Each day this week, we will publish the candidates’ responses to one of these five questions. Read the candidates’ responses to the previously published question about affordable housing.

Below are the candidates’ responses to item two:

I-435 cuts Lenexa in half, with most of the city’s established neighborhoods sitting to the east of the highway and newer neighborhoods developing in the west. How can the city ensure residents inside the 435 loop and in newer parts of Lenexa are treated equitably and that 435 doesn’t become a dividing line?

Below are the answers the Post received from the candidates on this issue:

Ward 3

Laura Hill

Did not respond.

Corey Hunt (incumbent)

I don’t buy in to the idea that Lenexa is a divided city. Lenexa is naturally expanding west past I435 in a way that Lenexa residents envisioned during the 20/20 visioning project and again during the 20/30 visioning project which completed in 2020. If you were to look at Lenexa’s 4 year rolling Capital Improvement Program (CIP) you would find a balanced money spend on both sides of I435. I can speak to many projects happening on the east side of Lenexa which are consequential for Lenexa residents for example, the completion of the new Municipal Services building on 79th, the implementation of the Complete Streets study which improves the safety of pedestrians and cyclists throughout the city. Less noticeable but very high on resident surveys is the pavement improvement effort through the east-side of Lenexa and on-going storm-water management projects too numerous to list. In Old Town we will begin work on the new Community Center near the end of this year and the new Rail Road (Wayside) horns will be in-place and operable this summer. In addition, the 95th & Santa Fe intersection has been modernized – all in east Lenexa.

Have you noticed the work being completed on Quivera road? This is the result of a year-long Quivera Corridor study which will improve pedestrian safety and access to shops along the corridor and upgrade/reconfigure streetlight approaches and turn lanes up and down Quivera Rd. Switching to Parks & Rec, we are going to be investing heavily in the Indian Trails pool and we will be connecting the north and south neighborhoods with an underground tunnel to eliminate the need to cross 87th Street to access Sar Ko Park and Indian Trails pool. In addition, the Ad Astra pool has been given new life!

There are many projects happening on the east side of Lenexa I have only touched on a few. If you would like to be my guest for the Capital Improvement Program meeting(s) where you can watch/listen to how these projects are prioritized, please give me a call I would be happy to give you a tour of the City Center spaces. These meetings are open to the public. I can assure you I will work hard to maintain a balanced money spend on both sides of I435. For more information, call or email me at, coreyhunt624@gmail.com and follow me on Facebook, @corey hunt, Lenexa councilman.

Gael A. Wheeler

Did not respond.

Melanie Arroyo

It’s important that we start by validating the views of our neighbors who feel that this is a real issue. One practical way to address the divide is to ensure that city leaders literally represent both sides of the city through the upcoming redistricting process. At least 2 of Lenexa’s 4 Wards should be revamped during redistricting to take in neighborhoods to the east AND west of 435. That will help ensure that a majority of city leaders will literally represent and hold the best interest of both sections of the city.

Beyond that, improving east-west transportation links–including bike lanes & bus routes–will help knit the city together. 87th Street, which links Lenexa City Center to the city’s eastern neighborhoods, is an obvious candidate for long-term planning and transportation improvements. A bustling 87th Street can also be easily linked to the booming downtown Overland Park district via Santa Fe Drive and to the proposed transit improvements slated for Metcalf.

Looking ahead, Lenexa will need to balance its spending between preserving the quality of existing neighborhoods and promoting future growth. Furthermore, in my conversations with the community, I have heard complaints of how the east side of Lenexa is being disinvested of important community resources such as our police station and library. And as if these losses weren’t already disappointing enough, residents were surprised to learn of the proposed closure of Ad Astra Pool. Corey Hunt put it on record that he agreed to closing the pool, and was unable to attend the City Council meeting involving the final decision on the pool. Thankfully, the proposal was rejected by the City Council, but this is another example of ways that residents from the Eastern part of Lenexa feel like their city council leaders are not really listening.

