Old Town Lenexa, the city's original town site, is a unique and important part of Lenexa's past and future.

The Lenexa City Council approved in July 2016 the "A New Look at Old Town" final plan. Work began on this action plan in 2015, designed to highlight redevelopment opportunities for this district of historic businesses, homes and churches near the intersection of Santa Fe Trail Drive and Pflumm Road.

The plan's final recommendations are designed for the city, property owners and business owners and separated into short-term (less than five years) and long-term (more than five years) goals. Two years later, many of the report's key recommendations have already seen encouraging progress.

Install signage at key gateway locations to guide people to Old Town.

Lenexa has obtained federal funds to make improvements to the intersection of Santa Fe Trail Drive and 95th Street. As part of this project, we intend to include a gateway monument sign for Old Town. Lenexa staff are also working to identify opportunities and funding to extend a trail from 95th Street through Old Town along Santa Fe Trail Drive.

Create flexible park space at current Senior Center location.

City staff are in the process of selecting a firm to analyze and identify opportunities for reuse of the Community Center, Senior Center and adjacent property.

Establish a merchants' and property owners' organization to serve as an organization and marketing tool.

City staff prepared a significant amount of research into the establishment of merchants associations, which was provided to Old Town representatives as a resource for them when they decide to move forward.

Explore the establishment of a quiet zone with the BNSF Railway.

With two railroad crossings at Pflumm Road and Noland Road, reducing the deafening sound of trains crossing through Old Town was a critical piece of this plan.

Installing a $2 million quiet zone presented numerous challenges given the location of the rail line and intersections. So, staff researched a new option: wayside horns. These stationary horns are mounted at railroad  crossings that warn motorists by projecting sound down the roadway instead of the track, eliminating noise  pollution in neighborhoods.

In early May, residents, business owners and the City Council were invited to attend a test of the wayside horn system. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the City Council approved $350,000 to install the wayside horns. Staff is now working with BNSF Railway to implement the horn system. Similar projects in other communities have taken a year or more to implement.

Establish citywide approach for bicycle, pedestrian and transit accommodations.

City staff recently contracted with Olsson Associates to develop a Complete Streets plan. Watch Lenexa.com for opportunities to participate in this community-driven process, including online surveys and public meetings.