Kansas Municipal News
Hutch City Council adopts rental license code
The Hutchinson City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve a new Residential Rental Licensing and Inspection code that some landlords opposed.
“We will be voting; we will be voting today,” said Jill Gumble, president of the Central Kansas Landlord Association to the council, immediately after the morning vote.
Three of the four yes votes came from incumbents seeking re-election Tuesday: Mayor David Inskeep, and Councilmembers Steve Dechant and Jade Piros de Carvalho. Councilmember Nancy Soldner also voted for the new program and Councilmember Jon Daveline voted no.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
County receives pool of administrator applicants
Reno County received “a good pool” of applicants for the County Administrator post that will open with the retirement of Gary Meagher, County Human Resources Director Renee Harris said.
She couldn’t say how many applications were received, however, noting they were all passed on to Elizabeth Tatarko, vice president of Austin Peters Group, the search firm the county has hired to assist in the search.
Tatarko referred all questions to Harris.
She could say the applications were both “local and from out-of-state,” Harris said.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Wrong ballots handed out in Thayer
Some rural voters at the Thayer polling location received city ballots, and election officials will determine what impact that will have on the Thayer city election.
Neosho County Attorney Linus Thuston said Tuesday afternoon that he talked with Neosho County Clerk Heather Elsworth and County Counselor Seth Jones after Elsworth notified him about the problem. He said they would determine the impact after the polls closed and they could compare results.
Thuston said there was no indication the problem was intentional, but was the result of anomalies created when the state cut election funding and consolidated polling places.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)
Lenexa may become first city to implement large-scale smart road infrastructure
Lenexa City Center may become the first place in the country to showcase the real-world application of major smart infrastructure technologies.
Integrated Roadways, a Kansas City, Missouri-based supplier of smart pavement materials and transportation technology, posed the idea to the Lenexa city council Tuesday night.
The company has a similar but smaller-scale project on Brighton Boulevard in Denver, but if Lenexa city leaders agree to allow the company to install smart pavement at City Center, then the city would become the first to host a large-scale smart pavement project in a live-traffic environment.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Johnson County board approves plan to downsize little-used bus routes, considers expanding microtransit
The already limited county fixed-route bus system is about to get even more so next year, with the elimination or downsizing of several fixed routes.
County commissioners voiced approval for route changes that could amount to $1.2 million to $1.4 million savings on some of the least-used routes. At the same time they delayed decisions on whether to beef up other routes, saying they want more information.
Instead most commissioners enthusiastically embraced expansion of a micro transit system that resembles Uber as the mass transit of the future. Micro transit riders would likely pay a higher fare than the base $1.50 now charged for the typical bus ride.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
USD 232 board approves master site plan for De Soto High campus
The USD 232 Board of Education has approved a master site plan for the campus of De Soto High School.
The plan includes a configuration of new projects behind the high school as well as additional parking and a new access road from 87th Street.
In a presentation Monday night before the school board, Steve Deghand, director of facilities for the district, said the goal in creating a master site plan was to plan ahead and create a comprehensive layout of all future projects on the campus that would make efficient use of available space. Milburn Civil Engineering of De Soto facilitated the master site planning process.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Shawnee planning commission says Stag’s Spring project conforms to city’s comprehensive plan
The Shawnee planning commission last night affirmed that Stag’s Spring, a $16.1 million proposed luxury housing project downtown, conforms to the city’s comprehensive plan.
Doug Allmon, community development director for Shawnee, said the commission was tasked with determining if the project plan conforms to the intent of the city’s comprehensive plan. This step takes place before a public hearing on TIF funds for Stag’s Spring can take place. The developer, Kevin Tubbesing, has requested $3.1 million of public funds for the project in the form of tax increment financing.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Russell County voters fail another school bond
A majority of voters in Russell County voted no to a USD 407 school bond, which sought to find solutions for HVAC and electric upgrades.
In February, Russell High School had to close for several days when a boiler went out. USD 407 schools were built between 1938 and 1962 and do not feature air conditioning or a central air component.
