Lenexa adopts $208.6M five‑year CIP after heated debate over Lone Elm interchange

The Lenexa City Council voted to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025–2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on Monday, approving a five‑year plan totaling $208.6 million and authorizing a separate resolution to transfer $8 million from general fund reserves to the capital improvement fund.

City Manager Becky Yoakam presented the CIP and said it covers 54 projects over five years, with the largest shares allocated to streets/bridges/traffic (61%, about $128 million), stormwater (16%, about $32 million) and facilities (13%, about $26 million). Yoakam said the top funding sources are general fund revenue (35%, about $72.7 million), a 3.08‑cent sales tax (20%, about $41.9 million) and general obligation bonds (13%, about $27.6 million).

The council first approved a resolution, presented by finance staff (Nate), to move $8 million from the general fund reserves into the CIP fund; staff said the transfer was supported by positive revenue results in 2023 and is consistent with the city reserve policy treating amounts over target as one‑time funds eligible for capital projects.

Much of council discussion centered on the Lone Elm interchange project (K‑10), which is included in the CIP with a city funding commitment of $11.4 million and is shown in the CIP year 2027. Neighbors and some council members raised safety and land‑use concerns, saying the preferred full‑interchange option shown in planning materials would route highway traffic into adjacent single‑family neighborhoods and be close to Manchester school. One councilmember moved to amend the motion on the floor to remove the interchange from the CIP and retain only an overpass option; staff advised that an amendment was not in order while the current motion had been made and seconded, and the amendment attempt did not proceed. Yoakam said that CIP approval only establishes funding in a given year and that detailed design and public engagement—conducted with KDOT—would follow, allowing alternatives and mitigation to be explored.

Proponents of keeping the project in the CIP argued the city’s long‑range planning and the potential to leverage KDOT funding make it prudent to maintain the interchange in the five‑year plan; opponents countered that neighborhood safety requires more study and that other location or overpass options should be prioritized. The council ultimately voted to adopt the CIP and the associated funding transfer after extended debate.

Councilmembers also noted that staff will continue dialogue with neighbors and KDOT; city staff said they planned to send a letter to KDOT summarizing neighborhood comments if the CIP was approved.

The council closed its final meeting of the year with routine reports and adjournment.