A more vibrant street life the goal for an OP corridor that’s not pedestrian-friendly

After reducing the number of traffic lanes on a mile-long section of College Boulevard — while adding 100 on-street parking spaces — Overland Park is preparing to take the next step toward making the College business corridor more inviting to visitors and the people who live and work in the area. Although highly regarded when developed, the College Boulevard corridor turned out to be rather sterile. Companies got a prestigious, high-visibility address, and employees could drive to the office doorsteps at 45 miles an hour and be assured of free parking. But the layout proved unwelcoming to pedestrians and discouraged the development of the restaurants and other venues that foster a vibrant street life.
Source: Joco 913 News

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:39:16-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Plans for a giant solar farm in southwest Johnson County are advancing

County planners and landowners are getting ready for a radically different type of farm planned for the area west of Gardner. Once it’s operational, the West Gardner Solar Project by NextEra Energy will be the largest such solar farm in the state, and a new type of energy-producing sight for Kansans more accustomed to seeing spinning wind turbines and nodding oil pumpers on the prairie. Some 2,000 acres have already been signed for the project, which is expected to generate 320 megawatts of power and could be online by 2023. The idea of such a massive solar farms is new enough to Johnson County that county planners had no rules governing things like setbacks and screening in place before being approached by NextEra.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:38:53-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

$5M tiny home village proposed to help Topeka’s homeless situation

A proposal for a $5.7 million “tiny home transitional village” could hold up to 200 beds for the homeless at the former site of Topeka’s tent city. Each tiny home costs less than $5,000 and could last 20 years, said Barry Feaker, executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission, when he presented the plan to city council Tuesday night. The units would be around 64 square feet, have electricity and a heater and air conditioner. He said it’s too early in the process to estimate when something could be completed — Tuesday was the first time he presented the full plan to city council.
Source: CJonline.com.

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:34:16-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

With limited interest from residents, Douglas County leaders have no immediate plans to expand commission from three members to five

Unless they hear from more Douglas County residents interested in the idea, county commissioners will not move forward with an election to increase the number of seats on the commission. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the commission discussed increasing the number of seats from three to five, which would require holding a public election. Commissioners said they had gotten limited feedback from the community on the topic, and unless that changed they did not think it warranted an effort to ensure the question got on the November ballot.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:32:02-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 28, 2021

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:24:11-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Governor Kelly issues new mask order for state facilities

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has issued a new order requiring state employees and visitors to wear masks inside state buildings and facilities. The order goes into effect Monday, August 2nd. The governor announced the order at a news conference Wednesday, and she said it was in response to new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control that call for fully vaccinated people to wear masks indoors in areas with increasing cases of COVID-19. The governor’s order applies to all state employees and visitors regardless of their vaccination status. The governor said the order is being issued because the delta variant of COVID-19 is significantly more contagious than other variants.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:23:44-05:00July 29, 2021|News|

Overland Park begins speaker series to prepare for comprehensive plan update

The city of Overland Park is beginning a speaker series on July 28 to prepare residents for its upcoming comprehensive plan update. Several speakers will discuss planning topics and receive feedback from residents prior to embarking on the comprehensive plan update, according to a city press release. The series details are as follows, as outlined online: Community revitalization and shifting suburbs on July 28 with speaker Ed McMahon of Urban Land Institute. The economics of land use in August 2021 with speaker AJ Fawver with Verdunity. Transportation in September 2021 with speaker Jason Scrieber with Stantec. Small-scale development and the role of density in October 2021 with speaker Matthew Petty with Incremental Development Alliance.
Source: Prairie Village Post

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:20:18-05:00July 28, 2021|News|

Worker rescued after trench collapse in Hutchinson

Rescue crews worked for over three hours Tuesday evening to free a man who was trapped in an eight-foot trench at a Hutchinson mobile home park. Crews were called to the 1700 block of East Blanchard around 5:20 p.m. to find a 24-year-old man who was trapped from the waist down after a wall collapsed in a trench. The worker was repairing a four-inch sewer line when the collapse occurred. Sedgwick County and Newton fire crews helped with the rescue operation, along with Reno County EMS and police from Hutchinson and South Hutchinson. The worker was removed from the trench shortly before 9 p.m. and he was reported to be in good spirits. He was taken to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:22:16-05:00July 28, 2021|News|

Wyandotte County leaders to meet in special session to discuss COVID health measures

Health officials will meet with Wyandotte County leaders in a special session Thursday evening to discuss COVID-19 and any health order recommendations, a spokeswoman for the Unified Government said Wednesday. Unified Government mayor and CEO David Alvey called the special session to be held at 5 p.m. Thursday … “The Unified Government Public Health Department will be presenting the latest data on COVID-19 and any recommendations to the Board of Commissioners,” said Ashley Hand, director of strategic communications for the Unified Government. “The elected Commission is the only body that is able to make any public health orders in Kansas, per state law.”
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:22:46-05:00July 28, 2021|News|

Derby board clerk Litona Hoyt ‘instrumental’ to district’s operations

Litona Hoyt, clerk for the Derby Board of Education and secretary for Derby’s superintendent, has always had a passion for public service. So when it came time to choose a career field, she knew she wanted to pursue one that would enable her to serve others. “I’ve always been big on community service,” she said. “After taking a few public administration courses, I really liked that aspect ’cause it felt like I had a purpose.”
Source: Derby Informer | News

Ranson Financial2021-07-29T07:29:45-05:00July 28, 2021|News|