Posts by Roxie Hammill:

Rating agency puts Aspiria project loan on ‘downgrade’ watch

A quest for a new repayment deadline for the Aspiria project in Overland Park has prompted a bond rating agency to put the $232.5 million loan on “watch downgrade” status and

A quest for a new repayment deadline for the Aspiria project in Overland Park has prompted a bond rating agency to put the $232.5 million loan on “watch downgrade” status and


4 ways Johnson County could tackle housing affordability

Prairie Village Homes Association near 72nd Street and Roe Avenue

Four proposals on affordable housing — including a Habitat for Humanity neighborhood development that will be the first of its kind in the county — are being discussed by the

Four proposals on affordable housing — including a Habitat for Humanity neighborhood development that will be the first of its kind in the county — are being discussed by the


Johnson County explores property tax rebate pilot for seniors

Correction: This story has been updated to show that the rebate proposal’s income cap is $384,600, not $350,000 as an earlier version stated. Five cities in Johnson County as well as

Correction: This story has been updated to show that the rebate proposal’s income cap is $384,600, not $350,000 as an earlier version stated. Five cities in Johnson County as well as


Panasonic project brings focus to Johnson County’s rural roads

The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western

The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western


After lean pandemic years, Overland Park is drawing visitors again

Businesses connected to Overland Park tourism have begun to bounce back from some tough pandemic years, thanks in part to money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, said Warren

Businesses connected to Overland Park tourism have begun to bounce back from some tough pandemic years, thanks in part to money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, said Warren


Johnson County budget proposal cuts property taxes, boosts worker pay

The starting point for next year’s county budget will be a quarter mill reduction in the property tax rate, which County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson said would enable necessary employee

The starting point for next year’s county budget will be a quarter mill reduction in the property tax rate, which County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson said would enable necessary employee


Johnson County sheriff’s election probe results so far? 1 case, no criminal charges

Earlier this spring, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden painted a distressing picture of the county’s elections during a hearing before a Kansas Senate committee. According to his testimony, there had been

Earlier this spring, Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden painted a distressing picture of the county’s elections during a hearing before a Kansas Senate committee. According to his testimony, there had been


Aspiria owner wants to renegotiate its loan — Here’s why

The company developing the 207-acre former Sprint campus in Overland Park has taken steps to negotiate new terms for its loan with JPMorgan Chase. Wichita-based Occidental Management, operating as OPS-KC

The company developing the 207-acre former Sprint campus in Overland Park has taken steps to negotiate new terms for its loan with JPMorgan Chase. Wichita-based Occidental Management, operating as OPS-KC


Overland Park drops city food inspections, ending ‘redundancy’ with state checks

The Overland Park City Council ended the city’s unique restaurant inspection program Monday, saying it was an unnecessary duplication of state inspections and that the double inspections put a burden

The Overland Park City Council ended the city’s unique restaurant inspection program Monday, saying it was an unnecessary duplication of state inspections and that the double inspections put a burden


Johnson County chair wants citizen panels on diversity, sustainability

A proposal to create new citizen advisory groups on diversity and sustainability are moving forward after county commissioners last week discussed – sometimes testily – how they should be set

A proposal to create new citizen advisory groups on diversity and sustainability are moving forward after county commissioners last week discussed – sometimes testily – how they should be set


Overland Park commission OKs rezoning of undeveloped land for new homes

Plans for a new development of single-family homes at 183rd Street and Quivira Road got rezoning approval this week from the Overland Park Planning Commission. The Woodmyre project would be

Plans for a new development of single-family homes at 183rd Street and Quivira Road got rezoning approval this week from the Overland Park Planning Commission. The Woodmyre project would be


New Overland Park urgent care clinic plan earns initial OK

A medical office building that was opposed by some of its prospective neighbors cleared an early hurdle this week as the Overland Park Planning Commission unanimously approved its rezoning. The

A medical office building that was opposed by some of its prospective neighbors cleared an early hurdle this week as the Overland Park Planning Commission unanimously approved its rezoning. The



What sales taxes on food am I still paying in Johnson County?

Now that the dust has settled from the 2023 session of the Kansas Legislature, it’s time to sort out what, finally, to expect when it comes to the sales tax

Now that the dust has settled from the 2023 session of the Kansas Legislature, it’s time to sort out what, finally, to expect when it comes to the sales tax


Overland Park considers dropping food inspections, leaving it to state

Overland Park’s unique food safety inspection regime may be on its way out. The city council’s Community Development Committee on Wednesday unanimously recommended ending city inspections of eating establishments because

Overland Park’s unique food safety inspection regime may be on its way out. The city council’s Community Development Committee on Wednesday unanimously recommended ending city inspections of eating establishments because