Lenexa approves rezoning making way for justice center, set to be completed in 2024

Lenexa is moving forward with plans for the Lenexa Justice Center, a public safety complex that will include the police headquarters and municipal court.

The Lenexa City Council approved a rezoning request and preliminary plans for the center at their regular meeting Tuesday.

The property located at the southwest corner of Prairie Star Parkway and Britton Road will be rezoned to make way for an office building on what is currently considered an agricultural area.

The 36 acre site is set to include about 53,000 square feet for the police station and court building, as well as 23,000 square feet for a police training facility and parking.

According to city documents, the center will also include a public plaza and community room, 75 public parking spaces and 275 secured spaces for staff and police.

The project was originally set to cost $65 million, but due to rising construction costs in the COVID-19 pandemic, the city council approved an $8 million increase in December to bring the total cost to roughly $73 million. The council also hired J.E. Dunn Construction for the project at the December meeting.

In March, the council approved a $433,000 increase for architectural costs with Finkle + Williams Architecture, a Lenexa-based firm that leads the architecture and engineering for the project.

The increase in costs is attributed to the addition of square footage, programming and sustainable design elements, according to city documents. The firm was hired in July of 2021 for the project with a $5.5 million contract. CBC Real Estate Group, LLC was also hired at the 2021 meeting to ensure the project is on budget, on time and advocate for the city’s interests.

The project is anticipated to be completed in March of 2024.