This commercial corridor passes through 2 counties. Group weighs in on improvements

Merriam Drive/Merriam Lane is an older, mostly commercial corridor that passes through two counties and several cities. Now, a study is underway on how to make it better.

The study group will host its next open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 12 at the Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St.

The Merriam Connected Corridor Plan will focus on the area between West 55th Street in Johnson County to South 10th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. Cooperating in the study are the Mid-America Regional Council, the cities of Merriam and Overland Park and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The roadway also passes through Mission.

Experts are looking at safety and traffic flow, accommodations for bicycles and other modes of travel besides the car, development opportunities, environmental sustainability and the Turkey Creek Trail, part of which is closed because of storm damage.

Learn more at merriamconnectedcorridor.com.

Parks system enhances scholarship program

The Johnson County parks system is revising its scholarship program to make it more accessible and equitable, even for some non-residents.

Among the changes approved in February for people with lower incomes:

▪ An individual can receive up to $100 in scholarships per calendar year and use the money toward any class, event or rental. The county dropped restrictions on how the subsidy can be used.

▪ People who work in the county but live elsewhere can now apply for scholarships.

“Prior guidelines required residential status,” Susan Mong, superintendent of culture for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, said in a news release. “JCPRD knows that many of our patrons live in adjacent counties but contribute to the local economy and its quality as part of the Johnson County workforce … This allows us to serve people in real time during challenging circumstances.”

▪ The scholarship budget was doubled, to $20,000 a year, with more funding to come from the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County.

▪ Income verification will be less cumbersome for families without a connection to public schools. Mong said qualifications for everyone are now tied to state guidelines for reduced-lunch status.

“The improved policy also adds a new allowance for unusual circumstances like job loss or other short-term traumatic events that an individual or family may experience.”

To apply for JCPRD scholarships, visit jcprd.com and click on “How Do I…”

Neighborhood centers reopen for older adults

After closing during the last COVID-19 surge, Johnson County’s neighborhood centers have reopened for adults 60 and over to socialize and eat together.

The centers — in De Soto, Merriam, Gardner, Lenexa, Overland Park and Spring Hill — are open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A hot lunch is available Monday through Friday, and breakfast is offered Tuesday through Thursday.

Hot lunches are served at 11:30 a.m. Call your center by 10 a.m. the day before to make a reservation.

A seventh center, in Edgerton, offers carryout meals. Find locations, phone numbers and menus through the County Services tab at jocogov.org, in the Aging section.

New council member for Fairway

Jonalan Smith, a former member of the city’s planning commission, has replaced Tom Cotter on the Fairway City Council, effective March 14.

Cotter announced in January that he was moving from the city and leaving his Ward 2 seat. Eight people applied to finish his term, and a committee forwarded the names of two finalists who were interviewed by the mayor and council.

Their choice was Smith, a pharmacist and senior vice-president at Lockton Companies. Before joining Lockton in 2019, he was the chief operating officer for Sunflower Health Plan. His term will expire in December 2023.

K-7 ramp closures

Drivers should expect some exit ramp closures in mid-April at Kansas 7 and Prairie Star Parkway as crews repave and stripe street and ramps as part of a larger improvement project for the Lenexa interchange:

▪ April 11-12: The northbound K-7 exit ramp will close from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

▪ April 14-15: The southbound exit ramp will close from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Prairie Star Parkway will stay open but lanes will be closed as needed April 11-22.

City planning, explained

Have you ever wondered why communities develop the way they do?

Well, Overland Park has produced an online experience, Planning 101, that offers some insight. City officials want people to take part in the exercise so they can contribute more meaningfully to Overland Park’s comprehensive plan update.

Planning 101 will take users through the city’s history, how the groundwork was laid for downtown Overland Park and possibilities for development and redevelopment. Those taking part can offer comments.

Find the planning tool, as well as four videos that the city produced to educate residents, at opkansas.org.

Prom expo in Olathe

Going to prom?

On April 9, the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm is hosting a one-stop shop for prom-related items like formal wear, flowers and limousines, plus hairstyle and makeup demonstrations.

The event, co-hosted by the Olathe Public Library, will be from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mahaffie Heritage Center, 1200 E. Kansas City Road. Parents are welcome.

A limited number of free prom dresses will be available first-come, first-served. If you can donate a dress, contact the Olathe library’s teen services manager, Angela Parks, at aparks@olathelibrary.org.

Recycling event April 9 in Shawnee

Shawnee is hosting a recycling event from 8 to 11 a.m. on April 9 at the Splash Cove parking lot, 5800 King St.

The city is accepting electronics, paper for shredding, bicycles, eyeglasses and long-sleeved shirts that will be used for Shawnee’s annual scarecrow festival. Household hazardous waste such as paint, and other types of clothing, will not be taken.

Some cash fees will be required for older, bulky electronics but most can be dropped for free. Items will be collected from all vehicles that are in the parking lot by 11 a.m. Those arriving later will be turned away.

This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "This commercial corridor passes through 2 counties. Group weighs in on improvements."