June 29, 2022

Leawood PD adds green vehicle to black and white fleet

This week the Leawood Police Department introduced a Tesla Model Y electric vehicle into its fleet of black and white patrol cars.

The department first began exploring the idea of adding an electric vehicle to its fleet last year after finding that reviews for currently available hybrid patrol cars were not favorable.

“I ended up contacting about 10 agencies from New York to California,” Capt. Kirt Yoder, the agency’s project manager said of his early quest for information. “Tesla-Kansas City was great. They were eager to help and answer all our questions.”

An early cost comparison done more than a year ago, when the city was able to purchase gas for $1.75 a gallon, showed that the current Ford Explorer Patrol SUV would cost about $4,500 a year for energy costs to operate while a Tesla, based on the 2021 cost of $0.08/kilowatt hour, would cost $648 a year in energy costs.

Last August a presentation was made to the Leawood City Council and they unanimously approved the police department moving forward. That is when the real work began.

Working with outfitters at Ka-Comm Inc. in Olathe, the project slowly took shape and the vehicle is finally ready to hit the streets. It is expected to have a four-year service life, a year longer than the Ford Explorer it replaced.

“I think electric vehicles are going to be the future and this is going to be a good foundation for us,” Yoder said. “Some officers have concerns because this is a smaller vehicle and the extra equipment (of a patrol car) eats into their work space, but others are excited for the new technology.”

The Addams Family
July 14-17 and July 21-23
7:30 p.m. nightly with a 2:00 pm show on Sunday the 17th
Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School
9301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64114

The Addams Family is fun for the entire family and will feature performers of all ages with a children’s ensemble. Based on characters created by Charles Addams with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, this musical brings our favorite ghoulish family to life.

The Addams Family, is a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family- a man her parents have never met. The Addams face change as they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Looks like the summer of 2022 is going to be Hot! Hot! Hot!

Get an early start on your day beginning Saturday, July 2, when the Aquatic Center will open at 11:00 am! The Aquatic Center will open early on weekends at 11 am through the remainder of the season.

Closing time will stay the same at 8:00 p.m. until August 20th when closing time switches to 6 pm.

Monday, July 4 – 6:00-9:30pm
Leawood City Park
10601 Lee Boulevard

Featuring Live Music by the Stolen Winnebagos

Bust a move to live music, laugh as neighborhood kids bounce in inflatables, and race your own family down the slide or through the obstacle course! Chow down on delicious food from food truck vendors before the fireworks show caps off the night!

Limited free parking along Tomahawk Creek Parkway and shuttle buses to and from City Park at no cost.
(Shuttles run from 10 am through end of event with exception of during fireworks show.)

Handicap parking available in the park with display of HC accessible tags or placards.

FREE Admission

City Park will be closed to all vehicles on Monday, July 4.

For more information, please click here

Please do not walk in the road on the east bound / west bound portion of Lee Boulevard.

Please see the link below regarding Cases 25-22, 26-22, and 27-22 State Line Pump Stations.
https://www.jcwprogram.com/stateline

These cases are proposed to be heard at the June 28, 2022 Planning Commission, starting at 6 PM.

Please contact Ricky Sanchez, City Planner, with any questions at (913) 663-9164 or richards@leawood.org

Due to electrical connections needed to be completed by Evergy, the pool will not open until 2:00 pm this Friday, June 17.

Again, we appreciate your patience.
The Parks, Recreation & Arts Team

The City of Leawood residents impacted by the recent severe weather can drop storm debris: branches, limbs, stumps and/or damaged fences, to the Parks Maintenance Facility at 2008 W. 104th Street. The site will be open Saturday, June 11 to Monday, June 13 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm all three days.

You must have proof of residency to drop off debris at the site, providing either a Leawood ID or an ID matching a utility bill with a Leawood address. Vehicles shall be a 1 ton pickup or smaller and trailers will be allowed. Large commercial vehicles will not be permitted to drop off debris.

Leawood staff will direct vehicles in to the parking lot but will not be available to help unload vehicles. Please be aware of possible traffic or waiting in line to access the site.

Press Release

The pool will open tomorrow and will operate at the normal schedule of 12 Noon – 8:00 pm.
Sales of daily admission and season passes will be available and cash will be accepted as well as debit/credit cards.
The concession stand will not be open at this time however; you may bring in your own food and drink (no glass containers or alcohol please!)
Swim lessons will also take place at their normal session times.
Swim/Dive teams will continue to practice elsewhere.

Thank you for your continued patience.
The Parks, Recreation & Arts team.

The KC Symphony Ensemble Concert for June 1st has been cancelled due to impending weather. We will let you know when it will be rescheduled.

Starting Monday, May 23rd, J.M. Fahey will be closing Lee Blvd, from W 83rd St to Somerset Dr., to through traffic, for road widening, addition of bike lanes, replacement of water line, and storm sewer work. Anticipated reopening is Friday, October 28th.

This will be a FULL ROAD CLOSURE with access for local traffic only. *Please note that all access to Lee Blvd from 81st St will also be closed.

Drivers should be alert and follow the posted construction and detour routes

Press Release

Description: AT&T is installing new fiber, to upgrade their network. This should allow for better and faster internet. Some work will be performed in the City regulated right-of-way along roads and in front yards. Most of the work will occur within public utility easements located in residential side yards and along rear property lines. Please note, the City does not regulate these easements. If you have questions or concerns regarding AT&T work, please use the contact information below.

Contractor: Heartland Midwest LLC, 913-397-7613

Customer Concerns: 913-676-1801

Affected Subdivisions & Developments
AT&T Service Map

For more information, or to get notified when AT&T Fiber becomes available, scan the QR code below, or visit www.att.com/fiberfaqs:

Starting Friday, May 20th, Superior Bowen will be closing State Line Road from 103rd St – I-435 for Mill & Overlay. Anticipated reopening is Monday, May 23rd at 5:00 am.

Press Release

The Leawood Arts Council presents the September Sounds Concert Series featuring Atlantic Express. This band will have you on your feet with a selection of soul, funk and R&B! Tina’s Trucks will be selling a selection of delicious food before and during the show.

The show will be held in front of the Leawood Aquatic Center inside Leawood City Park on Friday, September 23rd from 6:00-7:30pm. This event is FREE for ALL AGES! For more information, call (913) 663-9154.

The Leawood Arts Council presents the September Sounds Concert Series featuring the M80s. This Midwestern 80s cover band will be singing all the best songs from pop, rock, funk, and new wave. Wear your best 80s attire and you could win prizes in the costume contest! Categories are Best Overall 80s Outfit, Best 80s Couple, and Best 80s Character or Icon. The Melt Truck will be selling gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and more before and during the show.

The show will be held in front of the Leawood Aquatic Center inside Leawood City Park on Friday, September 9th from 6:00-7:30pm. This event is FREE for ALL AGES! For more information, call (913) 663-9154.

Construction has begun on the new Leawood Fire Station #1 at 9615 Lee Blvd. It will replace the existing Fire Station #1 at 9609 Lee Blvd which is the oldest operating fire station in Johnson County. The new station was designed by DeGasperi and Associates Architecture and is being built by StructSure Projects. The new station is projected for completion in early November, 2022.

To celebrate the City of Leawood 75th Anniversary in 2023, we are making a commemorative book to complement the Leawood: A Portrait in Time history book. Share your best Leawood memories from 1998 to today!

We’re accepting submissions of original photos or digital photos from 1998 to today that connect to Leawood’s public parks, churches, schools, commercial development, and residential development. Or if you would like to share a fond memory about Leawood, let us know!

See our photo release form for more information.

Photo Release Form