Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Westwood City Council to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Westwood residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Joe D. Dennis Park: Voters earlier this year rejected a plan to sell Joe D. Dennis Park to make way for a larger development that included office and retail buildings along Rainbow Boulevard and a new, bigger public park on the site of the old Westwood View Elementary. Readers want to know where you stood on this much-discussed plan. Did you support selling Dennis Park to make way for the Karbank project? What do you want to see done with that area now that voters have rejected that plan?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
At-Large
Stephanie Becker
The community has made its decision on the Karbank proposal, and I believe it’s time for Westwood to move forward together. The discussion around Joe D. Dennis Park brought out strong feelings on all sides, and I respect the outcome of that vote. It showed how deeply residents care about this community and its future.
When I looked at the Karbank proposal, I felt the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. It offered the potential for expanded green space, improved infrastructure, and increased tax revenue to support future city needs. That said, every development proposal is different, and I don’t think one vote should define how a council member approaches future projects.
Now that the contract for the old school property has been transferred to Hunt Midwest, Westwood has limited control over that site. For Joe D. Dennis Park and the adjacent green space, I’d like to see us explore ways to update and make the area more usable for everyone. But that needs to be done responsibly and before the city makes any long-term commitments about the space. We need a clear, realistic plan that defines financial requirements, funding sources, and how the work will be carried out before decisions like rezoning are made.
My goal is to help guide those discussions thoughtfully, with transparency and a focus on what best serves our community moving forward.
Spencer Day
I was certainly in support of the proposal because of the tradeoff that Westwood Residents would get a new larger park developed without taxpayer expense. It would have been wonderful for our many families and children. I still want a better space in Westwood for families, so I believe we must pivot to find a solution to fix the issues with Joe Dennis Park and then possibly expand it. I believe we must have patience and carefully make a plan for improvements and expansion. We should wait to see that the proposal for the old school site is progressing and capture the tax money from that project to reinvest into the park and in the meantime we can raise some private funds with a Buy a Brick Campaign and search for Grants that may help offset costs. Without proper planning, Westwood families will not get the space they deserve.
Jeff Harris (incumbent)
Yes I supported selling Dennis Park to make way for the Karbank project to put commercial property on Rainbow Boulevard as the Comprehensive Land Use Plan directs, and to secure a larger, better, safer, quieter and funded city park.
Regarding the former Westwood View Elementary site, the city issued an RFP over the summer. A committee reviewed six submissions, interviewed four, and advanced a recommendation that one, Hunt Midwest, be considered. In August the city assigned its purchase rights to HMW and essentially ended any immediate control over the project. While that project will not deliver the higher amount of tax revenue the Karbank project would have, I support it and voted in favor of it. HMW demonstrated a strong capability to execute and to work with the public to refine their plans.
Regarding Dennis Park at 5000 Rainbow Boulevard, there are longstanding maintenance items that do not have full funding. The city has identified some limited funding in future budgets, will likely use new tax revenue from the Hunt Midwest project and will likely implement a TIF agreement on the project to address the items long term.
Regarding the 5050 Rainbow Boulevard property, there is a suggestion that it be dedicated as a park immediately. I am not in favor of that right now; I think it wise to wait until the HMW project advances to construction, and easements or other land use matters are resolved. The property is likely to be part of a future larger park.
Greg Hirleman
I am discouraged by the divisive impact the Karbank project had on our community. That divisiveness seems to be carrying over to this election as evidenced by the campaign sign distribution, which is a shame. Having a great park is important to me personally. However, this ultimately becomes a Westwood priorities issue. I would not choose a large fancy park over reducing taxes to previous levels and/or reducing the deferred infrastructure repairs and maintenance amount. I would endeavor to be a voice of reason after considering carefully all sides to any proposal regarding the park or any development. It would be awesome to creatively achieve all 3.
James Spies
From the moment I began my campaign, I have emphasized my priority of preserving green space in Westwood, which means Joe D. Dennis Park and the adjacent old church lot, which many refer to as the dog park. That open field is not an official park, so I want to legally combine it with Joe D. Dennis Park so that it is protected in the future. Additionally, I want to raise private funds to improve the entire park area. What a future park may look like remains to be seen, as I have heard from many residents that they would like to see a dedicated, enclosed dog park area for their dogs to run off leash.
Jennifer Westlake
Location was one of the three reasons I voted no. I’m not against development, but it should occur where commercial activity already exists. I couldn’t reconcile four-story buildings and a parking garage placed in the middle of a residential area, especially when it meant giving up Joe D. Dennis Park — a true community treasure.
My second concern was safety. Many children cross Rainbow daily to reach Westwood View and nearby schools. While a city traffic study was conducted, its results didn’t align with what I regularly observed during peak commute hours.
My third reason involved financing. If TIF proceeds didn’t meet bond obligations, residents could have been left responsible for the remaining debt and interest.
Now that the city rejected that plan and a new project has emerged, the demolition of the old Westwood View allows Hunt Midwest to develop the property. They’ll provide the city with a $285,000 assignment fee, which could help pay off debt tied to the 5050 Rainbow property.
I would love to see this land dedicated as part of Joe D. Dennis Park, featuring an inclusive playground from Variety KC. Their renderings show a space designed for EVERY child. By combining private funds, family foundation support, and potential federal grants like those used in Roeland Park’s Nall Park, we could create a vibrant green space for endless possibilities — protecting what truly makes Westwood special.
