By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

K-State Athletics Director Gene Taylor unveiled Saturday the largest capital project in department history ( 105 million ) pas part of the overall facility master plan that will benefit all 16 Wildcat athletic programs.

The department has already raised more than $69 million of the $105 million total project cost, and construction on the first of four projects, the south end zone improvements at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, is scheduled to begin in May of 2020 following approval later this month by the Kansas Board of Regents. Completion is expected by the start of the 2021 football season.

Also included in this capital initiative is the construction of a new volleyball arena, Olympic performance training center and a new football indoor facility and outdoor practice field. Construction of the final three components will begin once appropriate funding has been committed and approval has been given by the Board of Regents.

“One of our top departmental priorities is to provide our teams the best facility they need to compete for championships while doing so in a manner that makes sense for K-State, both financially and practically. and this project is consistent with that goal.”

The south end zone project at Bill Snyder Family Stadium ( $50 million ) will include a new club /suite/loge premium seating area, expanded Legends Room event space, upgraded restrooms and concessions, additional concession and new restrooms on the south concourse and new video boards in the southeast and southwest corners of the stadium. The project will also extend the northwest and northeast entrances to Bramlage Coliseum by 17.5 feet, adding nearly 4,500 feet of additional concourse space inside Bramlage.

The new volleyball competition arena ( 17.5 million ) will have retractable seating for up to 3,500 fans and also house new locker rooms, team lounge, staff offices, training spaces and a team theatre. Adjacent to that facility will be the

new Olympic Performance Training Facility ( $13 million ) which would house spaces for a strength and conditioning center, sports medicine, locker rooms, equipment and nutrition areas and storage for Olympic sport teams.

On the east side of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, the new indoor football practice facility ( $24.5 million ) would included a 200′ by 400′ practice field with 65′ roof clearance and accessibility to the Vanier Complex and football stadium. Additional features would include a limestone exterior to match stadium and campus architecture as well as a new outdoor practice field.

“While we have a great start to fundraising which has provided momentum, energy and confidence, it is imperative that Wildcat fans continue to contribute at any level and be a part of this very important initiative to cement our position as a leader in the Big 12 and collegiate athletics, Taylor added.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that a Junction City teen took Deputies on a vehicle pursuit through the city Saturday morning before bailing out of the pickup on foot, running into his residence and barricading himself in his room. The teen was later taken into custody.

At 7:07 a.m. the Sheriff’s Department received a call about an erratic driver traveling east on I-70 in a red pick-up that was all over the roadway and traveling up to 90 mph. A few minutes later Deputies located a vehicle matching the description in the roundabout on East Street and East Chestnut Street.

The vehicle circled the Walmart parking and then failed to stop at a stop sign before turning east on East Chestnut Street. The pick-up led Deputies on a pursuit through Junction City, north on U-S 77, then back through the city using various roads and alleys before coming to a stop in the 100 block of West 5th Street before the driver got out and fled on foot.

The teen ran into his residence in the 100 block of West 4th Street and barricaded himself in his room. Deputies with the assistance of the JCPD and the Kansas Highway Patrol set up a perimeter around the residence before later entering the residence where the teen surrendered to Deputies without incident.

The teen was arrested on suspicion of Felony Fleeing and Eluding by Engaging in Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended, Obstruction of Legal Process, Failure to Stop at a Sign, Failure to Signal, Failure to Maintain Single Lane of Travel and Speeding.

The Geary County CVB Director Michelle Stimatze is on board with a proposal to establish a new Gastro Park in the 900 block of North Washington in downtown Junction City.

Stimatze noted that when long term groups such as contractors come into the city they want things to do. “Not only would it add a unique atmosphere to the downtown area, and I think we would defintely see some results from it.

Stimatze also sees the proposed project as a potential boost to the transient guest tax paid by visitors to the community using local lodging faciliies.

The Gastro Park proposed by business man Todd Godfrey would include a network of food trucks and shipping containers where food from different natonalities could be served. There would be outdoor seating and a stage for potential concerts.

The proposal was outlined for the Junction City Commission this past week. City staff will now investigate the idea to look at areas ranging from building codes to any noise issues.

 

Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy talked to the students and teachers at Seitz Elementary School during a visit on Thursday.

He said the kids are happy. “They like being here. They like their teachers. You could just feel it in the hallways.” McCarthy stated it’s difficult to quantify. “But when you see the teachers are excited, the facilities are clean, they’re well resourced, that’s what our Army families deserve.”

( All photos provided courtesy of Joshua Ferguson, USD 475 )

 

Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will be manning booths at the State Fair beginning Friday and continuing through the to the end of the Fair on September 15.

They will be promoting Geary County and Fort Riley attractions.

 

The Acting Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy, was part of the effort in 2010 to obtain the federal funding used to build Seitz Elementary School at Fort Riley. At the time he was serving as a Special Assistant to then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

McCarthy returned to the post on Thursday with Seitz Elementary being one of his stops. He remembered being in attendance the day Gates committed to obtaining funding for the school. “I was riding with him in the truck on the way over here and I was on the phone most of the time because we were in the final touches talking to lawyers and the finance organizations within the Department of Defense. We talked right before he went out on stage to talk to the ( military ) families where he going to make that commitment.”

McCarthy added that Gates’ pledge was accomplished. ” He had said there will be a shovel in the ground before the summer of 2011, and sure enough nine months later it got done.”

McCarthy toured the school on Thursday where he met with students, teachers and administrators. He was accompanied by U.S> Senator Jerry Moran, USD 475 leaders and other local military and civilian leaders.

