High praise for the looks of the new City Hall for Platte City, which was opened to the public last Wednesday night, Nov. 1. Impressive in its layout while offering what should be top-notch functionality for all city departments.
I hope you were one of the 100 or so who took advantage of the opportunity to view the new space. The new building officially becomes City Hall on Monday morning, Nov. 13 when city offices will open for the first official business day from 224 Marshall Road, just up the street from your new home of The Landmark at 212 Marshall Road.
Speaking of The Landmark’s new home, I think I had mentioned a likely open house to be held this fall. Not sure we need it. There have been so many of you who took advantage of our open invitation to drop in to tour during our first couple of months in the modern and very functional space that I’m not sure we need an official open house event. Besides, we’re entering the holiday season, which means our official open house administrator–office manager/Miss Christmas Cindy Rinehart–will be taking off more days so she can “get her stuff done” at home.
You probably wouldn’t want any part of an open house that featured Ivan Foley as the only planner and host. Just saying.
Anyway, if you haven’t been by to see our new space at 212 Marshall please drop in.
Dagmar Wood says she will be running for county assessor when the candidate filing period opens early next year. Assuming incumbent David Cox files for re-election, that would set up a potentially fiery primary campaign season between the two. I get the impression there isn’t a lot of love between those two.
Wood’s decision obviously opens the door for potential county commission candidates to step forward in the first district. There is very likely some recruiting already going on behind the scenes. Heck, I think some was already going on in an attempt to find an opponent against Wood.
Could be a fun local election season in 2024. We’ll be here for it. Come along for the ride.
There will likely be a bit more on this in next week’s Landmark, but let it be known the Platte County Commission has hired its next legal counsel. On Monday the commissioners entered into a contract with Rob A. Redman to be county counselor and his associate, Kelly Tobin, to be assistant county counselor for the purpose of providing legal services to the county commission. The attorneys will charge the county at the rate of $300 per hour.
Going back to the City Hall open house in Platte City: The council chambers, or board chambers, or board meeting room, whatever you choose to call it, is impressive. Marji Gehr, city administrator, says some members of the public during the open house inquired about microphones in the new board room and “anecdotally noted the size of the room could make it challenging to hear in the audience.”
Some of the other public feedback mentioned by Gehr this week included “several individuals indicated surprise that our new facility did not include any police detention capabilities but were pleased with the continuation of the city’s policy to utilize the Platte County Detention Facility for those public safety needs.”
Interesting tidbit: The size of the soon to be former City Hall at 400 Main Street is 3,200 sq. ft. The size of a courtroom that Platte County Circuit Court Judge Ann Hansbrough says she needs is 3,000 sq. ft.
Think about that for a minute. Platte City ran its entire administrative operations, had space for serving its general public functions, and its council chambers/meeting room, mayor’s office, etc. in a space that Hansbrough claims she needs just for her courtroom.
Lol.
Barley & Vine, the brewery/wine bar in Downtown Platte City, is now open for business. It’s at 246 Main Street, next door to where your favorite newspaper was located for years, in the former home of Mary Ann Brooks’ Wellsbrooke Antiques.
Laura Lowry and her husband Dr. David Lowry had major renovations done to the building and it is immaculate. We were in there last Friday evening for a soft opening event and can tell you that you’ll be impressed with the features and furnishings. Also, I gave the Landmark Lager–named after your favorite newspaper-a try and can confirm it is tasty. Order it by name.
Official grand opening celebration for Barley & Vine is this Saturday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Laura says activities will include food trucks, live music, tarot readings and a 360 degree camera. Sounds like a good time will be had by all.
You’ll find more on this on our website today and in next week’s print edition but here are your Tuesday night election results: Parkville passed its use tax proposal by a count of 505 in favor to 455 against, that’s 52.6% in favor to 47.4% opposed. Parkville’s sales tax on marijuana sales passed easily, with nearly 77% in favor to 23% opposed.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City bus transit tax of 3/8th cent was easily renewed, as Platte County’s recent complaint of lack of representation on the KCATA board apparently didn’t significantly resonate with local voters. Platte County voters overwhelmingly supported the renewal of that sales tax with 68% in favor to 32% opposed. Citywide it passed with more than 73% in favor.
(If Hansbrough gets a 3,000 sq. ft. courtroom maybe it can be opened up to host citywide festivals and other big-time events. Email ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)