclist Advocacy Group. Hanson, along with fellow group member Phil Black, hopes the city and residents can do things to make cycling on streets more safe and accessible. Source: Salina Journal

How a threat from Shawnee County led to an art farm known as Truckhenge

info2024-09-03T08:32:50-05:00September 3rd, 2024|

A judge in 2002 ordered Ron Lessman to remove various junk vehicles, most of them trucks, from his farm just east of Topeka. That order was issued after Shawnee County sued Lessman, contending any flooding of the nearby Kansas River might endanger public safety and health by sweeping those vehicles downstream. Lessman replied by making those vehicles the centerpiece of a quirky, grassroots art park called Truckhenge Farm, which humorously pays homage to England's Stonehenge. Source: CJonline

Amid budget uncertainty, new Lawrence parks director thinks he’s up to challenge of guiding department forward

info2024-09-03T07:34:46-05:00September 3rd, 2024|

Despite being intrigued by a new possibility in Lawrence, Luis Ruiz was not expecting to seriously consider making a jump to the Sunflower State. Ruiz, who was born and raised in Miami and is a first generation Cuban-American, went to school at the University of Miami and spent at least a decade working in the Sunshine State... He took the job as director in May. Then in July, the city released its initial 2025 budget that his department could face service cuts, something Ruiz — and other city officials — was not fully aware of when he took the job. Source: [...]

Overland Park names its new police chief, the first woman to lead the department

info2024-08-28T21:13:06-05:00August 28th, 2024|

Overland Park has named Doreen Jokerst, leader of the University of Colorado Boulder Police Department, as its next police chief. She will be the first woman to run the department. Jokerst, who has served for six years as the assistant vice chancellor for public safety and chief of police overseeing the Boulder campus, will replace former Overland Park police chief Frank Donchez, who resigned last year. Source: Joco 913 News

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