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TONGANOXIE NEWSLETTER City of Tonganoxie, Kansas Future 14th St and East St Design is underway The City Council was excited to prioritize a new 14 St and extension of East St as a prime objective in the City’s Capital Maintenance and Improvement Plan (CMIP). Many readers may not be aware, but in 2008 the City of Tonganoxie (and Basehor) entered into a Corridor Access Management Plan with KDOT for the US 24/40 corridor. This means that whenever access to US 24/40 is considered, KDOT must be consulted and approve the requested access, and KDOT provides guidance on where future intersections should develop. In that report, and anticipating the City’s future growth in the Southern corridor, KDOT identified a future 14 St as a fully signalized intersection. Although it has taken a few years, that growth potential has finally materialized, and the City is taking the lead on building that corridor access. th th The corridor has already seen some growth, but after a failed attempt of the City and USD 464 to co- finance improvements at Washington and East St, the City Council authorized a traffic study in August of 2025. That study was required to better understand the growth that had occurred, as well as balance and predict future needs in the corridor. The City had already invested in water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, as we used a variety of funding sources to extend those utilities South to the Business Park. The anticipated improvements will not only improve traffic flow coming form the Grade and Middle School campuses, but will also open hundreds of acres for development. One of the City’s largest development priorities is to continue the success in residential growth which can provide a variety of housing choices that attracts and retains people at all income levels and stages of life. Following the completion and submittal of the Traffic Study, in December 2025 the City Council authorized design work for this corridor; work that is being completed by BG Consulting, the City’s on- call Engineering firm. Recently, survey crews were out completing the first stage of this work, and we hope to begin design efforts later this Spring. Spring 2026
The Concept map at left shows what 14 St and East St improvements could look like. There would be additional emphasis placed on pedestrian connectivity, both for sidewalks and trails, especially to the schools. th
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Tonganoxie has once again been recognized as one of the safest communities in the State, this time earning the distinction of being #4 in Kansas Safest Cities in 2026, as conducted by Safewise. Other communities on the Top 10 list from Leavenworth County include Lansing (#6) and Basehor (#7). Tonganoxie Police Department (TPD) continues to focus on thorough investigations which lead to the arrest of perpetrators. Our low crime rate relates to our advantage of personally knowing many community members, which fosters mutual trust and cooperation. We have a strong commitment to equity, robust training, and engaging in multiple community initiatives. Community outreach efforts include proactive business engagement, and personal interaction with all age groups, spanning from school-aged children to the retirement community. Tonganoxie continues trend as a leader in Community Safety
The Chart at left, as compiled by the TPD, shows a three year trend in crime statistics. Most crime statistics were decreased from prior years except for “burglaries.” It should be noted that burglaries were not residential but actually pertain to unlocked vehicles that were entered on the street or driveways. TPD also continues community outreach efforts including the Lead to Read program with USD 464, and recently offering the public the opportunity to use the same MILO Virtual, a premier, high-definition, and 4K interactive simulation training system designed for law enforcement, military, and security personnel.
The public was invited to particpate in the use of a MILO training device
Ridge St improvements Due to better than expected bid results for the Front St improvements, the City Council was able to also authorize improvements for Ridge St, which include not only mill and overlay of the surface, but adding sidewalks that connect from Joles St to Front St. We are pleased to close this gap in pedestrian connectivity, especially with the residential units close proximity to the grocery store and public amenities like the Dog Park, Water park and downtown corridor. This project’s timing will be cohesive with Front St when aplicable, but maintaining at least one open roadway at all times.
