News – Page 2229 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Is it ‘game on’ for OP sports arena? Competition heats up with rival Olathe plan

info2019-01-29T12:41:24-06:00January 29th, 2019|

A proposal for a $195 million arena, multisport and retail complex in south Overland Park has received the green light to seek state tax incentives, setting up a possible down-to-the-wire competition with a rival Olathe plan. After a three-hour discussion, the Overland Park City Council voted 10-2 Monday night in favor of the Price Brothers plan to request $63 million in state tax incentives, in the form of STAR bonds, to enhance its Bluhawk development southwest of U.S. Highway 69 and 159th Street. With further approvals from the Kansas Commerce Secretary and the City Council, the STAR bonds would help finance [...]

What is microtransit? To get around JoCo for little money, it could be a solution

info2019-01-29T12:40:42-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Johnson County will spend $250,000 over the next six months on an Uber-like transit experiment, trying to find a better alternative to large buses carrying small numbers of passengers. The county is paying for a “microtransit” pilot project serving parts of Overland Park, Mission, Shawnee and Lenexa that will allow passengers to summon a ride on a small van to desired destinations, via a smart phone app. It’s an on-demand service that’s somewhat akin to Uber or Lyft, although this program involves a “shared ride.” It connects up to 12 passengers at one time who start out in nearby locations and [...]

ACLU-Dodge City voting site legal case ending

info2019-01-29T12:40:08-06:00January 29th, 2019|

The legal fight over voting locations for Dodge City voters is ending. On Monday, the Wichita-based attorney for Ford County Clerk Deborah Cox wrote in a court filing in U.S. District Court that Cox did not oppose the motion of plaintiffs to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice. Last week, Cox announced “a concrete, specific plan to open two polling locations for the City of Dodge City, both of which are accessible to the public,” ... (Read more: Local - The Hutchinson News)

Lawrence to host workshops to gather input on Downtown Master Plan

info2019-01-29T12:32:20-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Residents who want to weigh in on the master plan that will shape downtown Lawrence for the next 15 to 20 years will soon have an opportunity to do so. As part of the development of the master plan, the city will be hosting a series of workshops the week of Feb. 4, according to a city news release. The workshops will be broken into three groups: one for downtown and adjacent neighborhoods; one communitywide meeting; and one for downtown business owners and developers. The new master plan will replace guidelines that have not been updated in 20 years and will [...]

Barton County Commissioners approve construction of equipment storage shed

info2019-01-29T11:49:55-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Barton County Commissioners Monday approved the construction of a 40′ x 50′ pole barn at the Ellinwood sand pit. The board approved the low bid of $18,728 from Lyle Bryant Construction from Ellinwood, one of four bids that were received for the project. County Works Director Darren Williams explained the need for the structure. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz was in agreement with Williams that the county needed to protect its investment of expensive equipment at the location. The contract calls for construction to be complete no later that March 31 of this year. The money for the project will come out of [...]

Shawnee opens fourth fire station, signifying growth west of I-435

info2019-01-29T11:48:18-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Shawnee city staff and residents last week celebrated the grand opening of the city’s fourth fire station — a testament to the city’s growth west of I-435. “This new station — starting this morning at 7 o’clock — will provide an improvement in response time to nearly 6,000 homes and 17,000 residents,” said Fire Chief John Mattox at the grand opening ceremony Thursday afternoon. “So, from the men and women of the Shawnee Fire Department, a heartfelt thank you to the community and to our governing body for your support.” Located at 5300 Woodsonia Drive, Fire Station 74 is a 9,220-square-foot [...]

Great Bend weighing options with contractor work as complex hydrant repairs continue

info2019-01-29T11:45:02-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Repairs are ongoing with two hydrants on 24th Street in Great Bend. The hydrants at 24th Street & Washington and 24th Street & Adams are receiving major repairs after the City of Great Bend discovered valves that do not allow the City to shut the water off. APAC out of Hutchinson has handled the repairs. City Administrator Kendal Francis says the Public Works Department is unable to handle the complex assignment. APAC is already in Great Bend as they work to complete the $6 million water line replacement project. Great Bend City Council member Jolene Biggs asked Francis if this type [...]

Project Wichita talks about master plan

info2019-01-29T11:39:55-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Project Wichita is a community engagement process to discover the community's vision for Wichita and the region in the next 10 years. (Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Shawnee County could gain $100K-plus in taxes after approval of contract for aerial imagery showing property changes

info2019-01-29T11:39:02-06:00January 29th, 2019|

Shawnee County could reap more than $100,000 in additional property taxes as a result of a contract with a company that will provide aerial analysis of changes made to parcels of land in the county. Commissioners Bob Archer, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook voted 3-0 at Monday’s meeting to approve an $11,400 contract with Minneapolis-based Pushpin, the company that will provide the service. Shawnee County Appraiser Steve Bauman said Pushpin will provide “aerial imagery” that will show changes made to parcels between 2014 and 2018. The aerial imagery, produced by photos taken from airplanes, will show specific changes to properties throughout [...]

New video series teaches motorists, cyclists how to share the road

info2019-01-29T12:33:27-06:00January 29th, 2019|

A new series of educational videos aims to help both motorists and cyclists learn how to share the road. City of Lawrence staff and 28 volunteers created a series of eight new safety videos called “Lawrence in Gear,” according to a city news release. The release notes that bicycle safety education has historically focused on teaching bicycle riders how to navigate the roadways safely but that the video series aims to educate motorists about how cyclists use the roadways. The city produced the videos as part of the development of the Lawrence Bike Plan, according to the release. Read more: LJWorld.com.