Stakeholder Interviews
We believe that the best way to begin the comprehensive plan is to listen. To that
end, the PlanOlathe project team interviewed more than 120 individuals over three
days, on November 3-5, 2008. These interviews help define the issues and opportunities
that should be addressed in PlanOlathe, as well as how the team could effectively
involve the City’s many interests.
The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee – a citizen group representing the community’s
diverse constituents – helped to identify an initial list of key stakeholders, totaling
more than 200 individuals.
Parks and recreation interests
School interests
Social service interests
Transportation + street interests
Infrastructure, sewer + water interests
Safety interests
Environmental interests
Neighborhood interests
Zoning, UDO code issues
Business interests
Engineers
Architects
Housing interests
Commercial and residential real estate interest
Residents
Community groups + non-profits
Common themes heard over the three days revolved around Olathe’s strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats, such as:
Strengths: Great schools, highly educated workforce, low median home prices, high
median incomes, inclusiveness of diversity, exceptional trails system, great family
environment, friendly business environment, great working relationship with the
City staff and elected officials, active volunteer leadership, abundant land supply,
strategic position in the greater metro area, and strong high-tech and research
employment base.
Weaknesses: Downtown, lack of an articulated vision for the future, rapidly changing
market and demographic trends, transit, walkability, consistency in the development
review process, the Great Mall, and lack of a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Opportunities: Gardner Intermodal facility, downtown improvements (a new library,
recreation center, County offices, etc.), K-State Bioscience Facility, newly approved
Johnson Co Sales Tax Research Triangle, and redevelopment of the Great Mall.
Threats: Heavy railroad and truck traffic, strains on schools, competition for limited
resources, long-term fiscal health, rising construction costs (public + private),
regional and state competition, and commercial vacancy.
Can you help us develop the Comprehensive Plan? To share your thoughts about issues
and opportunities that should be addressed, contact
Thomas Morefield
Development Services Department
City of Olathe
100 E. Santa Fe, P.O. Box 768
Olathe, Kansas 66051-0768
913-971-8750