DesotoExplorer.com / De Soto to study sewer extensions

Archive for Wednesday, January 9, 2008

January 9, 2008

The city of De Soto will develop engineering concepts and cost estimates for extending sewer lines south of Kansas Highway 10 as part of an effort to promote economic development.

In approving the sewer studies Jan. 3, the De Soto City Council also approved City Administrator Pat Guilfoyle’s recommendation that the city partner with De Soto Economic Development Council to help with a number of possible initiatives the council agreed to explore.

Those possible economic development initiatives were identified in two special council workshops in November and December. They were:

• Search for and partner with developer for a retail center.

• Schedule a brain-storming session with area developers about possible partnerships.

• Extend sewer service south of K-10.

• Prepare the K-10 intersections of Lexington Avenue, Kill Creek Road and Edgerton Road for development (all considered as different projects).

• Create a new industrial park.

• Develop the 95th Street corridor for development.

• Downtown revitalization, including identification of businesses the district should attract.

The council also approved Guilfoyle’s suggestion the EDC be asked to help in scheduling a meeting with possible developers and in identifying one that would partner with the city.

Extending sewers south of K-10 and attracting a developer for retail center or industrial park are interrelated, Guilfoyle said. Having engineering concepts and cost estimates of sewer extensions in place would valuable as the EDC approached developers, he said.

Last year, City Engineer Mike Brungardt provided information to the council estimating it would take $600,000 to extend a sewer south of K-10 along Lexington Avenue to 95th Street from line in the Huhtamaki Americas property.

The city engineer also developed a cost estimate to extend sewers to the Edgerton Road intersection when the city submitted a proposal for a Major League Soccer complex. The estimated cost of the main, which would require two pump stations, was placed at $5 million.

Guilfoyle presented the council with the list of eight possible initiatives, dividing them as the five that got majority support on the council with three or more votes and three others receiving votes.

Council members, however, said all eight projects should be equally considered as the council moved forward.