KSHB 41 Traffic anchor/reporter Daniela Leon covers all sorts of transportation topics across Kansas City. Have a story idea to share or a question about something in your neighborhood? Send Daniela a news tip.
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Over the past year, KSHB 41 has shared the voices of Olathe businesses and property owners affected by the upcoming Interstate 35 and Santa Fe interchange project.
The project aims to alleviate traffic concerns plaguing the corridor through a new interchange and other improvements along Santa Fe, from Ridgeview to Mur-Len.
City leaders said the project is on schedule, and Olathe is working on the acquisition of some properties. Adding bids on demolition contracts for the first slate of owned properties is currently open and has to be for 90 days, per federal guidelines.
Erv's Vacuums is one of the businesses we've followed since the announcement of the project. The shop's former building can easily be spotted off I-35, but the business has since relocated 1.5 miles west on Santa Fe to 539 E. Santa Fe St.
"You can't remove Erv's from Olathe; it's been in Olathe since 1958," said Sarah DeGondea, owner of Erv's. "The city of Olathe was gracious enough to let us put a sign up front that displays our new location. I'm hopeful that they'll let that stay until the building is totally gone."
According to an email reviewed by KSHB 41, Olathe acquired DeGondea's building earlier this year. Kansas open records laws prevent disclosure of land acquisition negotiations, but businesses surrounding Erv's have also been acquired by the city.
Many have windows boarded up, with flyers and banners posted outside their buildings letting customers know about the project and business relocation.
Last year, DeGondea voiced her concerns with KSHB 41, believing the city’s offer to acquire her building, which was based on appraiser valuations and fair market value, was not enough to buy another building nearby. An eminent domain dispute was considered, but DeGondea settled with the city.
She was offered a moving package and didn't need to take out any loans beyond what the city's offer covered.
"We got spooked. Everyone kept saying, 'That's a good price. You should accept it,' because we were convinced that it could go backwards," she said. "It's kind of like when you go to Vegas, do you want to remove your chips, or do you want to let it ride?"
Demolition is expected to begin later this year, according to a timeline provided by the city. It will continue through the first quarter of 2026, followed by utility work, which will last until mid-2027.
Construction will begin in phases. Depending on the weather, construction could begin in early 2027 and last until 2030.
City crash data states the crash rate on I-35 surrounding the Santa Fe interchange is more than 2.5 times the state average.
"I hope it is a safer corridor," DeGondea said. "I think there are going to be some learning curves with people being frustrated because [of] what is about to happen down there."
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