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The old strip mall torn down Wednesday morning near the Kickapoo and Independence intersection probably would’ve had to come down anyway as the city is taking early steps to widen Kickapoo Street in the area.
City Engineer John Krywicki said Wednesday that the strip mall’s owner tore the building down on his own, even though he thought at least a portion of the 1950s-era structure would’ve needed to come down to make way for the estimated $10.5 million widening project.
Krywicki said most of the building, to his knowledge, was vacant when the owner decided to demolish the property months ago. He said the owner is planning on building “something else” on the property in the future.
As for what other buildings or structures along Kickapoo will feel the wrath of the heavy machines in the coming months, Krywicki said he couldn’t elaborate due to protocol.
“We got a pretty good idea,” he said. “But right now, we’re having the properties appraised and we’re in the process of making offers to owners.”
The widening project is projected to cost around $10.5 million. The state and federal government have pledged about $5 million and the city of Shawnee has $3 million reserved for the project, which leaves around $2.5 million yet to be secured.
The widening project will run along Kickapoo Street from the Kickapoo Spur intersection to the MacArthur intersection.
Krywicki told the News-Star in April that the project will be done in two stages and will take around two years to complete, depending on the weather.
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Andrew Knittle may be reached at 214-3926.
The old strip mall torn down Wednesday morning near the Kickapoo and Independence intersection probably would’ve had to come down anyway as the city is taking early steps to widen Kickapoo Street in the area.
City Engineer John Krywicki said Wednesday that the strip mall’s owner tore the building down on his own, even though he thought at least a portion of the 1950s-era structure would’ve needed to come down to make way for the estimated $10.5 million widening project.
Krywicki said most of the building, to his knowledge, was vacant when the owner decided to demolish the property months ago. He said the owner is planning on building “something else” on the property in the future.
As for what other buildings or structures along Kickapoo will feel the wrath of the heavy machines in the coming months, Krywicki said he couldn’t elaborate due to protocol.
“We got a pretty good idea,” he said. “But right now, we’re having the properties appraised and we’re in the process of making offers to owners.”
The widening project is projected to cost around $10.5 million. The state and federal government have pledged about $5 million and the city of Shawnee has $3 million reserved for the project, which leaves around $2.5 million yet to be secured.
The widening project will run along Kickapoo Street from the Kickapoo Spur intersection to the MacArthur intersection.
Krywicki told the News-Star in April that the project will be done in two stages and will take around two years to complete, depending on the weather.
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Andrew Knittle may be reached at 214-3926.
