News – Page 2394 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Tiny home village planned for Wichita is receiving opposition

info2018-08-09T07:43:15-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Brady Sherman proudly walks next to land that could soon house dozens of tiny homes. He's the CEO and co-founder of MicroMansions, a community targeted for millennials and empty-nesters. “They are luxurious, energy-efficient, affordable tiny homes with a Midwest flair," he said. "So it's more of the minimalistic lifestyle.” The homes will start from $75,000 to $100,000, with five designs to choose from. "The houses range from 400 to 600 square feet and there will be 90 in the first plat," Sherman said. But this tiny home idea is causing some huge concerns from nearby neighborhoods. There's a petition trying to [...]

Great Bend’s best possible outcomes for the problematic Great Bend Hotel

info2018-08-09T07:40:59-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Among the Great Bend properties abated by the City Council Monday night was former Highland Hotel (now known as the Great Bend Hotel and Convention Center), a local landmark that has fallen into disrepair. Located at 3017 10th St., trash cans around the site are over flowing, weeds have been allowed to grow and other maintenance has not been done, City Sanitarian Austin LaViolette said. Even after city personnel and volunteer private citizens have fought back the vegetation, it is still an eyesore. A member of the meeting audience asked what could be done about it. Sadly, officials said, not much [...]

Derby Historical Society Museum finally free of window, roof leaks

info2018-08-09T07:24:13-05:00August 9th, 2018|

It’s been a lot of work, but the advances made by the city’s only museum are making its president smile. “I’ve seen a lot of progress this year,” said John Rhodes, president of the executive board of directors of the Derby Historical Society Museum. Much of that progress is simply protecting the exhibits from the elements in the decades-old building at 208 N. Westview. Recently, a windows replacement project was completed and a new roof added, cutting out leaks. “We had real problems, but the contents are finally safe,” Rhodes said. “We’re getting the building in good shape.” The museum, which [...]

Salina, Clay Center housing projects get boost from state

info2018-08-09T07:18:24-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Two north-central Kansas housing projects are among 11 initiatives across the state that will receive Kansas Housing Resources Corporation financing. The awards, offered as deferred-payment loans, are funded through HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program and the National Housing Trust Fund, which provide federal funds to expand access to affordable rental housing. Lee Hardware Lofts in Salina, being developed by Overland Property Group and Community Housing Development Corp. of Central Kansas, will receive $500,000 in HOME funds for its conversion of the historic Lee Mercantile building on North Santa Fe Avenue. The building will be converted to 53 apartments. Parkview Plaza Apartments [...]

Miami County seeks federal funding for off-system bridges

info2018-08-09T07:15:11-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Miami County officials are preparing to submit four proposed bridge replacement projects to the Kansas Department of Transportation in the hope that one of them will be selected for federal off-system bridge funds. If one of the submitted projects is selected, Oehlert said the bridge replacement project would take place in 2020. The federal off-system bridge grant would provide 80 percent of the project cost, with Miami County being required to cover the remaining 20 percent. The grants can be awarded up to $1 million. The county has used federal off-system bridge funding for multiple projects in the past, including $1 [...]

Roeland Park considers rezoning vacant Johnson Drive building for use as dry cleaner

info2018-08-09T07:10:47-05:00August 9th, 2018|

The Roeland Park city council took up the issue of rezoning 5000 Johnson Drive from an office building district to a mixed use district at the governing body workshop Monday. The long-vacant building was recently purchased by the owner of Pride Cleaners. Kathleen Warman, of Warman Architects, spoke on behalf of Pride Cleaners and described the extensive exterior remodeling and parking lot reconfiguration planned for the site. Warman said the owner was also willing to add a public sidewalk to improve walkability. While councilmembers generally agreed the plans significantly improved the look of the building, the updates do not comply with [...]

In 2040 planning project, Lenexa residents envision a future for city that’s ‘thriving, connected and livable’

info2018-08-09T07:09:44-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Thriving, connected and livable: These are three recurring descriptors that have emerged from Lenexa residents who have taken part in Vision 2040, the city’s long-range visioning project. Vision 2040 started on Feb. 21, when Mayor Michael Boehm called for volunteers during his state of the city speech for steering committee meetings, task forces and community forums. The process is about halfway completed. Organizers expect to finish their work in November and present their final findings to the City Council, Sheila Shockey of Lenexa-based Shockey Consulting, who is conducting the Vision 2040 effort, told the council at its Tuesday night meeting. The [...]

Downtown Wichita developer says rental market might be under-supplied soon

info2018-08-09T07:08:20-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Wichita rents are down slightly, according to a national report, but one developer says downtown is a hot market. A recently-released Apartment List report shows that Wichita rents were down by a modest 0.6 percent in July and down 0.3 percent year-over-year. While Apartment List describes the Wichita rental market as “cool with soft demand,” developer Jason Van Sickle says the downtown market is healthy. “Things are really strong downtown right now,” Van Sickle says. “I know that the Colorado Derby Lofts and River Vista are leasing up nicely. I hear the same from other downtown apartment owners and managers.” “I [...]

Harvey County Historical Society Museum adds ‘mule’ to collection

info2018-08-09T07:04:17-05:00August 9th, 2018|

An old mule was reunited with an old friend and coworker Aug. 7 with help of a retired teacher, the county historical society and the Harvey County Road and Bridge Department. Put into place using a county crane, the mule — an old tractor-type vehicle — was hitched up to a former railroad cart used as a luggage rack and more in the heyday of passenger rail at the Newton train station. According to Jim Meier, superintendent of the Harvey County Road and Bridge Department, a search of the mule’s serial number showed a manufacture date of 1949. At the time, [...]

Sunday liquor sales pass by wide margin in Emporia

info2018-08-09T06:58:42-05:00August 9th, 2018|

Emporians voted in favor of Sunday alcohol sales Tuesday, approving a measure passed by the Emporia City Commission in April. A petition to put the ballot up to a city-wide vote received enough signatures, and residents living within city limits had the opportunity to let their voices be heard on the matter in Tuesday's Kansas Primary Election. The measure passed with 1,954 (57.76 percent) "Yes" votes opposed to 1,352 (42.24 percent) "No." As a result, Emporians will be able to purchase liquor in the city on Sundays after the election results are certified. Emporia City Commissioner Rob Gilligan said he was [...]