BonnerSprings.com

There’s no doubt in the minds of city leaders in the area that 2009 was a difficult year.

But that doesn’t stop mayors Clausie Smith, of Bonner Springs, and John “Tiny” McTaggart, of Edwardsville, from being optimistic about what 2010 holds for their respective cities.

“Our goal, as always, is to remain fiscally responsible while continuing to improve services we have and maintain, or lower the mill levy,” said Smith about his 2010 goals.

Some of the highlights that Smith said he is looking forward to seeing in 2010 include the opening of Walgreens and Burger King in the Bonner Pointe development site, located on the corner of Kansas Avenue and Kansas Highway 7.

Also, Smith said, DK Fleet Sales, a wholesale automotive fleet company that supplies dealers with vehicles for their pre-owned departments, will be constructing a new 6,830 square foot office and warehouse facility in 2010 in the Bonner Springs Industrial Park.

“I think with the addition of Burger King, Grasspad Nursery, Walgreens, the new (Bottle 12) wine bar and 520 Apartments, I think all these things will maintain our sales tax base while we grow it,” Smith said.

Other projects besides the two Bonner Pointe businesses that were started in 2009 and are expected to be completed in 2010 include Kump Avenue and Front Street.

Both projects, Smith said, have been a challenge for Bonner Springs drivers, but when they finish, they should be a big improvement and well worth the wait.

“(They’ve) been a problem for a lot of people,” Smith said. “When they’re done they’ll be beautiful streets and much safer.”

But even with the excitement of almost complete projects, Smith said that 2010 would still be as difficult financially as 2009.

“It’s a problem every city and every person faces,” Smith said. “There’s a lack of finances and not a lot of new programs coming on line right now.”

Smith’s hope for 2010 is that property appraisals will level out, instead of the big drops seen in 2009. If that happens, Smith said he hopes to move forward with other ideas that have been set aside because of finances.

In the meantime, Smith said in 2010 the city will continue to resurface as many streets as it can afford and continue to maintain infrastructure of the park system.

“I think the future looks good for us,” he said.

His reason for the optimism is the root for how the city was able to hold the mill levy for the 2010 budget.

“We’ve been fiscally responsible,” he said. “We’ve added programs, redone streets, upgraded equipment, but we’ve stayed fiscally responsible. We’re no different than other people. We have a limited amount of income and we have to live within it.”

Down Kansas Highway 32 to Bonner Springs’ neighbor to the east, the Edwardsville mayor is also hopeful for what 2010 will bring.

“I think we’ve got a really good, bright outlook,” McTaggart said.

The year should bring the beginning of construction of EARP Distribution, the sole wholesale provider of foods and goods to approximately 450 McDonalds and Chipotle Mexican Grills in the Midwest, to Edwardsville on the corner of Woodend Road and 98th Street.

The deal is still in the works and should be completed within the next month. If the deal comes through, McTaggart said construction would start as soon as possible and the facility would open in January 2011.

As has been the goal of Edwardsville leaders for the past decade, development on the north end of town remains a priority for McTaggart.

“We continue to have nibbles of interest on the north end,” McTaggart said of potential deals that could come to existence.

Keeping McTaggart’s hopes high, however, are the multi-million dollar projects that have been announced for the Legends at Village West in Kansas City, Kan., located right next to the northern perimeter of Edwardsville.

McTaggart said the casino planned to be built next to the Kansas Speedway, the Wizards soccer stadium and Cerner corporate campus, also in the works, should bring more development to the entire area, including Edwardsville.

An issue that’s been holding northern development back as well is also taking steps forward as the city will continue in 2010 to come to an agreement with the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte County to bring sewer systems and other infrastructure to the site.

“We’re proceeding with an agreement with the UG to put in sewer hook ups,” McTaggart said. “What we’re doing right now is getting the agreement worked out so when the time comes, we’re ready.”

While 2009 presented several financial challenges for Edwardsville, and McTaggart said 2010 would be just as challenging, the nibbles of development on their way are promising.

“I really, really have high expectations,” McTaggart said. “I think there’s going to be really good growth for all of Wyandotte County. The future is really looking good.”

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