Proposed Community Center Discussion

BCPD to Move Into New Building This Week

We'll be moving to our new headquarters the end of this week, October 15th and 16th. For that reason, we'll be closed to all administrative functions including VIN inspections Thursday and Friday, October 15 and 16. As always, officers will remain on duty...

Chip and Seal to Begin Thursday, October 8

Chip and seal will take place Thursday, Friday, and Monday - October 8, 9, and 12. The contractor will begin in Firetree and move into Signal Ridge. Please see the example below of the door hangers placed at affected homes for more details. Working hours ...

Safe Routes to School plans developed for final approval

Even if your kids don’t currently walk or bike to school, weigh in on our draft plans to make walking and biking to school in Lawrence, Eudora, and Baldwin City more comfortable. After temporarily pausing the Safe Routes to School planning proce...

Power Outage

City hall phones are down due to a possible blown transformer. City crews are en route and we’ll update you when we have more information.

USD 348 Seeks Substitute Teachers

City Seeking Website Redesign Proposals

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING REZONE PETITION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN AND TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 13, 2020, the Baldwin City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at the Public Library meeting room, 800 7th Street, Baldwin City,...

Citywide Cleanup

Citywide Cleanup is taking place on October 10, 2020, rain or shine.

BALDWIN CITY RESIDENTS ONLY

Proof of residency is required (i.e. utility bill or ID/Driver License).

1015 Orange Street is the Public Works Building/Wastewater Treatment Plant/Power Plant

Wh...

City Council Meeting, 9.15.2020

Sidewalk Projects Update

The Eastside and Elm Street sidewalk projects are coming along. Much of the concrete is already poured, and the hard surfaces should be finished within the next couple of weeks. Enjoy these drone photos from August 27th, courtesy of Pitts Photography, and...

Flag Contest Results

Historic Bauer Community Building Project

Note: This project overview was provided by the Historic Bauer Building Advisory Group.

Click on images throughout this post to view the entire pdf plan document, or click here.

A brief timeline of the project

•  In 2019, the City ...

What about solar?

What about Solar?    

Chris Croucher, Director of Electric Distribution has received a number of calls about solar panels lately. 

Here’s a brief overview of how residential and commercial solar works in Baldwin City. Pl...

Results: 1st Community Center Survey

There were 281 responses total, with over 200 long form responses.

As always, thank you for caring so much about your community.

What are your thoughts about the idea of a community center?

Note: These responses were pasted exactly as submitted. They have no...

Community Center Survey Number 2

Are you interested in having a community center in Baldwin City? The second of two surveys is live here.

Please fill out as much or as little as you like. This survey will close at 12:00 am on August 24th.

There will be a Council Work Session on this topic ...

East Sewer Interceptor Project Overview

What: This is a large project intended to upgrade the main sewer pipes on the eastside of town to current standards in order to improve long term waste water management.

When: Prep work has begun on the project, and you will see more activity beginning aro...

Community Center Survey Number 1

Are you interested in having a community center in Baldwin City? Take a moment to share your thoughts with us here.

Please fill out as much or as little as you like. This survey will close at 12:00 am on August 18th and a second survey will open based on t...

The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 15

New Beacon available now. 

In this issue:

• Project updates
• Recap of survey results & flag design contest
• Women’s suffrage events, a mural bench unveiling, and a movie night with strong female leads

Read on...

Top 2 Flag Designs

Congratulations to the top two flag design winners!

Designs by Ashley Kretzschmer and Laura Hartman came out ahead in the popular vote. Thank you to each and every one who submitted designs and cast a vote, whether online or by paper ballot. We had over 40...

Music Survey Results

Thank you for participating and giving feedback. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us.

Based on the results of the survey, it was stated at council meeting August 4, 2020 (around 49:00) the music hours will be modified as follows:

Monday-Thursday...

VOTE for a Baldwin City Flag!

CDBG-CV Application

Emergency Community Development Block Grant

Download the Application Packet Here.

Questions? Call Laura Hartman, City Clerk, at 785-594-6427 or email lhartman@baldwincity.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are companies with more than 50 employees eligible for C...

The Baldwin Beacon: Vol. 14

New Baldwin Beacon available.

Topics range from Hakuna Matata, to flag designs, to Mystery Mike and a downtown music survey. Go read it now!

Read now

About Pioneer Cemetery

A grant was recently secured to restore the tombstones out at Pioneer Cemetery. If you haven’t been out there recently, you should go. It’s a remarkably peaceful and quiet place to eat lunch, chase butterflies, or stalk wildlife. We me...

Elm Street Project FAQ

Talking Sesquicentennial on Timeline Radio

Listen to Timeline Radio’s recorded episode from June 22, 2020, with Clenece Hills hosting Mayor Casey Simoneau and Councilman Brian Cramer. Topics discussed include:

• Lucy Sullivan Sweet
• Sesquicentennial celebration
• Sullivan Square
• Mural Benches in ...

