Projects will have lasting impact on communities

Loretta George/Tribune photo Construction workers from Lathrop Construction, Nevada, Mo. began laying pipe in mid-February for Uniontown's water system improvement project. Work on the $1.1 million project was completed in August.

Editor's note: When looking back over 2014, it was difficult to decide which stories should earn the distinction of being the "Top 10." The Year in Review is not a countdown as it was intended to be, but a compilation of the good and not so good that made life in Bourbon County. As is the case each day, each story that appeared in The Tribune was important to somebody. Stories were chosen based on the impact they had, which could mean how the event or issue affected people, or kept people talking.

Perhaps the most talked about issue for USD 234 patrons was the school bond issue. But it was only one project that will have a long-term impact on people in Bourbon County.

School Bond Issue

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham explains the $42.2 million bond issue for the school district during one of several public forums held prior to the November General Election. He and USD 234 Board of Education President Jordan Witt took advantage of every opportunity to promote the project, which will include district-wide facilities improvements.

The fact that a $42.2 million bond issue will be repaid from real estate property taxes didn't stop the issue from passing in the November General Election.

The issue passed 2,299 to 1,784.

Talk of a proposed bond issue for facilities improvements at USD 234 began in March when the board of education hired Hollis and Miller Architects of Overland Park to conduct a district-wide needs assessment. The firm also led several public forums to discuss the possible bond issue before the board on Aug. 11 officially called for a $42.2 million bond issue on the November General Election ballot.

Tammy Helm/Tribune photo Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin shines his flashlight on a shower in the lock-down area of the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center in November. Martin was one of several sheriff's office and jail officials who led tours of the jail on Nov. 18 to promote the need for a new jail.

New Jail

Sheriff Bill Martin continued the push for a new jail by hosting two public forums to discuss the need for a new jail and some initial ideas on a size. He also pushed county commissioners to renew the discussion.

Commissioners began meeting with financial advisors who vied for the county's contract for the project.

In May, Second District Commissioner Barbara Albright volunteered to work with Martin and jail officials on the issue.

On June 24, commissioners held a work session with Greg Vahrenberg with Piper Jaffray of Leawood to determine how to proceed with the project. Piper Jaffray was later contracted as the county's financial advisor and Patron Insight of Stillwell was contracted to conduct a community survey to determine what the public thinks about a jail project. The goal was to have the survey completed in December.

One hundred people toured the jail during a Nov. 18 open house.

Uniontown Water Project

The City of Uniontown began and completed a $1.1 million water system project in 2014. The project entailed new pipes, new water meters, new meter wells and several new fire hydrants.

Lathrop Construction of Nevada, Mo., was awarded the contract and began work in February. The original bid was $983,155, with $500,000 from a Community Development Block Grant, $489,000 from a Rural Development Loan through the General Obligation Bonds, and $111,000 from a Rural Development Grant.

County's roads

In April, the Bourbon County Commissioners approved hard-surface road schedule from 2014 to 2022. Half of the 20 projects listed for 2014 were completed, totaling 12 miles.

While the projects were good for Bourbon County residents who live and travel along those roads, others were not so happy. As the summer passed, commissioners received comments and complaints from several residents that repairs were either not being made to their roads, or not being made in a timely manner.

Jim Harris, Public Works director, and commissioners have been working on updating the schedule for 2015.

Riverfront Park

The first trail at Riverfront Park was completed in June, just in time for the annual Riverfront Park Festival. The trail is just one piece of the park that continues to be developed.

Fort Scott city and Bourbon County worked together to construct the half-mile trail between the Marmaton River and Mill Creek. The first phase of the park development, the trail was funded by a $125,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

The second phase of the project will include construction of the park loop road, other trails and parking areas, which will come from what remains of a $1.5 million grant for the entire park project.

Lowell Milken Center

In September, the Lowell Milken Center announced plans to expand its center on city-owned property known as the green space at the corner of Wall and Main streets. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 30 to make way for the new 6,000-foot building, with 3,000 feet to be dedicated to unsung heroes exhibits.

Skate park

On Nov. 6, the Fort Scott City Commission approved the final step before expansion of the James B. Tedesco Memorial Skate Park got underway. Colorado businessman Steve Tedesco, whose donations made the park possible, provided $50,000 for the expansion.