Shawnee voters overwhelmingly reject $38 million community center
Shawnee voters overwhelmingly rejected a $38 million bond issue to construct a new community center.
Of the 19,951 mail-in ballots received by noon Tuesday, 72 percent voted against the proposal, according to unofficial results provided by the Johnson County Election Office.
Mayor Michelle Distler said listening to the voices of residents was crucial.
“The governing body wanted to ensure we gave every single registered voter in Shawnee a chance to weigh in on this important issue,” she said. “The majority of people who voted have let us know they do not support the proposed community center.”
One group in Shawnee favored the project, which would have supported a 68,000 square-foot facility with indoor swimming pools, an indoor turf field with batting cages, an outdoor walking loop that linked to Clear Creek Trail and other amenities.
Others opposed it, expressing concern about property tax hikes and pushing for public dollars to be used in other areas like infrastructure.
Last year, the city council approved feasibility studies and later presented design and financing plans during public meetings.
City staff will begin researching other potential uses for the property at 61st and Woodland, city of Shawnee spokeswoman Julie Breithaupt said.
The mail-in ballot results will be certified on May 28.
This story was originally published May 21, 2019 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Shawnee voters overwhelmingly reject $38 million community center."
