JoCo board members indecisive over proposed National Museum of Suburbia

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Plans to turn a Johnson County building into a museum may get scrapped before they even get started.

The former King Louie West bowling alley in the 8700 block of Metcalf Ave. continues to sit empty.

The Johnson County Board of Directors approved the purchase of the facility last year. It was supposed to become the National Museum of Suburbia.

But last week, county commissioners discussed ways of how to turn the museum into a multi-use facility.

"The property was not purchased to support that concept. The property was purchased as a multi-use facility for county operations," chairman Ed Eilert said.

Board members say they want the building to be used as a public transit office, election office and a museum.

Thursday night, the board will vote on a $915,000 bid by the Weitz Co. to do electrical work at the site.