UPDATE: Overland Park City Council approved the Bluhawk development plans for a new hockey arena Monday night.
OP Council approves proposed BluHawk plan for sports arena, apts., commercial, offices, and hotels. Many more steps needed before built.
— Overland Park, KS (@opcares) June 21, 2016
Along with a sports arena, the controversial plans for the project will include apartments, offices and hotels.
"We want things here to stay the same," explained Sarah McGuffin, who lives nearby. "You know it's not realistic. Everything is moving south. Twenty years ago this wasn't happening out here. So we are used to development. We know things will keep moving south."
Some residents opposed the plan because of their concern for the traffic increase and added noise.
"My neighbors don't care for it," said resident Mary Bush. "It is going to bring too many people in the neighborhood. They are going to be up late at night and most of us are retired. I just wish it would be someplace else."
Bush said she does enjoy using the fairly new 159th exit ramp onto the highway, which was paid for in part by Bluhawk as a part of the deal, according to the City of Overland Park.
How are your neighbors reacting to youth #hockey arena approval in #OP? Hear more on Bluhawk project @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/o3zHJLy5JN
— Belinda Post (@Belinda_Post) June 21, 2016
Officials said the new plan with the hockey arena will bring in less traffic than a previously approved one. The arena expects to have 40 hockey games and 80 other events each year.
The city says there are a lot more steps needed before the project is built.
One of those is for the state to approve star bonds to help finance the project.
The public hearing for the hockey arena will continue on July 11.
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ORIGINAL STORY: Construction on the BluHawk project at 159th and Antioch in Overland Park, Kansas, is underway. A new fire station is almost ready for fire crews. A new hospital and shops are being built.
"We are in favor of economic development, but not when it goes too far," said OP resident Ed Herman, who lives near the BluHawk development.
Herman and his neighbor, Brian Jones, are going door to door informing their neighbors that the developer wants to add a multi-level hockey arena and a museum and hotels to the BluHawk project.
"We are concerned about excessive traffic, noise and the safety of families who live nearby," explained Jones.
The concerned neighbors are asking fellow neighbors to come to Monday night's Overland Park City Council meeting.
The council meeting began Monday at 7:30 p.m.
RIGHT NOW: overflow crowd in @opcares for BluHawk conversation. I'm told it'll be a long night @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/qZ1MZE2Xfx
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) June 21, 2016
People in 2 rooms & a hallway an hour into the Bluhawk meeting in @opcares as council starts questions @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/uVF5NVqWrj
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) June 21, 2016
2 hours now on the BluHawk rezoning discussion. Developer just asked to hurry up, applause in crowd. @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/QVjoNqzJBw
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) June 21, 2016
NOW: Public comment finally open for rezoning, plus permits for hotels & arenas in BluHawk. @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/NvSGde6iFR
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) June 21, 2016
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Cynthia Newsome can be reached at Cynthia.Newsome@kshb.com.
Dia Wall can be reached at dia.wall@kshb.com.
