A road construction project is now in the works following action by the Emporia City Commission Wednesday evening.
During their action session, commissioners approved a corridor management construction project agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for improvements to Road F near industrial park four from Highway 50 to Road 180. The project will be 100 percent funded — up to $1.35 million — by access management/transportation funds which the city applied for back in 2015.
City Commissioner Rob Gilligan explains the project will help make the park more attractive to potential businesses.
City Engineer Jim Ubert says while the work will be completely covered by the aforementioned funds, there will still be a few costs incurred by the city.
The Road F project is slated to take place in 2021 following a widening project by KDOT on US Highway 50 from the 2-lane taper east of Road F to roughly a quarter mile west. This project will add a four to five-lane section and will take place in 2020.
Following the second of two executive sessions, Wednesday commissioners approved an offer to purchase land at 812 Whittier Street. There is a house at that address currently which is located near the center of the park.
The city entered into a right of first refusal agreement with the current landowners about five years ago. The agreement granted the city the first opportunity to either purchase or refuse the land. Plans are to at some point remove the home from the property which Gilligan says will help to “complete” the park. Records show the land is owned by Tom and Peggy Meyers.
The city expects to close on the offer by September.
In other business, commissioners approved permanent waterline and sidewalk easements, a mutual rescission and release agreement with Star Construction and a beer garden ordinance from Mulready’s Pub for the Lunar Kanza event.
The Emporia City Commission will meet next week for a study session inside conference room 1AB at White Auditorium.
