Overland Park OKs arboretum plan, despite higher cost, question over buried artifacts
After months of protest, the Overland Park City Council approved an expansion of the city’s arboretum — despite learning the project will cost more than originally planned.
And though the Council voted 11-1 Monday night to advance the plans, neighbors are still trying to block it, this time with emails from the Shawnee tribe and Kansas’ state archaeologist calling for a study to determine if Native American artifacts lie beneath the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
The expansion would add a new visitors center, outdoor amphitheater and other gathering spaces at the attraction, off U.S. 69 and 179th Street. During Monday’s four-hour meeting, City Manger Bill Ebel told council members the project, which has been in the works for years, is now estimated to cost $17 million — higher than the $12.4 million originally budgeted.
Ebel attributed the increase to the rising cost of construction materials, adding that the amphitheater — which has been a sticking point with neighbors who fear noisy concerts and events — would likely be completed in a future phase and cost an additional $1 million.
“This is a pivotal point for the arboretum,” said Vicki Lilly, executive director of the Overland Park Arts and Recreation Foundation. “This is 30-some years into a process that may be 50 or 60 years long. And if fears — of situations that are not included in this plan — stop this plan from proceeding, I firmly believe that the 13 of you (council members and mayor) will have stopped the growth of the arboretum.”
Neighbors, who have organized and hired a lawyer, support plans for expansion and a new visitors center but oppose the amphitheater. They worry about an influx of large events, causing traffic backups, noise and lighting pollution.
City leaders assured residents the arboretum will not host any rock concerts, and instead is looking to hold performances such as ballets and plays. Arboretum staff hope holding more events will help the venue start to pay for itself. Councilman Jim Kite said neighbors were wrong in saying that the expansion amounts to “commercialization.”
“That will not happen,” Kite said. “They could have some sort of performance at the amphitheater to raise money and that would certainly not be commercialization.”
Residents also surprised council members by handing them two letters claiming an archaeological study is needed to determine if there are Native American artifacts on the arboretum property. One letter came from the Absentee Shawnee Tribe, with leaders saying the arboretum was within its area of interest. The other came from State Archaeologist Robert Hoard, saying that an archaeological study is needed before construction to determine the impact.
While some City Council members said they were taking the letters seriously, they did not agree to an archaeological study. Before the final plan is approved, additional noise and lighting studies will be required.
Some council members considered axing the amphitheater, but the City Council eventually approved the project with it included. The project passed with the condition that final plans will come before the City Council for approval. Events would also require city approval, and at that point, council members could decide to limit ticket sales or put other controls in place.
Councilman Faris Farassati was the only one to vote against the preliminary plans. He requested the project be sent back to the Planning Commission. He also requested the preliminary plan include a promise in writing that the amphitheater will not exceed its capacity of 850 people.
Council members in support of the project said the expansion will draw more visitors to the arboretum, making it a greater attraction in Overland Park.
Ebel said the City Council will discuss its next five-year capital improvement plan later this month, which will likely include a conversation about how to fund the pricier arboretum expansion. The Overland Park Arts and Recreation Foundation has raised around $7.5 million of its $10 million fundraising goal.
If everything is approved and new studies are conducted quickly enough, the arboretum could break ground on the visitors center later this year.
