Month: December 2019

Looking back at 2019: Changing the look of the community

Looking back at 2019, Wyandotte County saw several projects under construction that will change the look of the community in the future.

Throughout Kansas City, Kansas, several schools either opened or were being built as the Kansas City, Kansas, school district continued its construction program funded by a bond issue.

A new Welborn Elementary School at 52nd and Leavenworth Road was built and is part of a bond issue, with new schools constructed throughout the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools district. Other new schools include Brune Elementary and Carl Bruce Middle School. (Staff photo from June 2019)
Piper is building a new elementary school near 131st and Leavenworth Road, after passing a bond issue in 2018. (Staff photo from December 2019)

Donnelly College made a commitment to stay at its location at 608 N. 18th St. in Kansas City, Kansas, and build a new academic center on its campus. (Staff photo from September 2019)

One of the biggest construction projects currently in Wyandotte County is a new Menards store near 98th and State Avenue. It is expected to open in early 2020. (Staff photo from November 2019)

A new Piper area fire station is being built near Hutton Road and Leavenworth Road. The groundbreaking was in April 2019. (Staff photo from April 2019)
The intersection at Hutton Road and Leavenworth Road, near the construction area for a new fire station, was closed for a number of months, until December, and is now reopened. (Staff photo)
After years of work, ground was broken for a downtown grocery store in August 2019 at 5th and Minnesota. (Staff photo from August 2019)
The former Environmental Protection Agency building at 5th and Minnesota was remodeled and turned into a University of Kansas behavioral health center in August 2019, as part of the downtown KCK revitalization. (Photo from August 2019)

The American Royal announced in December 2019 that it had secured the land it needs to build a new campus in Wyandotte County near 118th between State Avenue and Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas. The $220 million development will have several structures, including an arena and exposition hall. The city of Edwardsville also is working on a development on the southeast corner of I-70 and 110th, that will include a Hard Rock hotel.

Improvements to the Turner Diagonal near 72nd and I-70 were approved at planning meetings in 2019 in Kansas City, Kansas. The $30 million project, with mostly federal grants, is scheduled for 2020.
There were many smaller projects completed during 2019, including a dental office near 75th and State. (Staff photo from December 2019)

Development continues along Leavenworth Road, where a new building is under construction behind the Amstar building near 55th and Leavenworth Road. (Staff photo from December 2019)
Improvements during 2019 included a new outdoor fitness court at St. Margaret’s Park at 230 S. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo from December 2019)

Suspect in triple homicide in jail awaiting formal charges to be filed

Formal charges have not yet been filed against a suspect in a triple homicide on Monday who is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail, according to the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office.

According to a spokesman for the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, formal charges are expected to be filed on Wednesday against the suspect.

The suspect is on a 48-hour hold in the jail, which started Monday night, according to jail records.

Many offices, services closed for New Year’s Day

Board of Public Utilities and Unified Government offices will be closed on Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.

The BPU’s administrative and customer service lobby will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The lobby is closing early at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

BPU emergency service is available seven days a week, 24 hours per day. For power emergencies, customers should call 913-573-9522. The water emergency number is 913-573-9622 from 8 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and 913-573-9522 from midnight to 8 a.m., and during weekends and holidays.

The UG offices also are closed on Jan. 1, and will reopen on Jan. 2.

Waste Management will not be picking up residential trash and recycled materials on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, according to a UG post. Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed a day for Wednesday through Friday this week. Anyone who has service issues may call the UG at 913-573-5311 or visit mywyco.wycokck.org.

RideKC, the bus service in the Kansas City area, will be on a Sunday and holiday schedule on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.

Riders may plan a trip at www.ridekc.org, using the trip planner on the KCATA home page.

New Year’s Day also is a federal and state holiday, and a postal holiday, with offices closed.