Media and Public Invited to Study Group Meeting
UPDATE (NOVEMBER 1ST):
In response to community feedback, the kick-off meeting for the citizens' study group has been rescheduled to November 6, 2024 at 5:30 PM. This meeting will be held at the Grain Valley Community Center and will be livestreamed via bit.ly/4f3Hxgp.
The original date was selected to coordinate with additional scheduled meetings over the coming months, allowing ample time between sessions to prepare and provide new information for the group to consider and provide feedback on. However, we have listened to the community's input and understand the importance of choosing an alternate date due to the election.
The citizens' study group is charged with evaluating the need for a new Community Center, outdoor aquatics center and City Hall. In addition, the group will contribute to the planning and design process for these facilities, following the model used for the recent Grain Valley Police Station Project.
While Study Group meetings are open for public observation, primary opportunities for input will be available through open-hour events and other formats currently being evaluated. We encourage the public to attend or view these meetings to stay informed on the progress and discussions shaping these essential community projects.
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The City of Grain Valley is once again turning to members of its community to help evaluate the need for a new City Hall, Community Center and outdoor aquatics center as well as inform the programming and design process for these facilities. A study group, consisting of seven residents, two from each of the city’s three wards and one at large member, has been formed to guide the city’s efforts. These volunteers represent the diverse composition of Grain Valley’s citizens and bring various backgrounds and perspectives to the planning for the project.
Grain Valley previously relied on a community study group in 2021, to assist the efforts that led to the beautiful new police station that is now serving the public safety needs of Grain Valley’s citizens.
The new study group will assist Hoefer Welker, a Kansas City-based architectural firm hired by the city in their planning process. Hoefer Welker has designed municipal buildings throughout the metropolitan Kansas City area, and other similar facilities throughout the United States. The study group will hold their first meeting at Grain Valley City Hall, on Tuesday, November 5, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The meeting is open for the news media and the general public to observe.
This meeting will also be available through a live stream and will be available to watch on recording at a later time. Live streaming of the meeting can be found here: bit.ly/4f3Hxgp.
In total, five formal meetings will be held by the study group over the next three months to learn about the public facility needs of the ever-growing Grain Valley community. The group will study design and construction features that should be considered in planning for city facilities including City Hall, Community Center and outdoor aquatic center. The study group will learn about the challenges presented by the current facilities, location options and be asked to evaluate similar facilities in the area to see what more current design features and construction material options are available to meet the current and future needs of the community.
At the end of the study process, this group will forward recommendations to the City of Grain Valley for hopeful adoption to inform a final design approach. A public open house meeting will be held to share the study group’s findings and recommendations prior to any final recommendation being submitted to the city. Additional ways for the public to become involved in the project are also being considered.
Mayor Mike Todd says, “We are fortunate to have citizens who are committed to the future of Grain Valley and willing to put the time and effort into helping us determine the best approach moving forward. As with the police station process, the study group helps set design priorities which address community needs and wants.”
All future study group meetings will be open to the news media and public for observation. In addition to the public open house slated for February 2025, there will be other opportunities for members of the community to be involved in design charrettes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Murphy (816) 847-6200
