Water plant poses chance for growth in Lecompton

Adam Helmerichs, of Diamond Cutting and Grinding of Summerfield, cuts across concrete March 12 on the Kansas River Bridge north of Lecompton. Douglas County commissioners recently approved financial incentives to encourage the contractor, A.M. Cohron & Son Inc., to finish the bridge work ahead of the Aug. 10 deadline.

Election results

Incumbent candidates in Lecompton’s April 3 election will continue leading the city.

Roy Paslay was re-elected mayor, with 62 votes, or 100 percent, cast for him.

Tim McNish and Mark Tunstall were re-elected to the City Council, each with 64 votes.

Voters rejected a special question on the ballot to add a 1 percent sales tax for city infrastructure maintenance. The measure was rejected 38 to 36 votes.

Lecompton leaders hope a new water plant will lead to more growth and development in this northwestern Douglas County town.

Earlier this year the town learned it would receive a $400,000 state Community Development Block Grant that will allow it to start building the water plant. The new plant also will provide a better quality of drinking water.

“The water isn’t dangerous; we’d just like it to be a little softer,” city Councilman Tim McNish said.

A well for what will be a $1.1 million plant already has been drilled. Mayor Roy Paslay said he’d like to see the plant finished in 2008. The city plans to finance $790,000 for the plant and pay it off over a 40-year-period.

The council also wants to see more houses built that will attract new residents. Developer John Chaney is planning to build some homes along Boone Street just west of Douglas County Road 1029, McNish said.

On the outskirts of Lecompton the county is overseeing the $2.5 million renovation of the Kansas River bridge on County Road 1029. The bridge links Douglas and Jefferson counties and is an important route between Lecompton and Perry. Both towns are in the same school district. The bridge is closed during the renovation, causing school buses and others who regularly use the bridge to take other, much longer routes.

This spring Douglas County commissioners approved financial incentives designed to encourage the contractor, A.M. Cohron & Son Inc., to finish the bridge work ahead of the Aug. 10 deadline. The firm will receive $10,000 for each day the job is completed early up to 15 days, or $150,000. County engineer Keith Browning thinks the renovations can be completed early.

“Everything is going pretty well,” Browning said of the bridge work.