Voters failed a $17.5M bond in April 2019.
This month, the school district tried again with a $9.9M bond. Results show 60 percent of voters voted against the measure yesterday.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Mayor Jeff Longwell concedes, says city is in “good place” right now
Mayor Jeff Longwell lost the mayoral race Tuesday to challenger Brandon Whipple.
With his wife at his side, Longwell wanted to say congratulations to Brandon Whipple.
“I called to concede the race and tell him I will be there if he has any questions in the transition,” said Longwell. “I also wanted to tell him congratulations.”
(Read more: KSN-TV)
70 bikes to be available when the JCPRD RideKC Bike Share Program begins in spring
The Johnson County Park and Recreation District has placed 34 orange and white bicycles around the county to get residents acquainted with a new bike-sharing program that will be fully deployed next year.
The three-speed pedal bikes were installed on Oct. 25 and will remain until mid-November, when they will go into storage for the winter. A total of 70 bikes will be available when the JCPRD RideKC Bike Share Program is fully launched next spring.
“By making the bikes available for rent,” said project manager Mark Allen, “we’re hoping for patrons to experience more of their parks, by making it easy and affordable to get on two wheels.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
KDOT Cost Share Program projects selected
Gov. Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced this morning the 22 projects selected across the state as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s new Cost Share Program. These projects total nearly $74 million in state, local, federal and private investment in transportation improvements statewide.“These projects demonstrate communities’ commitments to improve the quality of life for their citizens and to do so in a practical manner,” said Gov. Kelly. “This program also demonstrates the great things that happen when communities and the state work together.”Nearly 100 applications were submitted in the first round of the program from across Kansas.“There is pent up demand for transportation investments across our state,” Secretary Lorenz said. “I am excited to provide resources to help build safer, healthier and livelier communities that Kansans – young and old – want to make their forever homes.The program will provide funding to local entities for transportation projects that improve safety, support job retention and growth, improve access or mobility, relieve congestion and help areas across the state improve the transportation system.Funding for the $39 million in grant awards is part of the $216 million authorized by the Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly to remain in the state highway fund in fiscal year 2020. In addition to the Cost Share Program, those funds are being used to increase highway preservation, help complete delayed T-WORKS projects, improve safety and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.The next call for applications for the second round of projects will be announced next year.
(Read more: Kansas Transportation)
Alcohol may be allowed outside for some events on Main Street
Wine and beer may become added attractions to downtown festivals and events in the future.
During a Monday evening meeting, city commissioners heard about a common consumption area ordinance that will be coming their way soon, possibly at their next regular meeting on Nov. 18.
Common consumption areas were legalized in Kansas in 2017. They allow people to carry alcoholic beverages in and out of buildings and on the streets and sidewalks of a designated area.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Overland Park council expands neighborhood notification requirement for development projects
A new set of rules requiring neighborhood meetings for some development projects got final approval from the Overland Park City Council, despite a last-minute assertion that the city’s renters should get more consideration.
Councilmember Logan Heley noted that nearly half of the city’s population is made up of renters with more coming as new multi-use and senior living projects are being built. He proposed language requiring developers to make a good faith effort to notify tenants as well as property owners within 500 feet of a project about an upcoming neighborhood meeting.
“I won’t support a change that puts certain residents on a higher class than other residents,” Heley said.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Advisors recommend changing Kansas Avenue to 3 lanes
Arkansas City commissioners today will consider several recommendations from a Traffic Safety Committee that involve a major change to Kansas Avenue and some to Summit Street.
The commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to look at the possibility of re-striping Kansas Avenue between 15th Street and Summit Street to just three lanes. That change would create one southbound lane, a northbound lane and a center-turn lane.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Ark City and Winfield recycling examination continues
Discussions about the future of recycling in Winfield and Arkansas City continue, with a focus on reducing the amount of contamination in recycled materials.
During a recent audit of the recycling streams in both Winfield and Arkansas City, material samples were taken from 80 customer recycling carts in Winfield and one community recycling trailer in Arkansas City. The data from these samples showed a contamination rate of 16 percent in Winfield and 22 percent in Arkansas City, based on the weight of the materials collected.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
KDOT announces approved October bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas.
