RENEW THE BLUE REPORTS DEEDS TO COUNCIL

By Miranda Wycoff
The Journal Staff

Renew the Blue is continuing efforts to fi nd ways to improve Blue Springs. Last week Renew the Blue co-chairs made a presentation to the Blue Springs City Council on the progress they have
made over the past six months. The Renew the Blue group is made up of residents and business owners to identify what the city of Blue Springs should look like 10, 15 and 20 years from now.
Every six months the group presents their findings and progresses to the City Council.
“Renew the Blue co-chairs Jeannie Lauer and Dave Wright reported the great strides the Renew
the Blue group has made over the past six months particularly in the areas of education, economic development, quality of life, government and community planning,” said Blue Springs
Mayor, Steve Steiner in his weekly newsletter. According to city information, when the group began in May 2006 it identified five key performance areas including economic development,
education, government, planning and re-development and quality of life. In terms of economic
development, the group identified four areas to develop business technical and research parks, expanded educational choices and expanded healthcare availability. Accomplishments cited
with the business technical and research parks included identifying available land and the Blue Springs EconomicDevelopment Council has met with several potential developers regarding the
development of the parks. Within the realm of economic development for education, Renew the Blue reported to the Council that Graceland University is now offering classes in Blue Springs, William Woods University has visited the city and is considering opening a campus in Blue Springs and the R-4 School District has purchased the Metropolitan Community College Blue
River Campus. Renew the Blue also reported that it met with St. Mary’s Hospital and Children’s Mercy Hospitaland Robin Schluter, CEO of St. Mary’s, has agreed to join Renew the Blue to help
direct the group’s healthcare initiatives. In terms of education, the group identified three strategies, post-secondary education needs, early childhood development needs and educating the community on all the educational opportunities available. As for progress made in this area, Renew the Blue said they have brought together several existing groups within the community for
beginning talks concerning a performing/ visual arts center in Blue Springs. Future plans for education include building the performing/visual arts center and bringing early childhood
and adult educational opportunities to the area that reflect the needs and wants of people in the community. Goals and strategies for the government in Blue Springs included aligning the postal boundaries, improving the functioning of all city commissions, enhancing the flow of communication between the government and the citizens and educating the citizens of the financial issues and needs facing the city. In these areas, Renew the Blue spokespersons said they have gotten the zip code for the south M-7 area to utilize the city of Blue Springs
name, among others. The group’s representatives said they hope to have a proposal to the City Council concerning postal codes by summer 2008 and proposing a plan for developing
a Citizen’s Advisory Committee that will assist in informing citizens on how the Blue Springs government works and their financial issues, among others. As for planning and redevelopment,
Renew the Blue presented to the Council that they have developed a transportation proposal
which takes advantage of existing resources in the community. According to Renew the Blue information, the proposed plan will provide an alternative to the congested roadway system
in Blue Springs and other communities in Eastern Jackson County. Future plans for planning and re-development include contacting the Mid-America Regional Council to provide a service plan to meet various commuter needs, increasing the number of commuter bases and routes, creating
high-occupancy vehicle and car pool lanes and establishing a light rail and commuter routes to Johnson County work centers, among others. Finally, the group presented accomplishments in
enhancing the quality of life for Blue Springs residents. The group’s representatives said they have worked with six community groups to develop a land and water conservation grant application to build a disc golf course. In addition, they said they helped promote the need for
citizens to provide their input on the recent pool feasibility study. As for future plans to enhance the quality of life in Blue Springs, Renew the Blue representatives said they hope to meet with the Blue Springs Police Department and the Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department to assess the need of security in parks. For more information on Renew the Blue and its six-month presentation, visit its Web site at www.renewtheblue.com or the city’s Web site at www.bluespringsgov.com.