Committee advances $600,000 bill to develop master plan for Quindaro Ruins; landowner seeks explicit role

Senate Bill 290 would appropriate $600,000 from the state general fund to the Kansas State Historical Society to produce a scope statement, issue a request for proposals and develop a master plan for the Quindaro Ruins archaeological park in Wyandotte County, with no less than $250,000 required to produce the scope and RFP and the remainder available for implementing phase‑one renovations, reviser Jesse Pringle told the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Senator David Haley, who spoke in support of the bill, told the committee the state needs a neutral professional entity to lead a cohesive master plan for the site, which he said is historically significant to Wyandotte County. "I think probably everyone here knows what Quindaro is, what the history is, how meaningful it is," Haley said.

Reverend Stacy Evans, chairperson of the Western University Association of the AME Church and who identifies her organization as the major landowner, testified she came as neutral and said the landowner wants to be included in planning. "We are neutral; we're not against the Historic Society managing the funds. We just feel that as land owners... we should have some say about where the money is going, be a part of the master planning," Evans told the committee. She also described local work already under way: a National Historic Landmark application prepared by Rosen Preservation, a Vireo concept design funded by a Sunflower grant and a $150,000 Mellon grant secured through UMKC for signage and visitor materials intended to be in place for the 2026 World Cup.

Committee members raised several points: Senator Clay noted a $250,000 master‑plan appropriation had cleared the process last session but was line‑item vetoed by the governor; Senator Peay said the bill includes an RFP process to select a master‑planning firm that would gather input from stakeholders, including property owners; and Senator Holscher and others urged codified protections or acknowledgments for the landowner. Proponents said codifying ownership into statute is inadvisable because ownership can change and the RFP process is designed to bring all stakeholders together.

After debate, Senator Clay moved that the committee work SB 290 at this time, amend the bill to make it effective on publication in the register, and pass it as amended; Senator Rowan seconded. Senator Petty urged the committee to consider explicit statutory recognition of the landowner; the motion's maker said codifying ownership in statute could carry long‑term legal ramifications. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The bill’s language states legislative intent that additional funds may be provided in future fiscal years based on the master plan. Supporters said they hope the master plan will allow the site to be developed as a cohesive historical and visitor destination, including trail improvements and interpretive signage, and to position the site for increased tourism during major regional events.

Written testimony was received from Tyrone Gardner, mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, and Robert Gibson of the Health Forward Foundation; Reverend Evans submitted neutral testimony and Ty Edwards provided written historical material.

SB 290 cleared the committee with the amendment making the bill effective on publication; committee members said they expect the Historical Society to coordinate stakeholders and that local partners have already completed preliminary planning work.