City commissioners consider visitor's center

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Preliminary plans to build a visitor’s center by the turnpike interchange were presented to the Emporia City Commission at Wednesday’s study session.

Plans to construct a visitor’s center were put together as a result of committee meetings regarding Goal 8 of the Building Futures campaign — to increase tourism to the Emporia area.

In addition to planning for entrance signs for other areas of Emporia, the Goal 8 committee has been looking at the possibility of entering into an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation to use land by the two recently-constructed roundabouts for a visitor’s center in an effort to draw travelers into Emporia. The land is immediately to the east of the Kansas Turnpike Authority building near the toll booths.

The center would include walking paths punctuated by the Prairie Passage stones that currently sit at the corner of the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Further construction could include the addition of restrooms and an informational kiosk.

Betty Senn and Jamie Sauder appeared before the commission to explain the preliminary design plans.

“I would look at this as a park or an information point so that when visitors are here in our city stopping for gas or for snacks or for whatever, they see a nice monument,” Senn said. “It’s an identifier for the city and it’s very welcoming for people who are coming into the community.”

Both Senn and Sauder have talked to the fair board about moving the stones off the fairgrounds. Senn said the fair board has agreed to moving the stones should a visitor’s center become a reality.

“One of the things we’ve learned throughout this process is that there’s a lot of factors,” Sauder said. “... Everybody has a lot of good ideas, and I think they’re all good ideas, but what we’re trying to find is some kind of consensus for what the best idea’s going to be.”

Sauder said part of the motivation for the center comes with the location of the land at the most prominent of Emporia’s entrances.

“It’s a very focal point as far as where people enter into the community or exit from the community,” he said.

The Goal 8 committee also is worried that if the land is not used, it will not be well-maintained by KDOT.

“Our fear is that it would be maintained at a fairly minimal level of standards,” Sauder said, “and this piece of land, which is a pretty big piece of land, could become somewhat blighted and more or less an eyesore rather than something that we hope could be rather attractive. ...”

The commissioners in general were receptive to the idea; major concerns expressed were project costs and responsibility for maintenance and staffing of the site.

“I think it’s a great concept and a great use of that land,” Mayor Jeff Longbine said, and asked about signage to funnel visitors coming on Highway 50 from the east. “I think by the time they see it, they’re going to be most of the way through the roundabout or up on top of the flyway with no opportunity to turn around to come in. ...”

City engineer Mike Novak said the question of signage would be included in the lease agreement with KDOT.

“That would be included with some expectation, and let them respond accordingly,” Novak said. “This is the first shot over the bow, so to speak, so if you think you want it, ask for it and let them say no. As far as the way to negotiate with KDOT, ask for everything you might think you’ll want and at least it’s on the table and they can respond accordingly.”

Longbine also mentioned that KDOT will not allow commercial activity on the site.

“At this visitor’s center ... we cannot sell Emporia goods or allow Emporia merchants to sell their goods out of it,” Longbine said.

“That’s correct,” city manager Matt Zimmerman said. “The upside to using KDOT’s land is that it doesn’t cost us anything other than maintenance. The downside is we’re not allowed by KDOT rules to have any retail establishments. ...”

Longbine then asked who would maintain the site; Zimmerman said city crews could do that job at existing levels.

The next step for this project is for the city commission to authorize the application for the lease agreement with KDOT.

Commissioners also discussed a revision of an ordinance that, if passed, will permit the outdoor sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The ordinance sets the parameters for bars and restaurants that want to add beer gardens to allow customers to congregate outside.

“What we’ve got to do is we’ve got to make sure this is a workable plan that does not circumvent the smoking ordinance,” Longbine said.

Changes made to the original draft of the ordinance include adjusting a requirement that 25 percent of the walls had to be open to 20 percent including a ceiling. This will allow bar owners to have covered or uncovered areas for customers to gather.

Another concern brought up was that owners who wish to take advantage of the ordinance will have to pay a $100 permit fee; commissioners said that amount might be excessive when added to the other fees bar owners already have to pay.

Zimmerman said the fee will cover the cost of additional inspections. Longbine questioned whether that’s necessary since licensed establishments are inspected regularly anyway, and having a beer garden inspected would not take that much extra time.

In other business, commissioners discussed

F engineering proposals for a project to extend the runway at the municipal airport.

F amendments to the comprehensive plan to incorporate Emporia Main Street’s Community Initiated Development project.

F 2010 health insurance program for employees of the city.