Fireworks are cancelled.

After much debate between the City, the BGA, the Recreation Commission as well as the fireworks provider, it is with much disappointment that tonight’s scheduled firework show is cancelled due to the heavy rainfall from this afternoon. ...

Storms and Power Outages

Storm season is here, and the Baldwin City Electric Crew has a few tips to help keep you safe.

• If you see a downed line, please do not touch or drive over them. Please contact your utility provider immediately - this could cost you your life.
• If there is a ...

Baldwin City Sidewalk Projects 2020

Elm Street

Timeline: Summer/Fall 2020

Funding: Primarily through KDOT Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant. Funding for this project was announced in December, 2018.

Project: 6-foot wide new sidewalk, ADA accessibility, decorative lighting and benches from...

The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 13

Baldwin Beacon Volume 13 is live now, with information about:

• Fireworks
• The Flag Contest
• USD 348 Fall Planning
• Block Grants for businesses affected by Covid-
• Swimming Pool programming
• Census 2020

...and of course, our #FunFriday150

Happy weekend, Baldwin City!

Read on...

Arbor Day Activities

Arbor Day in usually in April, but this year the Baldwin City Tree Board rescheduled the day to June 20th. About 110 trees were given out at the Annual Tree Give-away.

At 11:30am, the Tree Board planted three little-leaf lindens in the city right-of-way in...

The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 12

New Baldwin Beacon out now! In this issue:

• What to know about upcoming city meetings & event
• Door-to-Door sales rules & what you should know
• Video interviews with the Library Director and Recreation Commission Director
• #FunFriday150
• Commemorative Sesqu...

The City's Story

Our side

In February of 2020, Midland approached the City unhappy with the arrangement they had with Santa Fe Trail Historical Society: 35 cents/ticket sold, capped at $9,000/year. They approached the city asking to purchase the depot from the city. The st...

Door-to-Door Sales

Summertime means door-to-door sales people.

Here’s what you need to know about how the city handles requests to sell in town.

• Anyone going door to door or selling from the street or their vehicle must apply for a license through the City Clerk.&am...

The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 11

The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 11, out now at a newsstand near you! 

(Kidding. It’s online, you don’t even have to go buy it.)

In this issue:*Phase 3 starts Monday, June 8th.*Council Meeting recap.*$132,000 grant to be distributed to ...

Eastside Sidewalk Improvement Project Community Discussion

Monday, June 8th, City Council will host a question and answer informational discussion at the American Legion Hall about the Eastside sidewalk improvement project. The project engineer will be on hand and community members are invited to bring their ques...

2020 Pavement Maintenance Project

The 2020 Pavement Maintenance Project includes sealing road surfaces, something new for Baldwin City.

UPDATE: Council approved this proposal on June 16th, 2020 as is, without alternates.

Here’s what that means.

Due to significant cost savings, Bald...

Playgrounds Are Open - Use at Your Own Risk

Caution tape and hazard fencing surrounding Baldwin City playgrounds has been removed as of June 1st.

Use at your own risk. Please observe all current social distancing recommendations and review CDC guidelines for playground usage.

Read on...

Municipal Court Notice

MUNICIPAL COURT NOTICE: If you are scheduled to appear in Baldwin City Municipal Court on Thursday, June 4 at 9 am, Court will be proceeding as scheduled. If you are not comfortable with appearing in person due to COVID-19, please contact City Hall and sp...

Baldwin Beacon Vol. 10

New Baldwin Beacon out now!

In this edition:

• Interview with Matt McClure from Baldwin City Recreation Commission about the pool, summer activities, and events.
• Q & A with Mayor Casey.
• Digitized Centennial Special Edition newspaper from 1970, with loads of...

2020 Pool Information

2020 Pool Information

The Baldwin City Recreation Commission is pleased to share information on the upcoming 2020 pool season.  While there are many moving pieces and contingencies, we feel we are providing safe, responsible solutions to many ques...

Citywide Cleanup

Citywide Cleanup IS taking placeJUNE 13, 2020, rain or shine.BALDWIN CITY RESIDENTS ONLYProof of residency is required (i.e. utility bill or ID/Driver License)1015 Orange Street is the Public Works Building/Wastewater Treatment Plant/Power PlantWhat we&am...

The Story Begins

Imagine that the walls around us dissolve. All the bricks and lumber fall away. The buildings outside melt and disappear. There are no streets, no cars, no campus. 

A breeze ruffles your hair. Above you is sky, blue with fat white clouds. All arou...

BCPD to Resume In-Person Services with Limitations

As we move into Phase 1.5 of reopening Kansas, the Baldwin City Police Department will be reopening the lobby on Monday, May 18th. 

VIN inspections and fingerprinting services will resume.