If elected, I will put the listening skills I have honed as a clinical counselor to good use when it comes to concerned residents advocating for their neighborhoods, whether they are east or west of 435.

Ward 4

Scott Callaway

Questions around the I-435 divide in Lenexa is one I have heard many residents speak to as I’ve been canvassing. Many concerns stem from the amazing infrastructure growth happening West of I-435. One example I’ve heard concerns about is the investment made to build the new Lenexa Aquatic Center West of I-435 while Community Swimming Pools East of I-435 seem to be left behind in improvements, with some residents even worried that our local swimming pools could start closing in the future. We need to ensure transparency in infrastructure spending to ensure property taxes are being invested back into all of Lenexa, an amazing place to live with great schools, employment opportunities and business growth. Current perspective in how the City is growing places heavily on the minds of East Lenexa Residents who have lived here for a long time and have chosen to raise their children in this beautiful city and don’t want to see it falling behind in our shared opportunities for prosperity.

Craig K. Denny

It is a mis-conception that I-435 “divides Lenexa in half”. Several transportation “corridors” traverse Lenexa: I-35, BNSF RR (through Old Town & along Mill Creek), K-7, I-435 and K-10. Capital improvement projects like the Quivira Viaduct, 95 th & I-35 interchange, Prairie Star Parkway, the bridge over Mill Creek and our extensive walking/biking trail system provide connectivity. Vision 2040 surveys from all over Lenexa indicated residents feel connected regardless of where they live.

Community investments east of I-435 include the planned Community Center/Senior Center in Old Town, Sar-Ko-Par Trails/Ad Astra/Flat Rock Creek pools, the planned trail tunnel under 87th Street, ongoing pavement maintenance and Quivira Road improvements from 75th to 87th Street. Continuing city investment draws private development, such as Sonoma Plaza. Like City Center, the central gathering place envisioned by Vision 2020, our planned Public Safety Facility will be situated near the center of our city, enabling rapid response to all areas of Lenexa. I support continuing capital investment throughout all areas of Lenexa

Lenexa’s 100th Anniversary Celebration (which I chaired) presented events all across the city, from a talent show at St. James High School to a Street Fair and Carnival in Old Town. Vision 2030 (which I co-chaired) promoted recreational opportunities throughout Lenexa, e.g.: expansion/connection of our walking/biking trail system.

I support Lenexa’s philosophy of governance of a unified city.

The Mayor and City Council commit to responsible governance and pledge that local decisions will be made in a transparent, thoughtful, and inclusive manner. We strive to do the right things for the right reasons guided by core principles.

Principles specific to inclusivity (underlines added):

Strategic Community Investment: Purposefully invest in high-quality infrastructure, facilities,
programs, and initiatives across all areas of the community.

Inclusive Community Building: Enthusiastically engage the public in community initiatives and
visioning, including intentionally seeking input and ideas from a diverse assembly of stakeholders.

Sustainable Policies and Practices: Lead by example in implementing sustainable and resilient
practices where financially and operationally practical as well as enact community-wide policies
and strategies that motivate both residents and businesses to do so when reasonable.

Values-based Organizational Culture: Create an organization that reflects the community’s
diversity and fosters a superior culture by employing, supporting, and rewarding professionals
who make decisions with integrity, deliver results through teamwork, provide exceptional service,
lead into the future with vision, are dedicated to excellence, and who truly care about Lenexa.

Hophine Bwosinde

Old town Lenexa and surrounding areas is an important part of history for the residents of Lenexa East of 435. Some residents on the East side of 435 might feel that the modern developments West of 435 including the New City Center and Market have left them “ignored”. Whereas we all look forward to Modern facilities, it my desire to ask the council if elected to think of revitalization of the Old Town to ensure that memories are preserved in the ‘Lenexa Way and the residents of this area can enjoy both the benefits of the Modern and Old.

On Wednesday, we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

Climate change continues to be top of mind for many Shawnee Mission Post readers. What steps can Lenexa take to prepare neighborhoods for increased flooding, along with extreme heat and drought events? What steps would you like to see the city take to build climate resilience?