A plan to install signal horns at two railroad crossings in Old Town Lenexa will cost substantially more than anticipated. The Lenexa City Council earlier this month unanimously approved an increase of $190,000 to the original price tag of $350,000 to install the signals, known as wayside horns, at the crossings at Noland and Pflumm Roads, in order to warn motorists of oncoming trains. That makes the total cost of the project now roughly $540,000. Last month, BNSF Railway reported to city staff that it needs to replace aging equipment at the two crossings. The company had intended to replace much of its equipment but told the city it could not obtain materials necessary for those upgrades because of the age of the existing system.
Source: Prairie Village Post

A proposed mixed-use project at 86th Street and State Line Road in Leawood has some nearby homeowners expressing concerns about the possible loss of green space the project could entail. The project, at 8680 State Line, would include 189 apartments, 66,900 square feet of office space and 32,250 square feet of retail space, on what is now a parking lot, the developer said in a notice sent to nearby homeowners. The site is zoned for planned office; single family, low-density residential; and mixed use, and it would require rezoning. The developer, Doug Weltner with State Line 87 LLC and executive vice president of Colliers International’s Kansas City office, did not return phone calls seeking comment on the project.
Source: Prairie Village Post

The city of Prairie Village’s diversity task force Tuesday evening met for the second time to continue its brainstorming session from September, including discussions about erasing racially discriminatory deed restrictions and implicit bias within the police department. Following the September meeting, Mikkelson said he’d received feedback — overwhelmingly positive and constructive feedback, that is — and addressed three “good faith suggestions:” the amount of white people on the task force, the fact that it’s being led by a straight, white male and the balance of being action-oriented and listening to the community. Mayor Eric Mikkelson spearheaded the diversity task force, which is charged with developing recommendations to the city council on ways to diversify Prairie Village — specifically to racially diversify the city at this time, though it does include diversification of sexual orientations and socio-economic incomes, as well.
Source: Prairie Village Post

After 31 years in law enforcement, Lenexa Police Chief Tom Hongslo is retiring in December. The city of Lenexa announced Hongslo’s upcoming retirement last month. Details about recruitment of the next police chief have not yet been released. “Got a little anxiety; it’s just a big change,” Hongslo said. “I’ve been doing this for 31 years. To think that on Dec. 19, I’ll no longer be a police officer and be part of this organization again, it’ll be sad. “But it’s a great time for the organization, it’s a great time for me. We’re in a really good spot right now, and I’m hoping that I have put the building blocks in place that whoever takes my spot, all they’ve got to do is keep improving.”
Source: Prairie Village Post