Newton asks Harvey County to partner on East First Street design and phased widening near airport

Newton city officials asked the Harvey County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25 to partner on design and phased improvements to East First Street — the main roadway serving the Newton City-County Airport and a growing industrial area.

The request came from Rich Stinnett, Newton city mayor, and city staff who described recent commercial and industrial development east of Spencer Street and said added lanes, paved shoulders and turn lanes will be needed as traffic increases. Suzanne Loomis, a city presenter, said the city has started selection of an engineering consultant and asked the county to participate in the consultant review and to commit to budgeting county funds for design and a portion of construction.

The city emphasized why the project matters: First Street carries airport access, employee and truck traffic, new industry and planned housing developments. Loomis said getting a consultant engaged soon is important because preparing design plans will take six to 12 months. “We would like to start that process as soon as possible,” Loomis said, urging the county to agree to participate in the design phase and to later consider capital contributions toward at least a Phase 1 build.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said a coordinated city–county approach can reduce future costs, improve safety for motorists and bicyclists and preserve right of way for future widening. The corridor is part of a transcontinental bicycle route with narrow shoulders and, city officials said, increasing truck and employee traffic tied to airport and industrial growth.

Details presented - Scope: City officials asked that design cover the full First Street corridor from Spencer to Oliver but be built in phases (Phase 1: Spencer to Hillside; Phase 2: Hillside to Oliver). - Timeline: Engineering selection is underway; staff estimated design would take roughly 6–12 months. The city hopes to begin Phase 1 construction in the next year if design and funding proceed. - Earlier commitments: Loomis noted a prior agreement in which the city and county each contributed $125,000 toward a turn-lane/drive entrance project for a private development; the new request seeks a broader corridor plan. - Right of way and acquisition: Jim Meyer, Road and Bridge, and city staff said preliminary plans may require taking limited additional right of way in spots; the county and city would negotiate acquisitions and split costs on a case-by-case basis.

Commission reaction and next steps Commissioners voiced support for partnership but withheld an immediate financial commitment. One commissioner said any county share should be included in the 2026 budget process; another pressed for preliminary engineer estimates to inform budgeting. County Administrator Shannon said the county can participate in consultant selection and work with the city to get preliminary cost options to present during the 2026 budget cycle.

City officials agreed to include County Road and Bridge staff (Jim Meyer) in the consultant selection and to return to the commission with preliminary cost estimates and options for phasing and right‑of‑way acquisition. Commissioners asked staff to hold a future work session on roads and bridges to review the county’s multi‑year priorities as the First Street plans develop.

No formal vote was taken during the Feb. 25 meeting; the discussion ended with a direction to pursue design estimates and to consider budgeted contributions in 2026.

Ending: City and county staff agreed to continue collaboration on consultant selection and to return with preliminary figures for the commission’s budget discussions.