Family Future Forward Sales Tax

FAMILY FUTURE FORWARD with arrow and City of Andover Logo

Infographic

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FAQs

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Based on the results of the 2020 Census, the City of Andover is the fastest growing City over 10,000 residents in the entire State of Kansas.  The City of Andover has always prided itself on providing high levels of service for its citizens, specifically when it comes to public safety and quality of life.  In order to continue providing high levels of public safety and quality of life services for the City's current and future chapters, two vital objectives have been prioritized.  A second fire, rescue and emergency medical services station south of US 54/400 and improvements to the City's park and recreation system are major projects the City is looking to complete in order to ensure that the City of Andover continues to be the preeminent community in the Wichita metropolitan area.  The estimated cost of these projects is approximately $17 million.  In order to most equitably fund these projects through both residents and visitors alike, funding through a temporary 1% sales tax will be on the November 2, 2021 ballot for resident consideration.  The use of a sales tax relieves the burden of funding through property tax, which only Andover residents pay.  The temporary 1% sales tax would end no later than eight years.  Detailed information about the proposed projects are available below.  Click the thumbnail images on the left to view the Infographic and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents. Have a question not answered on the FAQ? Email it to cityhall@andoverks.com

The primary projects proposed to be funded include:
  1. The building and equipping of the new Fire Station #2 at the corner of Minneha Avenue and Andover Road (detailed below)
  2. The remodel of the existing Fire Station #1
  3. The design and construction of park amenities, including a splash park, on the Fire Station #2 site, which will be the first City park south of US 54/400
  4. The design and construction of a reimagined 13th Street Sports Park (detailed below)
Andover Fire Station #2

On November 28, 2017, the Andover Governing Body received the Comprehensive Analysis of Fire Services for the City completed by Citygate Associates, LLC .  This analysis recommended the construction of a second fire station in order to improve life-safety services within the City of Andover.

For reference, the current Fire Station #1 (1,500 SF) was constructed in 1994 when the population of Andover was approximately 5,000.  As of the 2020 Census, the City's current population is 14,892.  Andover Fire-Rescue responded to 261 calls for service in 1994, and the current annual average for service are 1,700.  Further, Fire Station #1 was not designed to house emergency personnel for 24 hours or any emergency medical service staff.  Currently, Andover Fire-Rescue is a 24-hour department and includes housing of ambulance services provided by Butler County, resulting in overnight staffing.  In 1994, the Department consisted of 7 apparatus, and the current fleet includes 13 apparatus.

Following the completion of the Comprehensive Analysis of Fire Services, Andover Fire-Rescue and multiple other City department staff evaluated multiple potential sites for the second fire station, ultimately completing the purchase of an approximately 3-acre site at the northeast corner of Minneha Avenue and Andover Road.

This new fire station will provide better response times to not only the south end of the City and eastern portion of Fire District #1, but to the entire City.  A substantial amount of the Department's response area will now be able to be reached within four minutes, which is critical once an emergency is reported.  Additionally, the new station will allow for all administrative services (Chiefs, Fire Prevention, Training, etc.) to be moved from the existing Fire Station #1 allowing more functional space and adequate living conditions for Andover firefighters.

In addition to the remodel of the current Fire Station #1, the construction of the new 12,000 square foot Fire Station #2, park amenities, including a splash park, will also be constructed on the site.

Estimated cost for all Andover Fire-Rescue projects proposed to be funded by the Family Future Forward Sales Tax total $6.75 million.

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13th Street Sports Park

On July 27, 2021, the Andover Governing Body approved the Andover Parks & Recreation Playbook 2030 completed by Landworks Studio.  This 10-year master plan assessed the City's existing park and recreational facilities/programs, analyzed community needs/wants, determined objectives and set forth a strategic plan forward in order to enhance the quality of life services the Andover Parks & Recreation Department provide.  Based on this analysis, and the community input received, specific attention was paid to the reimagining of the 13th Street Sports Park as an adventurous destination park, including many of the needs/wants that the community expressed a desire for during the master planning process.

13th Street Sports Park's conceptual redesign sought to ensure that the park provides something for everyone, adventurous play, year-round activity, makes the most of its natural setting, and arguably most important, stays true to Andover.  The project includes three phases:

Phase 1 includes 5 new ball diamonds, a new concession stand/restroom building, a new 240-space parking lot, a new playground with adjacent picnic shelter north of the parking lot, another shelter and restroom south of the parking lot, a new basketball court, two new sand volleyball courts, the conversion of large areas of turf grass to native grass meadow, and a new network of multi-modal trails that take advantage of the site's natural amenities and setting.

Phase 2 includes a large destination playground, destination splash park, adult fitness area, 8-court pickleball complex, a picnic shelter with restroom, a 100-space parking lot, and a large turf field referred to as the Great Lawn.

Phase 3 includes the conversion of more turf areas to native grass meadow, and the construction of a brand new 20,000 square foot Andover Community Center.  The existing Andover Community Center would be converted into a new maintenance shop and materials yard.

Estimated cost for the redesign and construction of the 13th Street Sports Park to be funded by the Family Future Forward Sales Tax totals $10.25 million.

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