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25 January 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – One long-standing Derby business is refusing to sell to the City, but it could be bought by the government anyway through eminent domain to make way for improvements on the Kansas Highway 15.
The improvements are being made to help decrease crashes in the area.
The City of Derby said the area near Nelson Drive and K-15, north of Red Powell Drive, is known for its crashes.
The City has been able to strike deals with seven of 11 businesses in the area, but the city has filed for eminent domain.
It would allow the City to buy, in part or entirely, the remaining four properties even if their owners refuse to sell.
Richard Bordwell, director of Trader Motor Company, is one of those owners.
“We’ve had this 19 years, and you know, you put it on payments and try to get your property paid for so in the end that you’ve got something to show for what you’ve done,” Bordwell said.
Bordwell started Trader Motor Company 40 years ago with his father.
It’s a business he’s hoping to pass down to his son, who already works for him.
“Being able to rent and sell the business to him would be my retirement,” Bordwell said.
Now, his retirement plan is looking shaky as he faces the loss of a building he gutted and customized to fit his needs.
The City of Derby says intersections along the road he’s located on are dangerous and accident-prone.
“You essentially have like a six legged intersection that really is way beyond what we’d expect for the amount of traffic we have at that location,” said City of Derby Development Director Dan Squires.
According to him, implementing a roundabout and some stoplights will slow traffic and increase access to businesses.
Bordwell said at the end of the day, he just wants to continue his business exactly as it is.
“In the end, I wanna be like I was before they called,” Bordwell said.
According to Squires, Derby officials are still holding out hope that they’ll be able to strike a deal with the remaining four businesses without the use of eminent domain.
However, it is facing a deadline. The City needs to have the property ready by September to keep its access to nearly $7 million in federal money funding the project.