Multipurpose stage, play area and additional features coming to Johnson County Square

Johnson County and Olathe are taking steps to enhance the Johnson County Square, a public open space between the Johnson County Administration Building and the new Johnson County Courthouse in downtown Olathe.

The second phase of improvements includes:

▪ A multipurpose stage, possibly with solar lighting, on the north end of the property near the square entrance at Santa Fe and Cherry streets. The stage will overlook a large community green space.

▪ An art garden play area, also on the north side.

▪ A Memorial Plaza near the Children of the Trails Fountain at the southern end of the square near the administration building 111 S. Cherry St. It will highlight the history of Johnson County and Olathe, and include time capsules and other commemorative structures. Part of the space will be dedicated to the cities of Johnson County, with stone-concrete inlays containing the name of each city and its year incorporation.

▪ Tree grove seating on the south end of the property, complementing a grove on the north end that was donated by Johnson County Rotary Clubs.

“We want to start work shortly after Old Settlers Days this year with plans to ensure the square opening by May 2023,” Assistant Johnson County Manager Joe Waters said in a news release.

The Old Settlers Days celebration ends Sept. 10.

Much of the land for the square became available when the county razed its old courthouse last year after the new one opened across Santa Fe Street to the north.

On Aug. 4, the county commission approved several elements of the plan, including:

▪ An agreement with Olathe whereby the county maintains the property while Olathe oversees activities in the square such as public events and concerts.

▪ A reallocation of $1 million to finance the improvements, which will be combined with $1 million from Olathe.

▪ A $196,500 contract with TreanorHL to complete the Phase 2 design.

▪ Regulations for the square and adjacent property, pertaining to things like animals, alcohol, fires, sales and structures.

The commission also approved a short list of possible construction companies for the second phase. KBS Constructors Inc., Kelly Construction Group Inc.; B.A. Green Construction Co. Inc, and Universal Construction Co. will bid on the project.

Inflation dogs U.S. 69 project

The U.S. 69 expansion project, which will bring optional toll lanes for motorists to use on the busy Overland Park roadway, has encountered a hiccup: inflation.

But the Kansas Department of Transportation said it is working hard solve the problem and keep the project close to its original timeline.

KDOT said it received two qualified proposals for the project, but both substantially exceeded the estimate of $430 million. The agency provided no details, but said it’s working with the two contracting teams to drive down costs.

The scope of the project won’t change: Widening U.S. 69 by adding one express toll lane in each direction between 103rd and 151st streets, installing 11 noise walls and upgrading the interchange at 167th Street.

One cost-reduction strategy is to transfer some of the inflation risk to KDOT instead of the contractors, by allowing yearly pricing adjustments based on market conditions. KDOT said it already does that for items like asphalt and fuel.

For a long-term project, KDOT said, this “price-indexing” approach avoids locking taxpayers into today’s high costs should prices fall as supply chain issues are resolved after the pandemic.

“DOTs and contractors nationwide are having to navigate an unprecedented amount of uncertainty due to inflation,” KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz said in a news release.

The current timeline calls for the express lanes to be finished by the end of 2025 and the entire project completed in 2026.

State honor for SM North nurse

Mary Alice Kelly, school nurse at Shawnee Mission North High School, has been named the Kansas School Nurse of the Year by the Kansas School Nurses Organization.

In nominating her, Shawnee Mission North speech language pathologist Nick Englen described Kelly as calm, peaceful, delightful, knowledgeable, humorous and a sought-after source for students and staff.

“Mary Alice always conveys positivity and helps our students find ways to overcome an obstacle,” Englen said.

A generous ‘outfield’ in Edgerton

No student at Edgerton Elementary School has to pay for school supplies or fees this year, thanks to the Cyclones In The Outfield fundraiser.

The event, which began in 2021, was conceived by Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Johnson, the community policing officer for Edgerton. The main event is a charity softball game between members of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Johnson County Fire District #1. This year, it was expanded to include a cruise-in car show followed by an outdoor movie in Martin Creek Park.

Organizers planned to place school supplies, including headphones and earbuds, on the students’ desks on the first day of class. Families were asked to purchase their own backpacks but a limited number were available for those who couldn’t afford one.

Instead of receiving gift cards, families this year were asked to notify the school if they wanted their fees covered by Cyclones In The Outfield, so the money could be sent directly to the school.

Sponsors included Edgerton Frontier Days, Price Chopper, Lewis Indoor Athletics, Hostess, ElevateEdgerton!, Central Bank of the Midwest, PepsiCo, Dot’s Pretzels and Logistics Park Kansas City.

Teen suicide effort wins accolades

The Johnson County Mental Health Center and a teen-suicide prevention effort, known as #ZeroReasonsWhy, have been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties.

#ZeroReasonsWhy is a grassroots, teen-led campaign designed to remove the stigma around mental health challenges.

The campaign began after teen deaths by suicide nearly doubled in Johnson County through the first six months of 2018. Chapters have since been formed in other communities, including Greater Kansas City and seven counties in Kansas. #ZeroReasonsWhy produces multimedia content and organizes community events.

“The awareness they’re raising and conversations they’re having are encouraging their peers to seek help and reducing the number of deaths by suicide in our community,” Tim DeWeese, director of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, said in a news release.

I-35 work to take place at night

Expect nightly lane closures through mid-September as construction crews place new lane markings on Interstate 35 in southwest Johnson County.

The work is being done on both directions of I-35 between 167th and 215th streets, as well as on the ramps at Sunflower Road, Homestead Lane and Gardner Road.

Roeland Park wants your opinions

Have you always wanted to give the powers-that-be a piece of your mind? In Roeland Park, some of the powers could be you, even if you don’t run for office.

The city is seeking people to serve on its “survey panel group,” where they can participate in focus groups or take online surveys sponsored by the city. Find the signup link at roelandpark.net, by clicking on the “Weekly news, events and updates” for the week of Aug. 1.