Community meeting planned on Indian Springs redevelopment proposal
Unified commissioners Melissa Bynum (First Dist., At-large), Jane Winkler Philbrook (Eighth Dist.) and Harold Johnson (Fourth Dist.) will hold a community meeting to discuss the redevelopment proposal for Indian Springs at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 4953 State Ave. Axis Point Developers I, affiliated with the Lane 4 Property Group, has proposed a $25 million project that would be financed by industrial revenue bonds. Axis Point is proposing a “flex-tech” development that would be built on the south 27 acres of the site. The Unified Government purchased Indian Springs in 2007 for $8.4 million. A typical building at the site might have a showroom in the front area with most of the floor space being used for warehouse and ecommerce. Hunter Harris of Lane 4 and Gordon Criswell of the Unified Government will also be at the meeting.
Business West to sponsor security seminar
Business West will sponsor a seminar entitled “How to be Safe and Secure in Your Business” from 7:30 until 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 3 in the large classroom at the Police Training Academy on the campus at Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, 7250 State Ave.
Officer Kevin Sullivan with the Community Police Unit of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department will lead the seminar. There will be time for questions from the audience.
Dr. Jane Winkler Philbrook, President of Business West, said this will be an excellent opportunity for all business owners, managers and employees to learn about practical security matters. Dr. Philbrook said there will also be discussion about opportunities for area business owners and managers to discuss ways to enhance video surveillance.
Maj. Solomon Young, the commander of the Midtown and West patrols, will be assisting with the seminar.
There will be no charge for the seminar. However, advance registrations are strongly encouraged. Free coffee and doughnuts will be served. To make a reservation, telephone 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266 (cell) or email [email protected].
Presentation to concern basketball coach
Ed Shutt, a past-president of the Wyandotte County Historical Society, will present a program concerning the life of John McLendon, a college and professional basketball coach, at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21 at the monthly meeting of The Shepherd’s Center at Grace Lutheran Church, 3333 Wood Ave. McLendon was born in Hiawatha, Kan., in 1915. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated from Sumner High School. He is also a graduate of The University of Kansas, Lawrence. He played basketball at what is now Kansas City, Kansas, Community College. He coached at several colleges including what is now North Carolina Central, Tennessee State, Kentucky State and Cleveland State universities. He also coached the Denver Rockets, a professional team that competed in the American Basketball Association.
College to sponsor job fair
More than 30 employers will have booths at the Kansas City, Kansas, Community College’s ”Get hired—Kansas City” Job Fair from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 at the college’s field house, 7250 State Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Last year, the event attracted more than 1,000 persons. The Entrepreneurship and Workforce Center at the college will be the sponsor of the event. For more information, telephone 913-288-7644.
Kansas Legislature approves amusement ride legislation
The Kansas Legislature last month approved legislation that would tighten inspection requirements for amusement park rides. The bill would require an annual inspection of permanent rides by a qualified inspector. The legislation comes after the tragic death of Caleb Schwab, the 10-year son of Scott Schwab, a state legislator. Caleb Schwab died in an accident last summer when riding the Verruckt at the Schlitterbahn water park.
Stores to remain open
Two stores in Village West—Payless Shoe Source and J.C. Penney—were not on the recent list of locations to be closed. Payless, which recently filed for protection under federal bankruptcy laws, has about 4,400 store locations in 30 countries. J.C. Penney listed 138 stores to be closed; the company has about 1,000 locations. Both retailers cite competition from online stores as a reason for their financial troubles.
American Royal Barbecue to remain at speedway
The annual American Royal Barbecue contest will remain at the Kansas Speedway. However, the date will be moved from October to Labor Day weekend. Last year, the contest attracted more than 50,000 persons. The American Royal Association has announced plans to move from the stockyards area in Kansas City, Mo., to Village West.
Unified Government offers new online tool to help business
The Unified Government recently announced a new online management system that provides easier access to information for zoning, land development regulations and city and county codes. Called EnCode Plus, it is now available on the Unified Government’s website, wycokck.org/planning; then select the “Looking to Start a new business link.”
Men charged with robbing phone store
Five men who allegedly robbed the Verizon Wireless store in the Legends last fall were charged recently in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas. Those charged were allegedly part of a nationwide crime spree of robbing other phone stores. The alleged robbers are charged with taking $53,000 worth of merchandise from the store in the Legends. Kansas City, Kansas, police officers cooperated with other local and federal law enforcement personnel in apprehending the alleged robbers.
Member always welcome
All Business West members are always welcome to attend the monthly meeting of the Business West Board of Directors. The Board meets at 12:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the Board Room at The Dotte Spot Bar and Grill, 8123 Parallel Pkwy., in the Arrowhead Center.
For questions or comment, telephone 913-766-4300 or 913-406-6266 (cell) or email [email protected].