Council authorizes engineer survey and land-acquisition steps for I‑35/Santa Fe interchange reconstruction

The Olathe City Council on April 1 approved an ordinance authorizing an engineer survey and advancing land-acquisition steps for the I‑35 and Santa Fe interchange reconstruction and related Santa Fe corridor improvements (City Project 3-CD-025-18). The council's authorization allows staff to continue negotiations and, if necessary, commence condemnation proceedings to acquire parcels needed for the project.

Ron Shaver, city attorney, told the council that staff has made offers on identified parcels and settled a portion of them; 12 parcels remained in active negotiation at the time of the meeting. He said the city may bundle condemnation actions if necessary and will continue to negotiate with property owners where possible. "We anticipate closing on one here before the April," Shaver said, and noted the city would follow federal uniform relocation guidelines because the project has multiple funding sources.

Shaver described the statutory process under the Kansas Eminent Domain Procedure Act for condemnation actions if negotiations fail and noted that property owners receive relocation benefits and a reasonable period to vacate following acquisition. Nate Baldwin, city engineer, said the project design is roughly 60% complete and that the majority of remaining design work is structural (bridges and retaining walls) that should not expand total takings. Staff projected a target of mid‑2025 to complete total takings and begin utility relocations later in the year.

Councilmember Maher moved to approve the ordinance (recorded as Ordinance 25-09); the motion carried on roll call. Staff will continue negotiations, prepare acquisition paperwork and return to council as required by city procedures and applicable statutes.