Overland Park residents push back on $36 million street improvement project near 175th Street

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — KSHB 41 reporter Elyse Schoenig covers Johnson County. She also focuses on issues surrounding the cost of healthcare, saving for retirement and personal debt. Share your story idea with Elyse.

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A $36 million street improvement project in Overland Park is drawing pushback from some residents who said the scope of the work goes too far.

The project will bring a median, sidewalks, bike trails, roundabouts, storm sewers, street lighting and more to the area of 175th Street from 179th Street to Antioch Road. It is funded mostly by the city and county, along with some federal money, and is part of a larger South Streets improvement project.

Jennifer Watkins, who lives in the area, wants the city to take a second look.

"I understand that a sidewalk is necessary with multiple schools right here. And so, I don't think we're asking that the project not happen," Watkins said. "I think that we're just asking for maybe a fresh look at the project, to scale it back a little bit, and maybe decide that we don't need it to be quite this extensive."

Neighbor Jordan Rothschild-Noomé echoed that sentiment.

"All we're asking for is for them to take into account the infrastructure that's here," Rothschild-Noomé said.

Gail Radke, another Overland Park resident affected by the project, raised concerns about a planned walkway on her property and the removal of "lots of trees" in the area as part of the project.

"They want to put a 10-foot walkway in the front of my property," Radke said. "I was 80 in February, and I don't need to be out there shoveling snow."

City of Overland Park spokesperson Meg Ralph said the project will move forward because of the need to improve safety in a growing part of the city.

"The project's going to proceed because we have to build our streets and make them as safe as possible to get kids to school, get people to work, make sure that you can access neighbors, other public services," Ralph said.

Ralph said the city held several public meetings with residents before moving forward with the design.

"Change can be difficult, we get that. We're thinking about now, and the needs of residents that are moving into that area now, and then, of course, 10, 20, 30 years down the road," Ralph said.

Residents said they can support some level of change, but want a greater voice in the process.

"We just feel like it's a really gross overreach of our property, and really, not being good stewards of our tax dollars," Watkins said.

Ward 6 Council Member Chris Newlin shared this statement on the project.:

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