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Supervisors choose smaller, lower-cost placement for Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson Plaza
Summary
After reviewing costed design options, the board favored a lower-cost alternate site adjacent to the building for the Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson Plaza and asked OPN Architects to proceed with design within that budget; estimated costs ranged from about $80,000 (alternate) to $290,000 (preferred scaled design).
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors directed OPN Architects to proceed with a reduced‑scope design sited at the southeast corner of the building for the Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson Plaza, a move intended to bring the project within available budget.
Zach Bridal of OPN Architects told the board the advisory committee reworked the preferred plaza concept to reduce the length of the commemorative wall, scale down the sculpture base and substitute less expensive benches and paving to bring the preferred scheme closer to a previously discussed $290,000 target. He also presented an alternate location at the building’s southeast corner with a preliminary estimate of about $80,000.
“We were able to bring back a smaller wall and really maintain the primary formal elements of the plaza into a project that is within that budget,” Zach Bridal said, describing adjustments such as reducing the granite base and changing paving material.
Supervisors discussed tradeoffs between prominence and cost. Some favored the preferred scheme for visibility and proximity to pathways, while a majority said the alternate site—less expensive and closer to the building—would be acceptable and could be moved later if the board allocated funds in the future.
A board member noted the October–November construction window would coincide with increased traffic for in‑person voting and drop‑box use, and asked staff to consider election schedules in construction timing.
Direction: The board instructed staff and the architect to proceed with the alternate placement and continue design within the reduced budget and to return final design documents and a bid package for approval.
Why it matters: The decision sets the likely cost and location of a public memorial plaza; it balances visibility, accessibility and fiscal constraints and inputs from the memorial advisory committee.
