In January 2019, the Lenexa City Council reviewed preliminary plans from a study that, once fully realized, would transform the block of Old Town occupied by the Community Center, Senior Center and Scouting Park.

Renovating the nearly 40-year-old Community Center could be an effective opportunity to reinvest in Old Town, improve accessibility and operations, and expand recreation programming — especially for a growing senior population. Revamping the Community Center/Senior Center site was identified as a top priority in the Parks Master Plan of 2012. The New Look at Old Town Study from 2015 recommended combining the two buildings and creating an outdoor gathering space for Old Town.

Using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the city hired SFS Architecture last fall to conduct a feasibility study to rehabilitate the Community Center/ Senior Center site. The consultants looked at how the current spaces are used, evaluated operational and accessibility challenges, and explored how to best address consolidation concerns while meeting community recreation needs.

The resulting design concepts create more spaces both inside and outside that can be used by people of all ages. At full buildout, the plan would serve residents for 20–25 years. Proposed changes include:

• Renovating the Community Center lobby, kitchen and restrooms, adding a flexible program room, and addressing accessibility issues.

• Moving the Senior Center into space on the east side of the Community Center, with expanded capacity, updated amenities, a new entry, and parking and accessibility improvements.

• Replacing the existing Senior Center building with a public plaza that features active green spaces and a food truck plaza.

• Reconfigured parking lot.

• Improvements to Scouting Park such as new shelters, trellises, landscaping and public art.

Members of the Governing Body commented favorably on the plan and said they looked forward to further studying and discussing these concepts.

The study recommendations break the project into three phases. Community Center improvements would happen first, followed by a consolidation with the Senior Center, and then the surrounding parking and green space alterations. The estimated cost to construct all phases at the same time is around $5.2 million.

This rehabilitation plan is on the city’s wish list to be considered as part of the Capital Improvement Program budget as early as 2020.

If the project secures funding, the preliminary concepts will be refined into detailed final designs. In the meantime, the city intends to use CDBG funds to make minor facility accessibility improvements this year.