‘World class’ justice center sure to be inviting to public breaks ground in Lenexa

Lenexa leaders held a groundbreaking on Sept. 13, the ceremonial start of construction on the city’s new Justice Center at Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Street. Completion is expected in the spring of 2024.

“Our organization has needed a new facility for a significant amount of time. Setting aside the obvious deteriorating necessities such as air conditioning and plumbing, we need a space that will better allow our personnel to complete their work efficiently,” Police Sgt. Curtis Weber said.

“On top of that, the police department needs to be a facility that is inviting and engaging for the community. Our current facility does not allow for that type of environment. The new Justice Center will allow our facility to reflect the standard our staff is expected to strive for: world-class.”

Sept. 28 hearing on Mission Gateway

For 16 years, the Mission Gateway project has languished at the spot on Johnson Drive where the Mission Center Mall was demolished in 2006. Proposals came and went, and after construction finally started in 2020, it came to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic.

At a special meeting on Sept. 28, the Mission City Council will consider the developer’s latest proposal, and members of the public can speak at two public hearings relating to the project. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St.

The development agreement expired in December, and a new plan was submitted in June.

According to the Mission website, the first phase would include nearly 50,000 square feet of small-shop or restaurant uses, 90,000 square feet of entertainment space, 373 market-rate apartments and parking.

After that would come a 202-room hotel and an office or medical facility of about 100,000 square feet.

No more free home COVID tests from county

Citing a decline in the availability and interest in COVID-19 tests, Johnson County says it will soon quit distributing home tests from the Department of Health and Environment office in Olathe.

The last time to pick up tests is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 30 at 11875 S. Sunset Drive.

Courtrooms in works for new judges

Johnson County expects to start work early next year on courtrooms for three new district court judges authorized by the Kansas Legislature.

The project, funded by the same sales tax that built the new county courthouse and crime lab in Olathe, is expected to take about a year. The courthouse, which opened 2021, was designed so courtrooms could be added as needed.

On Sept. 15, county officials agreed to spend $245,389 for the design and pre-construction work by amending its design/build contract with JE Dunn Construction, the firm that built the new courthouse.

“Funding is coming from a portion of existing budgeted contingency dollars for the new courthouse,” County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert said in a news release.

One of the new judges likely will be assigned to the criminal court docket, another to family court and the third to duties in both family and civil court. Their appointment will give the county 22 district court judges, along with four magistrate judges.

“The proposed assignment of new judges will allow for additional jury trials to decrease the backlog created during the pandemic.” District Court Administrator Laura Brewer said in a news release.

The county is working on how to share space before construction is completed.

“We are lucky to have two high-profile jury trial courtrooms on the second floor that are not currently assigned to a specific judge,” Brewer said. “It is likely those courtrooms will be used regularly during the build-out.”

She said remote hearings are used when possible, especially in family and civil cases.

OP posts Farmers’ Market survey

People interested in the future of the Overland Park Farmers Market have until Sept. 29 to complete an online feedback form posted at opkansas.org.

The survey is one element of an ongoing public engagement process about potential improvements to the market pavilion site at 7950 Marty St. An in-person meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 20, where the project team will present what it has found through consultations with the public.

Among other things, the form asks about potential elements of a year-round market and the public’s reaction to operational changes brought about by the pandemic. Respondents are encouraged to first watch a video that outlines potential changes to the market and the surrounding area of downtown Overland Park.

Gardner Library to close for repairs

The Gardner Library will close to the public from Oct. 5 through mid-December for interior and exterior improvements, including roof replacement, updates to plumbing and mechanical systems and repaving.

The date for reopening will depend on circumstances like weather and supply chain issues.

During the closure, patrons can continue to return materials to the outdoor bin, and curbside hold pickups will be available during normal operating hours from Oct. 10 through early December.

Olathe school officials meet the public

Starting this month, Olathe School Superintendent Brent Yeager and school board members have scheduled a series of four “community conversations” with students, staff, families and others.

“These informal events are designed to encourage two-way dialogue between the Board of Education and community members about the topics that are top-of-mind in the district,” a news release stated. “There is no set agenda, but rather, participants will have an opportunity to engage in conversation regarding a variety of topics.”

The first session was scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 27 at the Olathe Instructional Resource Center, 14090 S. Black Bob Road.

The others are from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21 and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 24 at the same location. Find a link with more information in the news release at olatheschools.org.

Mission voters renew sales tax for parks

By a ratio of more than 5 to 1, Mission voters have renewed a sales tax that generates about $1 million a year for the city’s parks and recreation programs.

In a mail-ballot election that concluded at noon on Sept. 20, unofficial final results showed that 1,551 residents agreed to renew the three-eights-cent tax for another 10 years. Only 262 residents voted no.

Officials have said the tax provides about 89% of Mission’s capital funds for parks.

Just over 25% of the ballots were returned.