Why Leawood is still smarter

News from the Leawood City Council goal setting session last week is that they are digging in even more in their desire to remain financially conservative (read smart) during these difficult times.

They are very close to moving back the new justice center planned for 2009 at least one year and they have stopped the research phase of a Community Center that might have been built right next door to the Justice Center. This is in addition to moving back the widening of 143rd street.

Regarding a new community center: The word is that the research and studies showed that citizens were evenly divided in their interest in basically 3 groups: 1/3 are for it, 1/3 are solidly against and 1/3 are ambivalent but could be convinced if it didn't cost too much.

While I think a world class, affluent city like Leawood should have an incredible community center I think it is smarter to not forge ahead in this economic climate. Good work Leawood City Council.

So....until further notice keep heading over to Overland Park's beautiful community centers or the Blue Valley rec center for kiddo's swim birthday parties.

The smartest city in JOCO

The Leawood City Council had a work session Monday night as reported in the Kansas City Star Neighborhood section by Jennifer Bhargava. She does a nice little bit of reporting and is a good reason why the paper still matters. This Jennifer on the right. I love living in the smartest city in JOCO.

Historically, they have made some really great moves like controlling the state line all the way to just past 151st street but it really is those kinds of things along with the little things that make them so smart.

These little things are things most citizens don't pay much attention to until there is a huge crisis. These little things are things like the financial conservatism that will lead them to in all likelihood change their 5 year CIP plan in favor of a more elongated timeline due to the economic uncertainty.

If you haven't noticed already many cities in America, including most in Johnson County (are you listening Olathe?) have a huge financial shortfall to deal with coming right at them and they aren't prepared or equipped to handle it. Leawood is in good shape.

Simply put, they have infrastructure projects planned out for the next 5 years, like widening 143rd street, that will require spending and additional tax debt for residents. These projects are needed but by slowing them down and moving them further out, if they approve the recommendation and I'm sure they will, they will lessen the risk of the city if the economic downturn continues or deepens. Some might call it deferred maintenance, I'd call it waiting to remodel your kitchen until times are a little better.

Jennifer Bhargava said in her first line that "Even Leawood is no match for the economy." I think that is "glass half empty" thinking and I disagree completely. Little Leawood is outsmarting everyone again by showing financial restraint that others likely haven't and won't and it all goes back to not over-committing in the first place. Leawood is slowing down things they want to do while other cities are cutting things they really need: people, programs, services. This little sideline story in the neighborhood section won't be noticed by many but trust me when I tell you this is some fine work by local government.

While it was only a work session I can't see the council not embracing these recommendations. I want to encourage them in this effort. Hooray for Leawood. Smartest City in JOCO.

Matt Ross a huge success so far. Come on Leawood!

An article in the KC Star reported today that the new community center of Overland Park, called Matt Ross, is doing very well. In fact, they've already met their revenue and membership for the year after 5 months. I guess their projections were really poor or business is really good. Obviously a combination of both.

I've been there a couple times and it really is a spectacular community center. The pools they discuss really are first class. The workout areas look a little less than adequate in terms of size for the number of people they are serving. They told me that you have to sign up for a tread mill and then you have a 30 minute limit. That's not long enough but there is a track which is what I would use instead of waiting.

The article also said other Johnson County communities are considering building a similar facility. Sounds good. I live in Leawood and would love to see that. We belong to a gym now and would probably rather use a community center instead because of its uses other than just a gym. Our Country Club doesn't have any workout facilities. I know Leawood is considering it and I hope the move ahead quickly. Regarded as the first class city in JoCo, it would seem appropriate that they have one and that it would be the envy of the county. It has to have an indoor water park like or better than Matt Ross though.