Kansas committee hears plan to fund master plan for Quindaro Ruins; ownership, acreage and coordination remain disputed

A House committee opened a hearing on House Bill 23‑98 on Feb. 27 to provide $600,000 from the state general fund for planning and initial implementation work at the Quindaro Ruins Archaeological Park in Wyandotte County, Kansas.

Jennifer Light, fiscal analyst with the Kansas Legislative Research Department, told the committee the bill would require at least $250,000 of the appropriation “be used to issue a project scope statement, plan the necessary work to be accomplished, and issue an RFP for a master plan.” Light said the remainder of the $600,000 would be available to “implement phase 1 of the renovation plans for the park.” She also said the State Historical Society indicated it would use part of the appropriation to hire a 0.5 full‑time equivalent staff position to manage plan development and implementation. The bill’s effective date was stated as July 1, 2025.

Mayor Tyrone Garner of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, testified as a proponent and described Quindaro as “one of the only underground‑railroad locations you’ll find in our great nation” with significance to Black, Indigenous and abolitionist histories. Garner said the unified government owns roughly 40% of the roughly 200 acres he mentioned and said the master plan would help the community pursue federal landmark or national‑park status and support future fundraising and development.

Reverend Robert Stacy Evans, chairperson of the Western University Association of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, testified in a neutral position and said his organization — which he said owns about 95% of a 97‑acre historic district — already is carrying out professional planning and has received grants including from the Mellon and Sunflower foundations. Evans requested amending the bill so that it expressly acknowledges private ownership and ensures landowners are included in decisions about how state funds are used. She told the committee her group has completed two community meetings with a concept design firm and expects a preliminary report in June or July.

Representatives and other witnesses pressed witnesses about the size and ownership of the historic area. Mayor Garner gave a working estimate of about 200 acres when asked; Reverend Evans said the historic district with the foundations is about 97 acres and that most foundations and structures are on AME Church property. Lavert Murray, the mayor’s chief economic development advisor, told the committee some additional historic structures and related properties lie outside the 97‑acre area mentioned by Evans, and said the broader area discussed by other witnesses exceeds 200 acres.

Witnesses described on‑site features and prior work. Evans said archaeological work has identified 22 foundations; that a brewery remains stabilized on site; that an overlook and the Vernon Center are nearby; and that the site contains a cemetery and 15‑foot surviving walls of some structures. She said the Western University Association is planning signage with QR codes and expects to complete interpretive signage funded by a Mellon grant in time for the 2026 World Cup.

Several witnesses described ongoing coordination efforts. Evans said the AME group has worked with the National Park Service and local partners and said an earlier memorandum of understanding with the Unified Government was dissolved but that the parties are “attempting to work together.” Mayor Garner said the unified government is leading a task force and has discussed a bi‑state tourism district with Missouri partners. Representative Benjamin Penn, who sponsored the bill language, said the intent is to ensure the State Historical Society has “visibility” and management authority so the state can meet federal and Smithsonian standards needed for higher‑level designations and future funding.

Concerns raised to the committee included the bill’s failure, as written, to acknowledge private ownership and the desire from the AME Church group for explicit inclusion in decision‑making and funding allocation. Reverend Evans asked that the bill be amended to reflect that the land is privately owned and that the church’s planning work be recognized and integrated. Jennifer Light said the statutory language directs the State Historical Society to issue a scope statement but did not identify a prohibition on including outside voices in that process.

The hearing was closed for time and the committee moved on to other items. No formal vote or committee action on HB 23‑98 occurred during the session.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to gather additional details — including acreage and the State Historical Society’s five‑year capital plan — and witnesses said they would continue coordination with local and federal partners.