Lenexa wraps up Complete Streets study, unveils draft plan for transportation in city

After more than a year of gathering data on the city’s transportation network, Lenexa has prepared a draft of its Complete Streets plan.

The city’s Complete Streets program attempts to address the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transit users in a comprehensive plan designed to create a safer, more connected community in all forms of transportation.

“It identifies areas where we’re looking to focus improvements to make our city a little bit more complete to provide for transportation services for all users of all ages and all abilities,” said Steve Schooley, transportation manager. “We’ve been doing I think a pretty decent job of looking at Complete Streets, but this is to give us maybe a better, more holistic approach on things.”

Ranson Financial2019-09-08T21:18:45-05:00September 8, 2019|News|

K-State announces $105M in capital improvement project

Kansas State announced a $105 million capital improvement project Saturday that includes a large renovation of Bill Snyder Family Stadium and additional projects to help other athletic programs.

The school already has raised $69 million for the work, which will begin in May.

The biggest projects involve the football program. The stadium will get new south end zone suites along with a new indoor practice facility, and outdoor practice fields will be built next door.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ranson Financial2019-09-08T21:13:08-05:00September 8, 2019|News|

CVB supports the Gastro Park idea

The Geary County CVB Director Michelle Stimatze is on board with a proposal to establish a new Gastro Park in the 900 block of North Washington in downtown Junction City.

Stimatze noted that when long term groups such as contractors come into the city they want things to do. “Not only would it add a unique atmosphere to the downtown area, and I think we would defintely see some results from it.

Stimatze also sees the proposed project as a potential boost to the transient guest tax paid by visitors to the community using local lodging facilities.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Ranson Financial2019-09-08T21:11:55-05:00September 8, 2019|News|

Elected officials to discuss sign rules, sheriff’s office expansion

City of Topeka sign rules and the potential construction of more office space for the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office are among topics local elected officials plan to take up this coming week.

The Shawnee County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in its chambers in Room B-11 of the County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. The Topeka City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in its chambers at 214 S.E. 8th.

Commissioners will consider authorizing Sheriff Brian Hill to seek qualifications information from companies interested in being hired to build additional walls and offices at the sheriff’s office headquarters at the Law Enforcement Center, 320 S. Kansas Ave.

That office needs to add office space and create a secure area for its criminal investigations division, Hill told commissioners in a recent memorandum.

Ranson Financial2019-09-08T21:08:31-05:00September 8, 2019|News|

Block22 plans open house, public forums

Tours and panel discussions of the award-winning Block22 Project are set for Thursday.

Block22 is a mixed-use development involving Pittsburg State University, the city of Pittsburg and the Vecino Group, a Springfield, Missouri-based real estate developer. The parties invested approximately $18 million to restore and renovate four historic downtown buildings — Commerce, Baxter, National Bank and Opera House Hotel.

The buildings were turned into student housing, offices and homes for small businesses, including restaurants and coffee shops. It also included an area known as The Foundry, a downtown business incubator with a conference room, collaborative workspace and professional offices.

(Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)

Ranson Financial2019-09-08T21:00:22-05:00September 8, 2019|News|

Interior announces over $170 million in grants going to state parks and recreation

The U.S. Department of Interior announced over $170 million in grants funded without taxpayer dollars will be distributed to state parks and outdoor recreation projects in all 50 states.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Thursday that $170,623,713 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will be implemented by the National Park Service.

The grants aren’t funded by taxpayer dollars since the LWCF is funded by revenue generated from offshore oil and gas leasing.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Ranson Financial2019-09-08T20:55:53-05:00September 8, 2019|News|

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Ranson Financial2019-09-05T23:30:51-05:00September 5, 2019|News|

Planners recommend wind farm ban near Parsons

The public will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed ban of commercial wind turbines in the area surrounding Parsons during an Oct. 15 public hearing.

The Parsons Planning Commission voted 5-1 in a special meeting Thursday evening to recommend the city commission approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would limit the height of wind turbines to 200 feet, including blade length, in the extraterritorial area. The planners didn’t want an outright ban of all turbines because some residents outside the city may want to install their own residential units, which are much smaller than those for commercial use.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Ranson Financial2019-09-05T23:06:29-05:00September 5, 2019|News|

Parsons prepares for 5G infrastructure

The city of Parsons is continuing with a plan for wireless companies to place infrastructure in town that could lead to the expansion of the fifth generation of cellular technology.

City Attorney Ross Albertini told city commissioners Monday that he is working on an ordinance that would outline the process for wireless companies to use the city right of way to add minitowers in town. He also is working on a master license agreement for each wireless company wanting to add the infrastructure.

At first the wireless companies only want to add minitowers to enhance service at busy locations such as schools. The minitowers later could be used for the 5G network, although many more would be needed.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Ranson Financial2019-09-05T23:05:34-05:00September 5, 2019|News|

Great Bend USD bond issues defeated

Voters in Great Bend USD 428 rejected two bond issue proposals in a mail ballot election Thursday.The first question proposed up to $41.75 million in bonds for safety and security renovations, and for improvements to all school buildings and to the maintenance and transportation building. The plan also would have added a wing for sixth-graders to attend Great Bend Middle School, and would have installed pre-kindergarten at all elementary schools.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2019-09-05T23:04:44-05:00September 5, 2019|News|