The Leawood City Council has given its final approval for a master plan to develop a park and gathering space at the site of the city’s first fire station and city hall. The plan includes a gathering space in a revamped fire station, an ornamental garden, a walking trail, a playground, and a traffic signal to stop cars for pedestrians crossing Lee Boulevard.

Demolition of Historic City Hall

The plan does not include the former city hall, which will eventually be razed due to environmental and accessibility issues. The decision has upset supporters who wanted to preserve the building, with some proposing it be converted into a coffee shop or community space.

Despite a fierce campaign by supporters, including a petition drive with over 1,000 signatures, the council voted 7-0 in favor of the plan. Councilmember Matt Peppes was absent but expressed his support in a letter. The council assured residents that there are no immediate plans for demolition, and the master plan is a guiding document for future development.

Councilmembers acknowledged the emotional attachment some residents have to the old city hall but stated that they have looked for every possible way to satisfy the community’s requests. The future of the 1950s-era buildings has been a topic of discussion for years, with the city council deciding it would not be practical to save the city hall building.

Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.