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John “Jack” Helin
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TAB 5
The Chieftain (Bonner Springs, KS)
January 2, 2013
City Managers Discuss Plans for 2013
Author: Caroline Boyer
The coming year won’t be loaded with new projects for the cities of Bonner Springs and
Edwardsville, but there will be plenty of important decisions to make and some other big
changes.
John “Jack” Helin, Bonner Springs city manager, and Mike Webb, Edwardsville city manager,
say there aren’t plans for as many improvement projects in the city as they would like. But there
are some things to look forward to in each city, as well as big issues of concern for each city that
the city managers hope will be resolved.
In Bonner Springs, the biggest projects in 2013 likely will be the 134th Street Utility relocation
project, immediately followed by the Kansas Department of Transportation’s work on putting the
new loop at Interstate 70 in the southwest quadrant. Another big project for the city will be the
fourth phase of the city’s hiking/bike trail, from South Park to and through Lions Park, which is
planned for construction this spring. There also will be a few smaller infrastructure projects for
the city.
“We will be looking at some waterline projects, mostly repair or replace, but haven’t firmed
them up yet,” Helin said.
On the economic development front, two projects that the city gave preliminary approval to in
2012 may move forward: The Village at Deerfield apartments and a second Community
Improvement District on the southwest corner of Kansas Avenue and Kansas Highway 7. There
is also the project to convert the building at 515 Morse into a senior-living facility. “The
apartment developments and the second CID district all could happen, but there is no way of
knowing,” Helin said. “The work at 515 Morse is continuing on the tax credit apartment project
and it should be done this year – the new work looks nice.”
One of 2012’s big topics of discussion will continue into the new year: Helin said the city should
begin talks with KDOT about amending the memorandum of understanding concerning K-7’s
future as a freeway, but of course, Helin said there is no way of predicting how that will go.
Other significant happenings for 2013 include: $360,000 for street improvements; computer
upgrades at City Hall; a new Tiblow Transit van if the city obtains some state funding; and a
major renovation project for Field No. 1 at Lions Park, with new grass, a new sprinkler system,
and a spectator area. Another bright spot in the city’s finances in 2013: the aquatic park bonds
will be paid off.
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