During discussions with the students McCarthy visited classrooms, the library and the lunchroom as well as the commons area. He learned about topics ranging from the fact that Seitz Elementary School is a green school where a rain water study is under way now to the focus on quality learning and development of social skills. And the Acting Secretary of the Army learned from one student that the lunches served at the school were a highlight as well.

The groundbreaking for Seitz Elementary School was held on May 19, 2011. The school opened with 680 students on Aug. 15, 2012 and the formal ribbon cutting was held on September 14, 2012. The school is named after the late ( Lt. Gen. ) RIchard Seitz.  He was an active supporter of Geary County schools following his 35-year military career.

Today the current capacity of the school is 675 students.

McCarthy’s schedule at Fort Riley also included visits with 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley leaders and troops.

Nearly 70 vendors were represented during the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo Wednesday evening in Heritage Park.

The Member Relations Director for the Chamber, Amy Garner, said organizers want the community to see what is available in Junction City. “What businesses are here, we have a lot of home businesses in the area. ” She added that those attending could also learn about opportunities to serve with nonprofits.

Garner said there was a good grouping of retail vendors, professional services and nonprofit service organizations represented in the Expo.

City Manager Allen Dinkel enjoyed the event. “It’s fun. Even though I’ve been here four and a half years I see new businesses and things that are offered in this community to buy and enjoy.” Dinkel also enjoyed visiting with members of the community.

 

 

By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Junction City businessman Todd Godfrey wants to purchase a vacant city-owned lot in the 900 block of North Washington Street for $1 in order to develop a Gastro Park concept. He is working with Bobby Santacroce, St. Marys, who is involved in a food truck network.

Godfrey told the city commission Tuesday night he has traveled to California two times to investigate this type of park. “where basically is a network of food trucks. ” It would consist partially of shipping containers that would include kitchens plus temporary pads allowing food trucks and trailers to hook up to water, sewer and electricity.

There would be eight to ten locations and an outdoor eating area with food from multiple nationalities that would be served. “We have some authentic Mexican food that wants to come in. Also we would be looking at serving craft beer and wine at that location as well.”

Godfrey said on a daily basis in that area primarily 18 to 45-year-olds go back and forth all day long. He wants the development to cater to that specific age group. He also noted that his proposal would include a five-year property tax abatement where the taxes would continue to be paid at their current rte and then be adjusted at the end of that period for the increase in the value of the property.

The site would be fenced in, include nearby parking, and a stage on-site for musical performances. An overhead canopy to provide sun protection, misters in the summer to keep the area cool or some radiant heat and a gas fire pit for the winter were other possibilities mentioned. Members of the public could possibly order food from food trucks on-site and have it delivered to their home.

Godfrey indicated that he has been informed that the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is all in on the idea as a way to attract outside visitors,  and the Military Affairs Council has expressed interest in the concept as a way of possibly drawing visitors from Fort Riley.  He stated that he would also form a committee comprised of local residents called Godfrey’s Gives “with the intent that organizations or citizens from this community could request funds from that account that would be disbursed in an amount not to exceed $500 per month for 60 months, which would be $30,000 over 60 months.”

Commissioners Phyllis Fitzgerald, Pat Landes, Jeff Underhill and Nick Allbritton all expressed support for the idea. There was no opposition from the governing body.   City Manager Allen Dinkel wants to research building codes and is concerned about possible noise impact on residential neighbors in that area.

Landes told Godfrey the city will do research and see if the project can be done. He noted the concept is great but there are a lot of things to check on. More discussion could occur in the future.

No action was taken by the governing body Tuesday night.

 

 

Mya Deal wanted permission to raise chickens within the city limits. The Deer Trail resident asked permission to raise a maximum of six chickens with no crowing fowl. But the Junction City Commission did not approve the request Tuesday night.

No vote was taken but during discussion three of the five commissioners were opposed. Commissioners Jeff Underhill and Nick Allbritton were in favor of the idea but Phyllis Fitzgerald, Tim Brown and Pat Landes were opposed.

When the discussion reached Pat Landes the rest of the governing body had split 2-2 on the issue. Landes noted there is still a financial crisis in the City. “I don’t want to have to add more staff just to monitor yet one more situation in this town. To me it’s financial.” The mayor added if you want to have chickens get out in the county.

Commissioners and city staff were quick to point out that Deal would be a responsible owner but there would be others that would have to be policed.

Commissioner Fitzgerald expressed concerns about potential predators such as snakes becoming a problem,  while  Commissioner Tim Brown noted some concern about smell and unsightliness of chicken coops and pens. City Manager Allen Dinkel said some cities do allow and some do not allow chickens in back yards, but if the governing body were to allow chickens in a city ordinance be specific and make it for chickens only. Otherwise ducks would follow.

The end result is that the city commission took no formal action on the request.

The next Junction City Little Theater production, “Working A Musical” involves the extraordinary dreams of ordinary people. The show is scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

Co-Director Mary Louise Stahl said it’s about anyone who has a job, ever had one or hopes to have one. “It’s a lot of songs and dances, you’ll laugh you’ll cry and you’ll be happy with yourself.”

Erin Avera portrays a third grade teacher in the show. “It’s kind of showcasing this teacher’s discovery of how the times have changed, and how she as a teacher is having a hard changing with the times. It’s her exit monologue. It’s her good-bye to her classroom but in a very hey, no one’s teaching me how to do this kind of way.”

Joshua Childs portrays a steel worker in the show. “He talks about he’s a laborer which is something not too common now-a-days. He says he’s a dying breed. He talks a lot about hard he works, especially for his family.”

The Junction City Little Theater is bringing the show back from 2003 with this new and revised version. Get tickets at the Opera House by calling 785-238-3906.