In an effort to increase collaboration among elected officials ahead of the Panasonic development, city commissioners and School Board members met for a special work session Wednesday night.
The meeting largely focused on expanding residential and commercial areas within the city.
City Manager Barack Matite discussed the city’s planned STAR Bond project, which will include a sports and entertainment arena. The $40 million project was announced earlier this month, and is expected to boost economic development in Eudora.
Though this project was in the works before the Panasonic factory plans were announced, Matite said the two will somewhat work in tandem with each other, as Eudora welcomes an influx of residents tied to the factory’s arrival.
Superintendent Stu Moeckel feels it is crucial to keep having conversations now, rather than later. Moeckel said this issue shouldn’t just be focused at the city level because it affects students and parents, too.
“We all serve the same community, and so making sure we are all on the same page because what the city does is going to affect us with that student growth and with those families,” Moeckel said. “The same taxpayers that pay the city also use us as a resource.”
Moeckel’s regular meetings with the city help keep everyone up-to-date, and he said the city is in a good place.
Gardner community development director David Knopick spoke about his experience of grappling with rapid growth following the construction of Logistics Park KC in nearby Edgerton. Gardner increased in population from about 3,000 in 1990 to 23,000 now.
Knopnick understands that retaining a quaint, small-town feel while being able to generate tax revenue with growing infrastructure is important to the community. Knopnick corresponds regularly with Eudora officials, including Matite.
Knopick said a flood of developers will arrive in Eudora soon, in anticipation of population growth.
“It’s important to be selective and find the quality you want, not just accept everything that comes down the road toward you,” Knopick said.
Since the board and city have collaborated on projects before, Board President Mark Chrislip knows they can find success.
“Historically, we have been able to do this together, but I think the intentionality is going to have to increase,” Chrislip said. “I appreciate just seeing the vision. We have a vision, too. Tying those together so Eudora can maintain the value structure we have is going to be important.”
City officials emphasized that some infrastructure issues could be fixed faster if board members expressed their concerns and opinions to elected officials.
“You have a lot of weight. You have a lot of influence,” Matite said.
In other news, Mayor Tim Reazin provided an update on the Nottingham development, as he said he received questions from community members about its status.
The city’s agreement with the High 5 Entertainment Center was suspended over the summer, but the city is still speaking to potential retailers.
“We are very picky about what goes in there,” Reazin said. “It’ll fill in with things that want to come to Eudora for the right reasons.”
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