Downtown Regulation Plan adopted After nearly two years of design, the City Council formally adopted a Downtown Regulating Plan late in 2025, which replaced a twenty-five year old Design Guideline document. The Downtown Regulating Plan is the guidebook for future growth and improvement in Downtown. It describes the community’s vision for Downtown, provides specific strategies to make that vision reality, and kick-starts implementation by including updates to zoning regulations and design standards in and around Downtown. The Plan applies to Tonganoxie’s Historic Business District and neighborhoods near the Historic Business District; roughly bound by U.S. 24 / 40 on the north and west, Washington Street on the south, and East Street on the east. This Plan captures a vision to build upon Downtown Tonganoxie’s historic patterns and design, strengthen Downtown as a vibrant and walkable destination, improve its connection to nearby neighborhoods, promote more housing options in and around Downtown, and encourage investments that enhance this area as the thriving heart of Tonganoxie. As the City develops the FY 2027 CMIP, they wil place an emphasis on key Short-term, incremental, and long-term capital investment strategies to improve walkable streetscapes around Downtown and nearby areas, design better connections between the many parks, recreation opportunities, civic destinations, and community assets in and around Downtown. The Plan also looks to increase and improve Downtown’s social and civic gathering spaces, and strengthen Downtown’s unique sense of identity and history. Some practical components may include adding parking capacity by introducing head-in parking on the South side of 4 St, reducing width of marked crosswalks as a traffic calming feature, reduction in the number of plantings store front while moving towards enhanced group plantings at key placements. th
Renderings depict possible Downtown/4 St enhancements th
Springtime Codes Complinace Updates
Springtime brings back green grass and everything that comes along with it. This is a reminder that grass must be maintained at a reasonable height (less than 8 inches) and noxious weeds such as Thistles and Johnsongrass should be eliminated. Brushy growth should be eliminated, and uncultivated vines should be removed from structures. Trees should be maintained and dead or damaged branches should be removed, trees also should be pruned so as not to overhang sidewalks or roadways, nor prevent visibility for traffic signage or intersection visibility. Also, with warmer weather comes the appearance of mosquitoes. Please do your best to remove breeding habitat such as old tires and containers that would hold water and provide a place for the mosquitoes to lay their eggs. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact the Code Compliance Office at (913)306- 0259.
Park Improvements planned at multiple locations There are significant Parks improvements slated for 2026, located at Gallagher Park, Chieftain Park and the neighborhood park at Stone Creek. First, at Gallagher Park, the City Council approved the purchase of a 16' x 20' shade structure that will serve as a stage for outdoor events. City crews are pouring the pad and extending conduit for electrical connectivity; this is anticipated to be in place by late Spring.
Gallagher Park Stage Cover At Chieftain Park, replacement of the 25 year old playground equipment and improvements to surrounding area are significant, as the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission (TRC) includes a total project budget of $1 million; the renovation will offer updated and accessible play structures for a wide range of ages and abilities, safety surfacing, shade, fencing and other amenities. The City and TRC are in a partnership, as the City had to issue the proceeds to finance this, with TRC repaying the debt. The City, the TRC, and USD 464 each approved an Interlocal Agreement in October 2025 which was approved in February 2026 by the Attorney General of the State of Kansas; the interlocal agreement took effect and allowed the advancement of other portions of the overall project. Following the issuance of a RFP for playground equipment in December 2025, the TRC and project design committee presented a letter of recommendation to the City Council on February 2, 2026, proposing that the City move forward with execution of a contract with Cunningham Recreation/Gametime for the major project for playground replacement and other improvements at Chieftain Park. On March 2, 2026, the City Council also approved conveyance of the Park property from the TRC to the City of Tonganoxie and approval of a property management agreement outlining respective roles and responsibilities of each agency. With financing secured, the project will start public engagement for design input, and we look forward to hearing from Park patrons. The expected construction timeline for these improvements is slated for the winter of 2026 and completion by Spring 2027. This timeframe is intended to use the winter months, which is typically the lowest park patronage due to weather and temperatures.
Finally, the City has also allocated for playground equipment improvements at the Stone Creek neighborhood park. This Park, along with Gallagher Park, are the two park spaces that currently fall under the City’s responsibility; Chieftain park is part of the TRC’s portfolio. We are excited to see this many improvements to the Parks, as they continue to be one of the City’s best amenities, and offer the community great gathering places and serve a large part of the Community’s identity.
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