The letting took place Oct. 17 in Topeka.
Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.
Cowley — K‑15 Highway, from the west junction of U.S. 166 Highway north to the K‑15 junction with U.S. 160 Highway, ultra thin bonded asphalt surfacing, 12.2 miles, APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, Hutchinson, $1,031,339.91.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
BOE to decide traffic agreement
At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Derby Public Schools Board of Education got a first look at an agreement with the city to develop a new traffic signal at Derby High School.
With the goal of decreasing congestion and accident risk during drop-off and pickup hours, the signal would be placed at Rock Road and Pinion Road – about halfway between James Street and Madison Avenue.
The existing signal just north of that intersection would be removed.
(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)
Great Bend legalizes the use of UTVs on city streets
With a 6-1 vote Monday, the Great Bend City Council moved forward with legalizing Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) and Side-by-Sides on city streets.
At an October meeting, the governing body directed that an ordinance be prepared to allow the registration and operation of Side-by-Sides in city limits. Great Bend City Attorney Bob Suelter drafted an ordinance following the existing ordinance used by Dodge City.
Mayor Joe Andrasek noted the UTVs are not any louder than motorcycles.
“These vehicles are noticeably quieter than your conventional Harley motorcycle,” said Andrasek. “It is my understanding that if one of these vehicles is too loud, the owner can be cited for that.”
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
KDOT selects Great Bend’s project to resurface 10th & SRCA Dragstrip to receive funding
Gov. Laura Kelly and Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz announced this morning the 22 projects selected across the state as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s new Cost Share Program. These projects total nearly $74 million in state, local, federal and private investment in transportation improvements statewide.
Great Bend’s application to resurface most of 10th Street (US 56) and the SRCA Dragstrip was selected as one of the projects. Barton County’s push to make improvements at the Redwing intersection was also selected.
“These projects demonstrate communities’ commitments to improve the quality of life for their citizens and to do so in a practical manner,” said Gov. Kelly. “This program also demonstrates the great things that happen when communities and the state work together.”
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
A community vision plan for Great Bend revealed
In the summer of 2017, members of Barton County Young Professionals were meeting with at-the-time interim Great Bend City Administrator George Kolb. Kolb challenged the group to think about Great Bend’s future and what they wanted to the city to look like 20 years from now. Shortly after the interaction with Kolb, BCYP secured funding from the Harm Trust to hire Shockey Consulting to form a visioning process and strategic plan.
The visioning group, Great Bend Better than Great, brought in 55 community members to form a steering committee and received public feedback on goals for the city going forward.
Great Bend Better than Great Co-Chair Mark Mingenback says those goals are established and ready for the implementation phase.
“The risk with a plan like this is does it just go onto a shelf,” said Mingenback. “The shelf gets dusty, and then in a few years people look at this and wonder what it is. Being concerned about that, we have a plan to map the future and hold parties accountable for the goals.”
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
Four of the five board members selected for Great Bend Economic Development
Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting revealed four of the five names that will make up the Board of Directors for the newly created Great Bend Economic Development.
Mayor Joe Andrasek announced that Jolene Biggs and Barry Bowers will serve on the board from the City Council, while Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman AJ Chrest notified the council of their two selections.
“The Chamber’s two appointees will be Mark Calcara and Mark Chalfant,” said Chrest.
Biggs, Bowers, Calcara, and Chalfant will be in charge of reviewing the other applicants to determine the at-large board member which will be announced at the Nov. 18 meeting.
(Read more: Great Bend Post)
Bridge replacement over Cedar Creek planned in Smith County
The Kansas Department of Transportation this week expects to begin a bridge replacement project along K-9 in Smith County.
Crews will be replacing the bridge over Cedar Creek located approximately one mile east of Cedar. Work this winter will consist of constructing a temporary bridge and shoofly detour in preparation for the bridge replacement work to take place next spring. The project is expected to be completed by November 2020, weather permitting.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Geary County is preparing for future delinquent property tax sale
Geary County officials have taken a step toward holding a delinquent property tax sale.
