This JoCo downtown could get ‘first big redevelopment.’ Will it force businesses out?

Olathe has been working for years to attract private development to its downtown — something other than government buildings, the Johnson County Jail and law offices. And finally, the city is poised to get it.

But the announcement of the downtown’s so-called “first big redevelopment” has led to a firestorm with neighbors, business owners and members of the 120-year-old Old Settlers group.

Indianapolis-based development company Milhaus is proposing two, four-story apartment buildings. One would take the place of the library at 201 E. Park St. The other would take over a city-owned public parking lot at the southwest corner of East Santa Fe and North Chestnut streets.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-11T20:45:35-06:00November 11, 2019|News|

Century II activist wants a better explanation for tax district expansion

In its first meeting after a contentious election, the Wichita City Council is being asked to approve millions of dollars in improvements and incentives for some of the mayor’s signature projects.

One community activist says the city should slow down …

The city’s proposing expanding a tax district west of the new baseball stadium, approving more than $100 million dollars in Industrial Revenue Bonds and signing a complicated development agreement for four downtown buildings that includes up to 500 city-owned parking spaces. The buildings are part of a new education complex that will include a medical school, a culinary arts school, hotel and student housing. About $90 million of the Industrial Revenue Bonds would support that education complex known as the Kansas Health Science Center.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-11-11T20:46:46-06:00November 11, 2019|News|

More than 200 people participate in Kansas City and Topeka local consult meetings this week

The more than 200 northeast Kansans who gathered in Topeka and Kansas City emphasized the importance of flexibility during the second round of Local Consult meetings this week.
KDOT used the input gathered at the first round of Local Consult meetings in August to shape not only the public input sessions that are underway now, but also the next major state transportation plan, known as FORWARD. The second round of meetings is designed to make sure we are on the right track with FORWARD’s design – and to make sure we better understand regional priorities for expansion and modernization projects.

(Read more: Kansas Transportation)

Ranson Financial2019-11-11T20:48:13-06:00November 11, 2019|News|

Kansas Gov. Kelly issues disaster declaration after grass fires rage in Cheyenne County

Governor Laura Kelly has issued a disaster declaration after multiple large grass fires broke out on Saturday in northwest Kansas.

The fires started in the morning on Nov. 9 near the Colorado border. Several homes were evacuated and other families were on standby, ready to leave if the fires grew out of control.

The fires, mainly two large ones, are now contained, but they first spread more than 19 miles along U.S. 36 Highway.

Picture from the National Weather Service out of Goodland, Kansas.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:33:04-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

Library makes way for new apartments in Olathe. But a new branch is coming to downtown

An Indianapolis company wants to build apartments where the Olathe Downtown Library is now, but library director Emily Baker assures residents that a public/private partnership is in the works to create a bigger, more modern library downtown.

The Milhaus development company is proposing to replace the library and its parking lot with two four-story apartment buildings containing 170 market-rate units, ground-floor office space and on-site amenities, said Emily Carrillo, senior planner for the city of Olathe. That development, southeast of Chestnut and Park streets, is known as Chestnut South.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:29:33-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

Wichita to operate the first electric buses in Kansas

The state’s first electric buses are coming to Wichita.

KCUR reports that the city’s first battery-powered bus will hit the roads this month, with 10 more expected to join the fleet next year.

The city’s transit director, Mike Tann, scored a nearly $2 million federal grant to purchase four low-emissions buses from ProTerra. He has also bought seven smaller electric buses to replace aging buses that look like old trolleys using another grant.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:26:55-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

USDA provides loans to three rural Kansas Electric Cooperatives

Three rural electric cooperatives serving south-central and southwestern Kansas will receive more than $32 million in financing to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in their regions.

Nationally, USDA is providing $1.4 billion in financing to 27 projects through its Electric Loan Program.

In Kansas, the following electric cooperatives received financing:

• Ark Valley Electric Cooperative Association Inc. will receive a $5.74 million loan.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:25:07-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

Mayor, council to consider adopting new Topeka flag

A white, five-pointed star at Topeka’s site on the state map is among features of a proposed new city flag put forth last spring by Forge, the city’s young professionals association.

Topeka’s mayor and city council will consider adopting that flag when they meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th.

The Shawnee County Commission won’t meet Monday because of the Veterans Day holiday.

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:23:59-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

Kansas’ annual tax revenue projection surges $207 million

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican leaders of the Legislature offered conflicting interpretations Friday of new tax revenue projections placing an extra $207 million in the state government’s treasury during the current fiscal year.

If the assessment by university economists and executive and legislative branch analysts holds, state lawmakers would end the 12-month budget cycle in June 2020 with more than $900 million on deposit.

Pressure by the governor to deepen public investment in education, Medicaid expansion, transportation, child welfare and other programs during the 2020 legislative session would influence the bottom line, just as GOP demands for tax cuts would diminish cash reserves.

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:22:28-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

With Brookridge package on the table in Overland Park, county commission debates its role in tax incentive proposals

Increased public pressure about tax incentives and the Brookridge development briefly caused county commissioners to debate their role in the project’s future Thursday.

The commission was getting an update about the Dec. 2 public hearing scheduled for the Overland Park golf course redevelopment when Commissioner Michael Ashcraft suggested commissioners “remand it back.” The package requested by the developer includes more than $200 million in incentives through tax increment financing and a community improvement district.

Although it’s too late for the commission to veto a tax increment financing district for the project, commissioners took the opportunity to express some frustration that information on how public financing could affect the county comes later than they would like.

Ranson Financial2019-11-10T22:16:09-06:00November 10, 2019|News|

This JoCo downtown could get ‘first big redevelopment.’ Will it force businesses out?

Century II activist wants a better explanation for tax district expansion

More than 200 people participate in Kansas City and Topeka local consult meetings this week

Kansas Gov. Kelly issues disaster declaration after grass fires rage in Cheyenne County

Library makes way for new apartments in Olathe. But a new branch is coming to downtown

Wichita to operate the first electric buses in Kansas

USDA provides loans to three rural Kansas Electric Cooperatives

Mayor, council to consider adopting new Topeka flag

Kansas’ annual tax revenue projection surges $207 million

With Brookridge package on the table in Overland Park, county commission debates its role in tax incentive proposals

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