In addition to Mayor Sharon Powell’s update on Excelsior Springs, city leaders from the six other Clay County communities shared economic development updates during the annual State of the Cities Luncheon on July 14. Gladstone’s mayor reported that a new police headquarters will break ground this year. The center will include a joint dispatch center to be shared by Gladstone, Liberty and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The North Kansas City School District is investing $24 million to purchase a former shopping center in Gladstone to convert into the district’s early education center. Several Kansas City council members cited completion of major parkways, new subdivisions and commercial developments within the city. Multiyear public project improvements link strategic Northland roadways, replacing narrow twolane roads with wide thoroughfares with sidewalks and bike lanes, they announced. Kearney’s mayor reported the start of a second interch...