County Commission Chair Charles Stimatze explained there has been a filing in District Court for a tax sale for 96 properties. “As of two weeks ago when they’ve filed the county counselor has collected $822, 954.42 ( in delinquent taxes ).
(Read more: Junction City Post)
KDOT announces approved October bids
The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas.
The letting took place Oct. 17, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.
District One — Northeast
Brown: U.S. Highway 75, striping from the Brown/Jackson county line to the Brown/Nemaha county line and rumble strips from south of the Fairview interchange north to the U.S. Highway 75/Kansas Highway 246 junction, pavement marking, 24.2 miles, Twin Traffic Marking Corporation, Kansas City, Kan., $341,583.60.
(Read more: Sabetha Herald)
Despite some reservations, Shawnee planning commission advances scaled-down plan for Westbrooke Green
Despite reservations from some members, the Shawnee planning commission last night agreed that a revised, scaled down plan for Westbrooke Green, a multimillion-dollar mixed-use project on the northeast corner of 75th and Quivira, still generally conforms to the intent of the city’s comprehensive plan.
The planning commission had agreed in November 2017 that the project was consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan. Representatives with MP Westbrooke North LLC, the developer, said they have been working on plans that fit the site; they have found the revised plans would better suit the character of the neighborhood.
Westbrooke Green is one of a handful of projects getting extra scrutiny from city leaders, as the developer has received public incentives in the form of tax increment financing to help fund the development.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Federal Lawmakers Push ‘.Gov’ Web Addresses For Local Governments
Federal agencies and states tend to have website addresses that end in “.gov,” a signal to users that they’re clicking on official sources of government information.
But across local governments, domain names are more of a mixed bag and might end in “.com,” “.org,” or “.us.” While this may seem trivial, experts say it opens the door for “spoofing,” where criminals post imposter websites that can trick the public in a variety of ways.
Look-alike department of motor vehicle sites, where people can get scammed out of cash, or have personal information stolen, and artificial elections websites that might direct people to the wrong polling place, are just two potential examples.
(Read more: Route Fifty – All Content)
Valet parking for bicycles? It could be a thing at Wichita’s new baseball park
If you ride a $1,000 bicycle to a ballgame at Wichita’s new stadium, how do you make sure it will be there when you’re ready to ride home?
Valet parking for bicycles is one answer that a city committee is proposing.
The Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board is recommending “bike valets” as a way to protect the bikes and encourage cycle commuting to the new $75 million ballpark that will soon be the home field of the Triple-A minor league team now known as the New Orleans Baby Cakes.
(Read more: Local News |)
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Lawrence City Commission to consider purchasing body cameras for police department
City leaders will soon consider a contract to purchase body cameras for all Lawrence police officers.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider authorizing the police department to enter into a five-year contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. for $1.26 million, which will be funded in part by a $231,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a city staff memo to the commission. The contract covers the purchase of 154 body cameras and associated software and hardware and will outfit all members of the police force with a camera.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
In Douglas County case, U.S. Supreme Court seems OK with car stop based on owner’s invalid license
The Supreme Court seems ready to say police may pull over a car when they know only that its owner’s license is not valid — even if they don’t know who’s driving.
The issue of traffic stops based on information gleaned from motor vehicle records has become more pressing with the advent of automated license plate readers that can run hundreds of plates a minute.
The justices indicated in arguments Monday that they would reverse a Kansas high court ruling that found police violated a driver’s constitutional rights when they stopped his pickup based only on information that the truck owner’s license had been suspended.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Commission accepts bid to kill water weed at Lake Shawnee
Compared apples-to-apples, the apparent low bid Shawnee County received recently to kill a specific type of water weed at Lake Shawnee turned out to be higher than that of a competitor, the county commission learned Monday.
Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays then voted 3-0 to instead enter into a contract with that competitor, Truesdale, Mo.-based Aquatic Control Inc.
