Council Is Evaluating Opportunities for Land Purchase

See map in the December 31, 2021 City Newsletter.

Late in 2021, the City learned of the upcoming sale of 40 acres of land located on the southwest border of Lake Quivira along Renner Road within the City of Shawnee. Representatives from the City, Quivira Inc. and the Lake Quivira Foundation met to discuss the feasibility of purchasing the property. The owner agreed to sell the property to a Lake Quivira entity but only if the transaction was completed by the end of the year.

The City Council considered the issue and voted to acquire the property for $1.1M, which was below the property appraisal. The transaction was completed in early December 2021. The City financed the purchase by issuing temporary “interest only” notes for a four-year term in order to give the City time to evaluate its options.

Since the property was purchased, the City established a land committee to identify, review and evaluate potential options for the property. The City contracted with Olsson Engineering to complete an environmental/water study. Additionally, it cleaned up the property by removing the existing house, two other structures, junked vehicles, and trash and capped an existing water well.

The land presents a unique opportunity to protect the watershed and Lake, safeguard Lake Quivira’s border and enhance our green space -- all consistent with Lake Quivira core values of Preserving the Lake and its Surrounding Natural Assets, Commitment to Environmental Stewardship, and Preserving Green Space.