Leawood council affirms Tomahawk Creek Parkway funding, schedules construction and selects inspection consultant

Leawood officials confirmed the funding and schedule for the Tomahawk Creek Parkway reconstruction and approved staff’s selection of Kaw Valley for construction inspection services.

Public Works Chair David Lay told the council that $3.76 million in federal funds tied to the project have been obligated and that the state is holding those funds; he said Johnson County has committed about $4.4 million in separate county funding. “The funds have already been obligated. In my understanding, the state actually has our $3,760,000,” Lay said. “So once we start invoicing them, we will start receiving that funding back.”

The board heard that short-term creek work will begin first, including flood benching and stockpiling material to reuse for roadway construction. Lay said crews expect to start visible construction activity within about a week and that trail closures will be required while work in the creek progresses. Staff estimated the trail would likely be closed through April and said the overall project completion target is Dec. 5, with the roadway portion substantially complete by early–late November.

Council members pressed staff about the recent national headlines involving pauses of certain federal programs. Lay and staff said the Tomahawk-related federal funds had been paused and unpaused at the federal level but were currently unobligated to the city at the state level, and that the city is coordinating with the Mid-America Regional Council and their state representative.

The council unanimously approved the Public Works project update and later voted to accept the Public Works Committee’s recommendation to move forward with staff selection of Kaw Valley as the construction inspection consultant. Lay said staff will return with a proposed contract once scope and fees are negotiated.

Council members said they appreciated the proactive public outreach on the project: staff held public meetings, mailed postcards and letters to adjacent property owners, and posted signs and trail notices warning of closures and work schedules. Brian Scoville and project staff said they would continue status communication to residents and property owners as work proceeds.

Implementation details such as the consultant contract value and firm scope will be before the council for formal approval once negotiations are complete.