Last time we touched on the topic in this column space, the updated timeline for the expected completion of the new City Hall building/police headquarters in Platte City was late July. I’ve since been told the opening won’t be in July, so let’s shoot for sometime in August.
We’ll do our best to keep you posted.
Construction at the FBI’s new Kansas City Field Office, going up near the intersection of I-29 and NW 112th Street, seems to be progressing, as you’ve probably noticed as you traverse the interstate in Platte County. Groundbreaking for the new facility was held in May 2022.
The U.S. General Services Administration signed a lease agreement procuring a parcel of land in the interest of the FBI that is approximately 14.3 acres of land along Northwest Prairie View Road, just west of Interstate 29 at NW 112th Street. The site along the KCI Corridor will serve as the FBI’s new Kansas City Field Office, where a majority of employees and Task Force Officers will serve for years to come.
The lease is with US Federal Properties, a real estate firm headquartered out of Kansas City, that leases to the U.S. federal government and its agencies. The new property is 136,910 square feet of office space for a term of 20 years with an option to extend.
Last update I received listed the projected opening date as fall of 2023.
Larissa Knapp, acting associate deputy director of the FBI, said at the 2022 groundbreaking ceremony that the new facility will accommodate the health and wellness of its team members, feature many collaborative spaces, and ensure a strong sense of security. “The Kansas City Office will not only have a gym, but it will also have an outdoor sports court, a fitness area, and a yoga space so our employees can actually blow off some steam and recharge their batteries, which is important to maintaining their mission. Shaded by trees, the central courtyard will also feature an amphitheater, a coffee patio, and places for presentations,” she added. “This new field office is going to be an amazing place to work, and the folks here deserve nothing less,” said Knapp.
The FBI told us last year that another advantage of moving to the KCI corridor is the benefit of having more people in-house, which improves internal communication. The FBI has more than a 300-person workforce throughout the Kansas City division territory. Now with the new building, a majority of all FBI employees within the KC metropolitan area will be under one roof.
In addition to its main office in Kansas City–soon to be in Platte County–the FBI has eight satellite offices including: Joplin, Jefferson City, St. Joseph, Springfield, Garden City, Manhattan, Topeka, and Wichita.
It is a reality. A new judgeship position is being created for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Platte County.
The move to a sixth circuit court judge had been talked about and rumored for years. I wrote recently that I first heard that another judge position was about to be created to serve Platte County back in 2013. That was 10 years ago. After a decade, the speculation is over, as on Friday, June 30, Gov. Mike Parson signed a budget which includes funding for a the new judgeship in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Who will fill the role of new judge? That process begins now.
The Sixth Circuit Judicial Commission is accepting applications for the newly created position. Application deadline is Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. The judicial commission will meet Aug. 25 at the Platte County Courthouse to conduct public interviews of the applicants and to select a panel of three nominees for the vacancy. The names of those three nominees will then be sent to the governor and he’ll make his choice for the appointment.
Comparing gas prices has become a little more interesting locally as of late. On a recent Sunday, the Casey’s General Store in Platte City was priced at $3.14 per gallon while most of other local outlets were way up at $3.39. I filled up the vehicle I was driving when I noticed the surprising Casey’s price, then went home to get the other ride and drove back to Platte City to fill it up as well. Thought I better get it done before Casey’s changed its mind about pricing. Casey’s kept it at $3.14 the rest of that Sunday but the next morning I took a spin to get an update, and Casey’s had shot up from $3.14 to $3.39 overnight while most of the competition in the overnight hours had dropped from $3.39 to $3.29. Wut?
Somebody tell me again how gas prices are a simple supply-and- demand thing. I’ll try not to smile.
As of July 3, the average price of gasoline in the Kansas City market is $3.25, down eight cents from the previous week. In Platte County, most outlets are around $3.14.
Last year at this time the average price per gallon in the KC area was $4.40.
A group of Downtown Platte City retailers/merchants met again last week as they work to organize a plan to increase traffic in the Main Street business district. Some of the topics that were discussed include establishing a social media presence that is clear, concise and easy, including the hashtag #downtownplattecity in future posts. Downtown businesses are encouraged to work together to share each other’s social media posts for visibility and awareness. A subcommittee of the group will start working on a mission statement and logo to share with the group at the next monthly meeting.
Some beautification ideas for Main Street are also being discussed, such as flowers in planters/hanging baskets and banners on the light posts. City officials recently indicated a willingness to be supportive in the way of funds for those type items.
(Look for Foley in #downtownplattecity or just email ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)