Aquatic Control’s bid was “the most comprehensive and most competitive” the county received, Cook said.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Reno County again takes up two major bridge projects next week
The Reno County Commission will take up three resolutions for work involving two bridges when they meet next week.
One had to do with replacing the 43rd Avenue bridge just east of the old K-61 highway, the other is a bridge over the Arkansas River South of Nickerson.
The first resolution is to determine the necessity of construction, the second over approving the construction and the third is approving the bonding of the two projects.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Wichita recycler expands again by bringing another company back under local ownership
AllMetal Recycling has expanded yet again, this time by bringing a longtime Kansas company back under local ownership.
Glickman Metal Recycling started in 1910 and sold to Oklahoma-based Yaffe Cos. in 2002.
Last week, AllMetal purchased Glickman from Yaffe, which still has operations in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.
(Read more: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |)
Rural Entrepreneurship Resource Event hosted by Phillips Co. Eco-Devo
Entrepreneurship comes with both its challenges and its rewards. As an entrepreneur, you might sometimes feel as if you’re flying solo and dream of having a co-pilot to help steer you around the many obstacles that you face during the course of your everyday business.
EshipConnect brings you an opportunity to talk to some of the leading business professionals in western Kansas; allowing you to ask the questions that matter most to you and your business. Whether you are an established entrepreneur or you’re thinking of taking that leap of faith to start your own business, our panel of resource professionals will provide you with the assistance you need. So get ready to build your network and make some connections to help develop upon your existing hard work and talents.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Hutchinson ready to take action on rental program
The Hutchinson City Council will take action on the new rental inspection program during Tuesday’s agenda session.
The city is proposing a licensing fee structure with incentives rather than the current permit fee. The Housing Commission has denied a recommendation on the proposal. That came during a meeting on Oct. 19 on a 4-2 vote.
“There were still some concerns from the housing commissioners that is this really going to solve any of the problems,” Planning Director Ryan Hvitlok said. “We also had two new slots filled on the commission so that changed the vote a little.” Several other members of the commission were absent, which also skewed the numbers, according to Hvitlok.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Wichita Transit is giving free rides to the polls on election day
Wichita Transit is offering a day of free rides on all traditional bus routes for Tuesday’s general election.
A transit spokesperson said free rides on November 5 are valid for everyone riding to or from polling locations as well as any other trip during the day. Riders do not need to provide documentation of voting to receive a ride.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
KDHE issues boil water advisory for Spring Hill, Johnson County RWD 7
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil order water advisory for Spring Hill, a portion of Johnson County RWD 7 located south of Highway 56 and the Miami County RWD 2 in Kansas.
Customers of Johnson Co RWD 7 north of Highway 56 are served by water originating from Olathe and as such are not subject to the advisory.
KDHE officials said they issued the advisory because of high turbidity. High turbidity in a distribution system may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.
(Read more: KMBC)
Johnson County commissioners express concern with potential expansion of mail-in ballot distribution
The Johnson County Commission is not on board with possible new efforts to expand the list of voters who can get ballots in the mail automatically every election.
Commissioners made a last-minute addition to their legislative agenda Thursday that implied disapproval of what Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker said is likely to be a push to allow more of the automatic mailings. The legislative agenda is a list of positions taken by commissioners every year on issues likely to come up in the next session.
The commission originally considered writing a platform plank that would “oppose” any changes, but changed it to more passive wording to “support the current statute” lest the public think they oppose advance voting in general.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Secretary of State speaks to clerks about election security
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab stopped by the Finney County Clerk’s Office on Monday, one of many visits he and his team made ahead of Tuesday’s Election Day.
The visit, he said, was largely to speak to clerks about this week’s election and prepare for the higher profile 2020 election.
“We want to make sure we’re focusing on security, security, security, security. We’re not just dealing with nefarious political activists — we’re dealing with foreign nationals,” Schwab said. “And so we’re working with our clerks to let them know what we see, so if they see it then they can report it and we can stop it.”
