BY LUCIE KRISMAN
A new barbecue restaurant may soon be on its way to downtown Eudora.
During its Monday meeting, the City Commission heard from Jason and Jay Musick of the Musick Group, a company hoping to purchase and build a barbecue restaurant for $100,000 out of a previous public safety building at 840 Main St.
The building is owned by the city and being used for storage.
“Right now, because that property is a municipal building, it is not generating any sort of revenue for the city or any other taxing jurisdictions,” City Manager Barack Matite said. “It has always been the city's intent to turn that into its highest and best use.”
Jason Musick told the City Commission that his whole family is from Eudora, and he believes the local business would benefit the community.
"We want people to shop local," Musick said. "We want people to stay in Eudora. Not only do we win as an owner and operator, but so does the city and so do the constituents when people shop and stay in their community."
After discussing the building and conditions, such as off-street parking and a patio, the commission agreed to discuss plans for the restaurant again at a later meeting.
Mayor Tim Reazin said he was comfortable with the amount for purchase but wants more compromise on the plan for the exterior of the restaurant.
“I think the increase in job offerings it will have, just another spot for local kids to work, is a great thing,” he said.
City Commissioner Ruth Hughs voiced optimism for what the restaurant could do for the Eudora community and appeal of the town.
“We've talked for years, what is it that Eudora could have as a draw?” Hughs said. “I believe this could be that draw.”
The commission also heard from the Kansas Fiber Network about a new fiber optic network for internet services that would pass through Eudora.
The Kansas Fiber Network provides broadband internet access to large wireless providers. The network built through Eudora would spread between Lenexa and Lawrence, needing access to Eudora’s rights-of-way in order to build.
Matite said a franchise agreement for the network is in the works and will be presented at a later meeting.
The building process would happen fast, said Bob Wallentine, vice president of network development at the Kansas Fiber Network.
Cara Walker, vice president of sales, said in an interview that this change will not affect residential internet services. However, it will help businesses in Eudora, such as local banks, health care facilities and educational facilities.
“We could enable a wireless provider there to provide better service,” Walker said. “People who are looking for a data center or a network to back up their current network, they are looking for alternate providers and that's where our company comes in.”
In other business, among the approved consent items at the commission meeting was an amended animal sheltering service agreement with the Lawrence Humane Society.
This updated agreement would raise the fee the Lawrence Humane Society charges the city for sheltering each found dog from $40 to $200.
Currently, it is unlawful in Eudora for dogs to not be firmly attached to a leash or in an enclosed area within city limits. Found dogs in Eudora are sheltered at a temporary public works kennel for three days before being taken to the Lawrence Humane Society.
Police Chief Wes Lovett said the lack of an animal control officer in Eudora puts the police officers at a disadvantage when a dog found running at large takes an officer away from other potential emergencies or police matters and that they are lucky the public works department provides temporary shelter for the animals.
“We're real fortunate they do that for us," Lovett said in an interview. “We try our best to find the owner so they don't have to go down to the Lawrence Humane Society.”
According to the commission meeting packet, the city hasn’t had an increase in fees charged by the Lawrence Humane Society in years. Last year, the cost for the city to surrender nine dogs to the Humane Society was $360. The same number of dogs in 2020 would cost $1,800.
Reach reporter Lucie Krisman at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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