Progress on Capital Projects
In all corners of the county you will find construction, planning, remodeling and design happening on facilities and amenities for our community. We make it our mission to get projects done on time and on budget, creating the best possible facilities to serve your needs as well as create spaces for learning, recreation and fun.
Let’s spotlight the progress we made on major capital projects in 2023.
Lighting the Way through…
…innovating to save hundreds of millions of dollars on the county’s largest-ever capital project
Since 2018, Johnson County Wastewater and its partners have been studying, planning, strategizing and reimagining the rebuild of the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility, built in the late 1940s. It will be the largest capital project in the county’s history — updating our oldest wastewater treatment facility to be the newest. The team made monumental progress on this project in 2023, including the culmination of strategic planning and innovation to save $210 million on this project. By the end of 2023, project design was complete and the BOCC authorized the final cost of approximately $610 million.
…repurposing a former car wash into a site to repurpose unwanted household chemicals
Due to the Nelson Treatment Facility improvements project, Johnson County residents can benefit from a relocated, new and improved location to dispose of household hazardous waste. In June 2023, Johnson County’s new Household Hazardous Waste facility opened in Overland Park off College Boulevard. It previously was located in Mission on the Nelson facility campus for 30 years. The county repurposed a former car wash for this new site. Residents can expect an enhanced experience with the new location.
Several dignitaries including U.S. Representative Sharice Davids attended the ribbon cutting for Taxiway Bravo.
…using federal funding to completely pay for a taxiway rebuild
Taxiway Bravo was the last of three taxiways or runways at the Johnson County Executive Airport to be fully reconstructed in a multi-year partnership with Johnson County Government, the Johnson County Airport Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. Johnson County received a $5.6 million Airport Improvement Program grant from the FAA for the complete rebuild of Taxiway Bravo, which was celebrated with a July 2023 ribbon cutting attended by several dignitaries including U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.
…turning a cleared space into a community space
When the former Johnson County Courthouse was demolished in downtown Olathe, it left a space that has been repurposed for events, festivals and outdoor fun of all types. A partnership with Johnson County and the City of Olathe created the Johnson County Square, located on Santa Fe Street between Kansas Avenue and Cherry Street. Amenities include a community green, curved lighted walkway, various tree groves and seating areas, a multipurpose stage area, a Memorial Plaza and play area.
…continuously improving our popular libraries, parks and trails
Some of the most popular buildings in our portfolio would have to be our libraries. In its effort to continuously improve how we serve our community, Johnson County Library spent 2023 building the new Merriam Plaza Library, which opened on March 20, 2024. It replaced Antioch Library, the oldest branch in the system. In 2023 major improvements were made to Oak Park Library in Overland Park. Renovations at the Shawnee Library have also just begun slated for a June completion.
In 2023, Johnson County Library had almost 1.8 million visitors, a 12% increase from the previous year. The libraries also went fine free in 2023, increasing access to their materials and bringing in new users.
Just as beloved as our libraries are our Johnson County Park and Recreation District parks, trails and facilities. In 2023, JCPRD welcomed over 8.9 million visitors and participants, offering enriching before and after-school programs to 3,500 children daily.
Throughout the year, significant efforts were made to enhance visitor experiences, including the installation of a new accessible kayak and canoe launch at Shawnee Mission Park Marina. JCPRD also celebrated a milestone with the completion of three phases of improvements at the Mid-America Sports Complex. This ambitious project transformed the complex into a state-of-the-art facility, featuring rebuilt fields, modernized concession stands, renovated parking lots, and added amenities to elevate the sports and recreation experience for athletes and spectators.
A notable initiative was the commencement of a two-year silt removal project at Heritage Park Lake, aimed at improving water quality for wildlife and visitors. This project involves the removal of over 100,000 cubic yards of material and the creation of a 2.3-acre wetland. Conservation efforts also saw the restoration of 83 acres to native prairie habitat and the removal of over 400 acres of invasive honeysuckle from parks and natural areas.
Additionally, a master planning process has been initiated to incorporate 2,000 acres from the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant into JCPRD’s Kill Creek Park, which is adjacent to the property. This addition is set to provide a crucial trail connection to the City of De Soto from the south, ensuring natural resource protection and offering miles of trails for the enjoyment of the local community and the more than 4,000 workers (and their families) at the nearby new Panasonic battery plant.
Did You Know?
- JCPRD completed 359 projects aimed at improving park accessibility.
- Johnson County Library circulated, both physical and digital, more than 13.7 million materials.