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
New numbers suggest Lawrence’s commuter population is growing rapidly
Tucked between Topeka and Kansas City, Lawrence long has been known as a town with plenty of commuters. But the city never has been able to say this before: If you live in Lawrence and have a job, it is now more likely than not that your job is located outside of Lawrence.
New federal and state data show that 53% of all Lawrence residents who have a job commute outside the city to get to that job. That number, which is for 2017, is up from 42% at the beginning of the decade and 36% from 2002, which is as far back as this particular Census Bureau program tracks data.
Lawrence is not the commuting capital of Kansas. Many small towns in the state have more than 80% of their employed residents commuting to larger towns for work. But among large Kansas cities, Lawrence does seem to have the fastest growing population of commuters.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Rural Kansas grass fire burns 300-400 acres; multiple agencies assist
Authorities are investigating the cause of a Sunday afternoon grass fire in Harvey County.
The fire in the 3800 block of North Sand Hill Road northeast of Burrton burned about 300 to 400 acres of land, according to a media release.
The spread of the fire was stopped, and there are no injuries or damage to homes reported at this time.
…
Fire departments from Burrton, Halstead, Hesston, Newton, Sedgwick, Buhler, Hutchinson and Moundridge responded.
(Read more: The Salina Post)
Facts about proposed changes to Manhattan’s Public Nudity Ordinance
The Manhattan City Commission will consider an amendment to Manhattan’s public nudity ordinance at the upcoming November 5, 2019, legislative meeting. First adopted in 2003, the existing ordinance makes it unlawful to publicly display female breasts or male or female buttocks or genitals. The ordinance contains exceptions from prosecution, including for breastfeeding mothers.
The proposed amendment removes the female breast from the definition of public nudity, in reaction to a court case that applies in Kansas. If the amendment is adopted, Manhattan’s public nudity ordinance will continue to prohibit the display of male or female buttocks or genitals in public. Even as amended, Manhattan’s public nudity ordinance will still be stricter than many areas of Kansas.
(Read more: Manhattan – News Flash)
‘Tax guzzlers:’ Developer tax breaks a defining issue of Johnson County’s elections
When the $2 billion Brookridge Golf Course redevelopment was first proposed for Overland Park, resident Stephan Glentzer showed up to city meetings with a cardboard sign. It read, “No TIF, no OP taxes.”
Five years later, he’s still carrying the same sign.
After years of going back to the drawing board, a new iteration of the massive project is crawling through City Hall. And this time, the developer — looking to build luxury apartments, offices and retail northeast of Interstate 435 and Antioch Road — is requesting more than $200 million in TIF money, or tax increment financing, and other tax breaks.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Rooks County Health Center will have open house for new rehab center
Sunday marks the official opening of Rooks County Health Center’s new dedicated Rehabilitation Center and a key piece of the hospital’s two-phase expansion. RCH invites the public to attend an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday offering tours of the new facility, demonstrations and light refreshments. Visitors to the open house, as well as all patients attending rehabilitation appointments, are encouraged to use the new north-side parking lot and entrance for direct access to the new hospital wing at 1210 N. Washington.
After an 18 month construction process, RCH received its certificate of occupancy from the fire marshal’s office which enabled the Rehab department to start seeing patients in the new building on October 21.
“We moved all the Rehab equipment in as soon as we could after getting the OK from the fire marshal so that those attending appointments for Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy were able to start using the space last week,” commented AJ Thomas, the CEO of RCH. “We still have some final touches before interior construction is completed but we can work around those areas for now.”
(Read more: Hays Post)
Douglas Design District is at a crossroads, but not everyone is on the same street
If the Douglas Design District were a family, it would be one with the usual spats and drama.
“It’s like any large family,” said Jeff Breault, who owns R&J Discount Liquor near Douglas and Hillside. “There’s going to be a lot of infighting around the dinner table.”
It’s all part of the growing pains of a 12-year-old district that is on the precipice of jumping from a mostly volunteer-led group to potentially becoming the city’s first business improvement district, or BID. A BID would assess a mandatory fee levied by the city in the most prominent part of the district along East Douglas to make improvements to the area.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)