This project will completely reconstruct Ward Road from 58 Highway to 163rd Street, adding turn lanes at major intersections, as well as sidewalks and trails. Cost: $4.543 million

Status: In progress. See updates at www.raymore.com/wardroad

Status: Completed May 2024 

This project extends Johnston Drive to Outer Road/Harmon Drive. This final extension of Johnston Parkway will open needed connections to relieve congestion from 58 Highway, while still allowing residents to access their neighborhoods and Outer Road/Harmon Drive.Cost: $600,000. ($80,000 is already allocated for the project.) 

Status: In progress 

This project would construct a minor collector street from the current terminus to the extended Sunset Lane. Cost: $1.8 million

Status: In progress 

This project would construct a minor collector street from north of 58 Highway to 163rd Street. Cost: $3.95 million

Status: In progress 

This project would add missing street lights to the Silver Lake and Heritage Hills neighborhoods. Cost: $1.102 million 

City Hall Trails & Plaza, Cost: $400,000

Centerview Phase II, Cost: $1.2 million

The popularity of Municipal Circle is growing as a gathering space. If you have spent time at any one of the City's events, you may have noticed how popular the areas is for walkers and cyclists as well. These two projects would create important east-west trail connections from Sunset Lane to Johnston Parkway and will improve three of the stormwater basins to include more eco-friendly and native plantings. This will also create additional outdoor gathering amenities behind Centerview and City Hall that will include gardens and additional ADA walkways.

Status: Completed

This project would double the size of the Raymore Activity Center by adding an additional basketball court, classroom and yoga/workout studio to the existing building. Cost: $3 million

Status: In progress. Opening summer 2024.

This project would connect the north parking lot at Johnston Parkway to a new parking lot by the soccer fields at the Laurus Drive entrance. The road would include pull-in parking along the drive. The project would also add a loop trail around the soccer fields, small restroom for soccer families and trail users, and irrigation quick couplers. Cost: $500,000

Status: Completed.

G.O. Bonds are used to fund government projects that will serve the public community. G.O. Bonds are never spent on regular municipal operations.

The total amount of G.O. Bonds for all street and parks projects is $23,505,000.

Question 1 calls for $17,575,000 to be used for street improvements.

Question 2 calls for $5,930,000 to be used for park system improvements.

Property tax received by the City is divided into three different budgets: the General Fund, Parks & Recreation Fund and the Debt Service Fund.

The current property tax levy for the City is $1.2497 per $100 of assessed value, of which $0.7170 is for debt service. The Debt Service Fund is used to repay the bonds over time. 

This levy is separate from the tax levies of other jurisdictions such as the school district, library, hospital, fire department and others.

How we got to now:

October 2019- At the Oct. 7 City Council work session, City Manager Jim Feuerborn sought input from the Council on moving forward with a No-Tax Increase General Obligation Bond issue in 2020. Council directed staff to put together a list of potential projects of importance and need that could be funded by a GO Bond. 

November 2019- City Staff produced an initial project list to reflect information collected from residents, various community stakeholders, master plans, assessments and research studies.

December 2019- During a work session on Dec. 2, Council determined that it is necessary to borrow $23,505,000 for the purpose of acquiring rights-of-ways and constructing, extending and improving streets and roads, and acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating and equipping the park and recreation system within the City of Raymore.

May 2020- An ordinance calling for an election to be held on Aug, 4, 2020, on proposed bond issues was prepared.

June 2020- City Manager Jim Feuerborn recommends to Council the City move ahead with No Tax Increase Bond Issue for Aug. 4, 2020, elections, stating that we believe in the importance of these items for our community and for our residents. 

In 2016, Raymore voters overwhelmingly approved two measures that brought more than $10 million in improvements to Raymore streets and parks. 

Those projects include: 

Streets & Infrastructure

• 58 Highway Mill and Overlay (Fall 2016)
• Foxridge Drive Extension from Old Paint to Dean (Summer 2018)
• Johnston Drive Extension from Darrowby to Dean (Summer 2018)
• Kentucky Road Eastern Bypass Westgate Drive (Summer 2020)

Parks & Recreation

• Centerview event space and Parks & Recreation administrative offices (Summer 2017)
• Raymore Activity Center (Fall 2018)
• Recreation Park- trail rehabilitation and parking lot rehabilitation (Summer 2018)
• Hawk Ridge Park- fully accessible amenities added to make the park the first inclusive park in Missouri, including amphitheater, ADA fishing dock, jetty and bridge, paved walking trail, parking expansion, shelter house with family restrooms (Summer 2019)
• T.B. Hanna Station*- Playground, sprayground, permanent restrooms, ice rink.(Summer 2020)

*In fall 2018, a $135,000 grant from Variety Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City (Variety KC) made it possible to upgrade the planned standard playground and sprayground to be inclusive, meaning fully accessible. This, of course, meant that the original estimated completion of the new improvements would be postponed, as the project needed a complete redesign. The inclusive sprayground will be the first one in the state of Missouri.

Contact Communications Manager Melissa Harmer with any additional questions about the G.O. Bond Projects.

Call 816-892-3002 or email mharmer@raymore.com.