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Wellington, Kan. —
If the mystics are right, the world may end in 2012. But that hasn't stopped The City of Wellington from looking ahead, and planning projects to help improve the town in the new year.
It could be argued that in 2011, Wellington's traditional color scheme of red and silver was changed to construction yellow and orange.
"We had a very active year," said Wellington City Manager, Gus Collins. "We had a lot of projects and want to express our appreciation to our citizens, the general public, for their patience during the construction." Collins added that the City ended 2011 on the positive side.
"Every thing seemed to go well," he said. "Fiscally, we ended on an excellent note. We had no budget issues or cash bases issues." The last set of 365 days set the stage for the next 365.
The big project on Vandenburg Avenue, coming in at 2.6 million dollars, was green-lighted in 2011, and will be a top priority in 2012.
"Vandeburg is numero uno," Collins said. "We are hoping that will be under design to the State of Kansas in February...and being completed by the Fall, that's our objective." The City is responsible for 100 percent of the design cost. The rest is a split between the Kansas Deportment of Transportation who will pay 80 percent of the cost, with the City picking up the remaining 20.
"The other project that we'll have next year that's street related, and also a partnership with KDOT, is resurfacing the two-inch mill and overlay from Washington to Woodlawn," Collins said. The City was hopeful this project would be done in 2011, but timing just wasn't applicable.
Wellington sidewalks will also be getting a facelift in 2012, as the City is teaming up with Safe Routes to School. The aim is to improve or replace sidewalks at or around the community's elementary schools.
"Again, another partnership, another grant. We were the recipient of a quarter of a million dollars for construction of sidewalks," Collins explained. "That project design is underway, hopefully we will get that accomplished after school, in May." In 2012, the City will also continue to focus on the town's inner-workings.
"Each year, the governing body approves a certain amount of funds, as we've shared every year, what we've tried to embark on is trying to improve our aging infrastructure," Collins said. "And 2012 is no exception." This is another sizable project, as utility lines will be replaced on East Lincoln Ave., East of Woodlawn.
If the mystics are right, the world may end in 2012. But that hasn't stopped The City of Wellington from looking ahead, and planning projects to help improve the town in the new year.
It could be argued that in 2011, Wellington's traditional color scheme of red and silver was changed to construction yellow and orange.
"We had a very active year," said Wellington City Manager, Gus Collins. "We had a lot of projects and want to express our appreciation to our citizens, the general public, for their patience during the construction." Collins added that the City ended 2011 on the positive side.
"Every thing seemed to go well," he said. "Fiscally, we ended on an excellent note. We had no budget issues or cash bases issues." The last set of 365 days set the stage for the next 365.
The big project on Vandenburg Avenue, coming in at 2.6 million dollars, was green-lighted in 2011, and will be a top priority in 2012.
"Vandeburg is numero uno," Collins said. "We are hoping that will be under design to the State of Kansas in February...and being completed by the Fall, that's our objective." The City is responsible for 100 percent of the design cost. The rest is a split between the Kansas Deportment of Transportation who will pay 80 percent of the cost, with the City picking up the remaining 20.
"The other project that we'll have next year that's street related, and also a partnership with KDOT, is resurfacing the two-inch mill and overlay from Washington to Woodlawn," Collins said. The City was hopeful this project would be done in 2011, but timing just wasn't applicable.
Wellington sidewalks will also be getting a facelift in 2012, as the City is teaming up with Safe Routes to School. The aim is to improve or replace sidewalks at or around the community's elementary schools.
"Again, another partnership, another grant. We were the recipient of a quarter of a million dollars for construction of sidewalks," Collins explained. "That project design is underway, hopefully we will get that accomplished after school, in May." In 2012, the City will also continue to focus on the town's inner-workings.
"Each year, the governing body approves a certain amount of funds, as we've shared every year, what we've tried to embark on is trying to improve our aging infrastructure," Collins said. "And 2012 is no exception." This is another sizable project, as utility lines will be replaced on East Lincoln Ave., East of Woodlawn.
"It's an over $400,000 project," Collins added. "That will hopefully improve our water quality...that's under design as well, and it is anticipated to be done in 2012."
Collins said there is a lot to be excited about in the coming year. He was pleased to say there were no layoffs, and no decreases in salaries. And after the City Council voted to leave Sumner County Economic Development, The City of Wellington will be adding a new position in the new year.
"We are in the process of interviewing for the position of Wellington Economic Development/Grant Writer," Collins said. "That is included, and has been approved by the governing body for 2012." Another heavy-weight project involves the collaboration of three local, governing bodies- The City, Wellington USD 353, and Wellington Rec Commission.
"[The project is] A brand new, six tennis courts on ninth street," Collins said. "That will be done after the season in May. That's a huge project, around $300,000." Wellington, like a lot of towns in the Mid-West, was hit with one of the worst droughts in recent memory. Sumner County was put under a Drought Warning from the Governor, and Wellington Lake hit an all-time low.
The lake has made hefty gains after recent rainfall, and the City is confident the lake will be at, or close to normal levels once Spring showers come.
"We recovered significantly, almost two and a half feet," Collins said. "We were at a low of six feet, two weeks ago, then we received that two to two and a half inch rain. Now we're only down 3 and a half feet." Currently the lake is holding 40 inches below pool, and the record lows seen in 2011 shouldn't make for an even more tumultuous 2012.
There is plenty on the City's plate for 2012. In fact, for some projects are in the beginning phases, ear-marked for 2013, and beyond.
"It won't be in 2012, but certainly discussion will be centered around improvements at the airport," Collins noted. "We are thinking perhaps with the new developments with gaming in northern Sumner County, it might trigger some need. So we'll see if we can work with the Kansas Star regarding that." Airport improvements is on the agenda for the first City Council meeting of 2012, on Jan. 3.
For the latest in news, weather, and sports in 2012, stay with The Wellington Daily News.
