Official says new highway points to growth

Ottawa and Franklin County are in the right place at the right time.

As construction continues on a new, four-lane U.S. 59 that will stretch from Lawrence to Ottawa, local officials are looking optimistically to a future that includes growth in such areas as residential, commercial and industrial development.

“I think we’re witnessing some of the best growth opportunities and a higher level of change since I-35 was built,” Tom Weigand, president of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, said.

“The next five years will be some of the most exciting Ottawa has seen.”

No one can predict exactly how and where that growth will happen, but officials have some ideas.

Residential

He said residents of Douglas County might find this area’s less dense population and way of life more appealing.

And Ottawa residents and those who choose to move here will have an easier and safer route to Lawrence and its amenities.

“I think people can live here and still easily access education and jobs in Lawrence,” Weigand said.

Wynndee Lee, director of planning and codes for the city, said it’s important to get people to the area for jobs.

She said she hopes those who work in Ottawa and Franklin County but don’t live here eventually will decide to move here.

Commercial

“Naturally, we’ll grow more retail as we grow more people,” Weigand said.

He said representatives of such developments as a proposed travel plaza at K-68 and I-35 — that plans to have a gas station, restaurants, motels and other retail — and another truck stop south of I-35 and east of U.S. 59 have cited the new highway and planned intermodal facility at Gardner as reasons for bringing their developments to the area.

Lee said there’s ample room in and around Ottawa for commercial businesses to set up and develop.

“I think we’re pretty well set,” she said. “We have lots of commercial opportunities.”

Industrial

“I think it takes awhile,” she said, noting that companies want to know they have an available workforce.

Weigand agreed.

He said industrial development will come — if there’s available land and, most likely, large parcels of land.

He said typical requirements of companies looking at the area also include: a location within two miles of a four-lane highway, optional but preferred access to a railroad and access to city utilities.

Consequently, access to the new highway, I-35 and a proposed intermodal facility in Gardner will be key for industry in the area, Weigand said.

“We’ve really got some opportunities for growth,” he said.

Lee said through master plans and other preparations, the city is ready for growth. One weakness, however, is limited revenues, she said, which will prevent the city from being able to expand in more than one direction at once with infrastructure.

“Once we do pick a strategic direction, we have to stick with it,” she said. “I don’t know how we’re going to go in more than one direction.”

Preparing for growth

He said government leaders, as well as residents, support economic development, local jobs and local investments, and they need to continue to do so.

“If we continue to elect people who unite the community and who look to the future optimistically and progressively, we will continue to have success,” he said.

Weigand said the bottom line is that Ottawa and Franklin County are situated near a major railroad, highways I-35 and I-70, two metro areas, a state university — and an upcoming new U.S. 59.

“How are you going to beat that?” he said.