Mary Armstrong knew that the I-35 and Santa Fe corridor project in Olathe would eventually displace her bar, Double Nickel. She said she attended a public meeting about the project last year, though she was under the impression that she would have more time at her current 189 Rogers Road digs. “They made it sound like it would be a while out,” she said. “Surprise. It’s not.” In December, she was given a 90-day demand letter from the city ordering her to vacate the rented space. Source: KC Star Local News

Despite cries that Lenexa would become “the Mecca” of homelessness, the city’s Planning Commission approved a change that could allow its temporary cold weather homeless shelter to serve more people — just months after the city rejected a plan for a permanent shelter. The commission also recommended a cap on the total number of individuals that can be served within city limits as well as stricter enforcement protocols if participants break the rules. The City Council will make the final decision during its Feb. 18 meeting. Source: KC Star Local News

A little over two years ago, local, state and federal officials gathered in a dirt lot on a windy day to celebrate construction beginning on Panasonic’s new electric vehicle battery facility in western Johnson County. Officials gathered again earlier this month to celebrate the plant — only this time inside the 4.7 million-square-foot facility. But there’s still a ways to go before the facility is fully operational. As of this month, Panasonic is just slightly behind its previously stated hiring goals, and it’s still unclear if it will meet its anticipated timeline for opening. Source: KC Star Local News

Residents of Westwood will vote this spring on the sale of a city park as part of a controversial commercial development project, a win for citizens who had pushed for the effort to get voter approval through a petition and a months-long legal battle. Westwood City Council members voted Thursday to put the question of whether the city would sell Joe D. Dennis Park before the public on the April 1 ballot. The election will take place by mail, city officials said. Source: KC Star Local News

The Overland Park City Council approved new standards that will limit the height of new apartment buildings in certain areas. The council voted Monday to amend development standards for multi-family housing that would streamline construction in some ways, while setting new restrictions in others. The changes are a step in a broader process in Overland Park to update standards and accommodate the city’s plans for future multi-family housing. City staff recommended the updates for various reasons, including to reflect the current state of construction projects and proposals coming to the city; stay in line with existing city practice; complement existing neighborhoods; [...]

Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools won the ability to sell $180 million in bonds Tuesday that officials plan to use for rebuilding its aging stock of school buildings. Voters approved a ballot initiative to issue the debt at a rate of about two to one, or 68%. The result comes six months after a more expansive, $420 million plan was rejected at the ballot box during a single-issue special election in May. A major difference between the two plans: the $180 million alternative was crafted in a way that will not increase property taxes, according to district officials. The bonds will [...]

Edwardsville residents voted Tuesday to create an additional sales tax that city officials plan to use for building a new City Hall, and police and fire stations. Voters supported two separate ballot measures that each carry a half-cent tax on every retail dollar spent in the town. Both passed by margins above 56%, according to unofficial results from the Wyandotte County Election Office. City leaders pitched the plan to residents as a necessary measure to rebuild aging and inadequate buildings. Source: KC Star Local News

On the Nov. 5 ballot for residents living within the boundaries of the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools district is a capital plan that would rebuild two middle schools, consolidate two elementary schools as one and put an addition on the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. It is a step district leaders say will enhance student opportunity in the district, one of the largest in the state, where some students learn in new buildings while others get by in crumbling facilities. The ask comes six months after voters widely rejected a more expansive effort that came with a $420 million [...]

The Prairie Village City Council voted Monday to ban short-term rentals in the city. The new rules, which require a 30-day minimum stay, go into effect Nov. 1, 2025. The change comes after months of discussion and public feedback landed on a ban. Prairie Village joins communities across the Kansas City metro in placing restrictions or outright bans on short-term rentals. The ban will impact listings on sites like Airbnb, which allows people to rent out private residences for short periods of time, similar to a hotel. Source: KC Star Local News

About 10 years ago, the city of Edwardsville bought its police station for $1. Meant as a temporary solution, the station has seen investments over the years well beyond that face value. Now, the building — more accurately a series of trailers bolted together, standing on cinder blocks about 200 feet from City Hall — is one of three major pieces of public infrastructure that Edwardsville officials hope to rebuild. And they’re asking residents to establish a 1% local sales tax to pay for it. “It’s not an initiative of want. The bottom line here is that the conditions within these [...]