Johnson County

This city was recognized by American Planning Association as ‘Great Place in Kansas’

By Debra Skodack Special to The Star
Ground has been broken on a new Merriam Plaza Library. The new library is being built next to the Merriam Community Center at 6040 Slater St., and is expected to be open in 2024. It is replacing the Antioch Library, which has been opened since 1956 at the corner of Antioch Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway. The new 15,000-square-foot library will have an early literacy and kids’ area designed to pay homage to the Antioch Library’s cozy reading nooks; a large meeting room with technology to host story time and events; spacious windows for natural light; the same number of public computers as at Antioch; a covered front porch; indoor and outdoor public art; and a green roof that will provide a place for pollinators and native vegetation. The $13.7 million project is being funded through the Comprehensive Library Master Plan and dedicated library tax.
Ground has been broken on a new Merriam Plaza Library. The new library is being built next to the Merriam Community Center at 6040 Slater St., and is expected to be open in 2024. It is replacing the Antioch Library, which has been opened since 1956 at the corner of Antioch Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway. The new 15,000-square-foot library will have an early literacy and kids’ area designed to pay homage to the Antioch Library’s cozy reading nooks; a large meeting room with technology to host story time and events; spacious windows for natural light; the same number of public computers as at Antioch; a covered front porch; indoor and outdoor public art; and a green roof that will provide a place for pollinators and native vegetation. The $13.7 million project is being funded through the Comprehensive Library Master Plan and dedicated library tax. Courtesy photo

Downtown Overland Park has been recognized as a Great Place in Kansas by the Kansas Chapter of the American Planning Association. These awards recognize excellent standards in planning and highlight neighborhoods, streets and public spaces.

“Today, Downtown Overland Park is a destination. Just mention Downtown Overland Park in metropolitan Kansas City and you are likely to encounter people who are familiar with its increasing appeal, vibrancy and artistic presence,” said Mayor Curt Skoog said in a prepared statement.

The Great Places award highlights long-term vision and guidance for development initiated by urban planning for the area, including Adoption of the Vision Metcalf plan in 2008; establishment of a form-based code for Downtown Overland Park in 2011; addition of new office, housing and retail space; improvement of a street network that accommodates vehicles, public transit, cyclists and pedestrians; promotion of public art; creation of pedestrian-friendly spaces, such as Thompson Park; consideration of the future of the Overland Park Farmers’ Market pavilion; and development of community partnerships, including the Downtown Overland Park Partnership.

Prairie Village looking for volunteers

The City of Prairie Village is seeking applications for volunteer advisory committee members. Applications are available through Dec. 31 www.pvkansas.com/governing-body/city-committees/city-committee-volunteer-application.

Committee members are appointed by the mayor and Prairie Village City Council in February. Not all committees have vacancies, so the list of applicants who apply will be used to fill available mid-year vacancies. Meetings’ dates and times are available at www.pvkansas.com/governing-body/city-council/city-council-meeting-schedule.

Voting on best lights in Merriam ending soon

Only a few days remain to vote for the best holiday lights in Merriam.

The votes on entries are being tallied by “likes” of individual displays posted on the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MerriamKansas.

The contest runs through Dec. 18.

The winner will receive four free day passes to the Merriam Community Center.

Leawood Chamber’s legislative breakfast set for January

The 2023 Leawood Legislative Breakfast will be held Jan. 4.

The event includes conversations with Leawood’s state senators and representatives before the start of the 2023 legislative session. The chamber will present 2023 legislative priorities, and each elected official will give a short presentation on what they believe will be the important topics this session.

The breakfast will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park, 10800 Metcalf, Overland Park. For more information, contact Taylor Limoges at 913-356-6435 or TaylorL@leawoodchamber.org

Opinions on school district sought

Gardner Edgerton residents have until the end of the day on Dec. 16 to submit their input and feedback on the school district. Insights will help inform the vision for the coming years as well as the development of a strategic plan. A QR code that links to the survey is available on the district’s website, www.usd231.com.

This story was originally published December 2, 2022 at 7:00 AM with the headline "This city was recognized by American Planning Association as ‘Great Place in Kansas’."

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