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Dunn looks into 2008
Philip Batson, Staff Writer
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Leawood Mayor Peggy Dunn recently weighed in on what she expects for the city in 2008.
For Leawood, 2008 does not just represent another year. Instead the city will celebrate its 60th anniversary. The city kicked off the celebration at November’s City Hall holiday lighting ceremony and the celebration will run through next November.
“That will be an overarching theme that you’ll see throughout the year,” Dunn said. “You’re going to see lots of things connected with our 60th anniversary.”
Leawood will have a City Council election in April. Four of the eight council seats, one from each ward, will be up for election.
Leawood will reopen Ironhorse Golf Club in the spring. The club shut down Jan. 1, 2007, to focus on three facility improvement projects, including creek bank stabilization at numerous locations, a storm water management project and the complete renovation of all greens from California sand greens to USGA greens.
“Economically it is real good news for the city because it’s been an economic loss while it’s been closed, not to mention it took a lot of money to fix it,” Dunn said.
The city also plans to dedicate Gezer Park, 133rd Street and Mission Road, but has not finalized a date. The Gezer region of Israel is one of Leawood’s two sister cities. Leawood’s I-Lan Park commemorates its relationship with I-Lan, Taiwan.
“We’d like to have a dedication ceremony when we have a sister city delegation from the Gezer region of Israel coming for a visit,” Dunn said.
The Park Place development, 117th Street and Nall Avenue, plans to have a grand opening in the spring. After seven years of planning and construction, the first phase is ready for unveiling.
“When it’s finally completed it’s going to be dramatic,” Dunn said.
Dunn also said a piece of public art titled “Porch Lights” will be completed and dedicated in 2008. The art will be located on an infamous piece of land at Somerset Drive and Lee Boulevard, which is claimed to be owned by both Leawood and Prairie Village.
“It is symbolic of coming home to Leawood, although the people in Prairie Village would say coming home to Prairie Village,” Dunn said. “It’s a low stone wall with some colored glass cubes in it. It’s really quite an attractive piece.”