Some important restrictions to be aware of:

• Only one person ...

City Hall, BCPD, and Public Works to Reopen Lobby Spaces with Limitations

Moving into Phase 1.5 of reopening Kansas, City Hall, Baldwin City Police Department, and Public Works will reopen with limited capacity.

For more information about the Police Department reopening, VIN’s, and Fingerprinting Services: www.baldwinc...

Governor Kelly Announces $9 Million in CDBG Funds for Community Response

ATTENTION SMALL BUSINESSES

UPDATE, 6-24-2020: YOU MAY APPLY NOW. INSTRUCTIONS HERE.

$9 million in federal funding will be made available to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program to support community responses to the COVID-19 crisis...

The Baldwin Beacon, Special Edition: Waiting

Waiting. Governor Laura Kelly’s press briefing is at 6:30pm today, and we’ll have a better idea what the next few weeks will look like after that. In the meantime, here’s what we know will continue around town for now.

Read it

FAQs About Utility Deferment Program

Q: Who is this deferment program for?

A: Anyone who needs it, either residential or business. If you are struggling financially, we want to offer you options at this time.

Q: Is there a fee or cost for deferring my utilities?

A: No. There is no interest char...

Sign up for The Baldwin Beacon

Read on...

Business Resource Survey

Business owners, please add your information to this form https://bit.ly/covidbiz created by the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber and City are working together to form a central online hub for local resources. If there’s one thing t...

Utility Disconnects Suspended

For more information on the executive orders from the Governor’s Office regarding public safety and suspension of utility disconnects, click here.

BALDWIN CITY CANCELLATIONS AND SUSPENSIONS DUE TO COVID-19

Click here to access Baldwin City Municipal Government’s updated page with local COVID-19 resources, and updated closure information.

KDOT AWARDS BALDWIN CITY A TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES GRANT OF $1.1 MILLION FOR TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has awarded Baldwin City with a Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant of $1,012,960 to construct a ten-foot wide concrete shared-use path including amenities within Midland Railway’s property. ...

Trash Talk

We know 6:30am is very early, and we’ve heard a lot of concerns about the new Ottawa Sanitation requirement for trash and recycling.  We’ve been fielding a lot of questions at City Hall. 

Here’s an honest and...

BCFD News Release

NEWS RELEASE

[Click here for video]

Baldwin City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire alert at 3:15 a.m. on December 27th, 2019. The incident was located at the Collins Gym, on the corner of 6th & Elm on Baker University(Official) campus. An HV...

BCPD to Move Into New Building This Week

We'll be moving to our new headquarters the end of this week, October 15th and 16th. For that reason, we'll be closed to all administrative functions including VIN inspections Thursday and Friday, October 15 and 16. As always, officers w...

BCPD Closed for Deep Cleaning July 24th

UPDATE 7.28.2020: Both officers who were exposed to Covid last week have received negative test results. They will remain in quarantine until two weeks from their exposure date as an extra safe guard. Our office opened yesterday after a weekend of extensi...

Where we stand

On Monday, June 8th, 2020, county law enforcement partners met with Douglas County District Attorney’s Office - Kansas to discuss our current policies. Here’s where Baldwin City Police Department stands on each of the items highlighted...

BCPD to Resume In-Person Services with Limitations

As we move into Phase 1.5 of reopening Kansas, the Baldwin City Police Department will be reopening the lobby on Monday, May 18th. 

VIN inspections and fingerprinting services will resume.

Some important restrictions to be aware of:

• Only one person ...

East Sewer Interceptor Project Overview

What: This is a large project intended to upgrade the main sewer pipes on the eastside of town to current standards in order to improve long term waste water management.

When: Prep work has begun on the project, and you will see more activity beginning aro...

UPDATE: East Sewer Interceptor Project

Wednesday, July 29th, a contractor will be cleaning and obtaining CCTV footage of the sewer line on the part of Santa Fe drive shown on the map. They will set up at each of the three manholes marked - essentially from the corner of Santa Fe and 1st Street...

2020 Pavement Maintenance Project

The 2020 Pavement Maintenance Project includes sealing road surfaces, something new for Baldwin City.

Here’s what that means.

Due to significant cost savings, Baldwin City Public Works director Rob Culley is proposing the city use "chip and s...

Playgrounds Are Open - Use at Your Own Risk

Caution tape and hazard fencing surrounding Baldwin City playgrounds has been removed as of June 1st.

Use at your own risk. Please observe all current social distancing recommendations and review CDC guidelines for playground usage.

Read on...

Citywide Cleanup

Citywide Cleanup IS taking placeJUNE 13, 2020, rain or shine.BALDWIN CITY RESIDENTS ONLYProof of residency is required (i.e. utility bill or ID/Driver License)1015 Orange Street is the Public Works Building/Wastewater Treatment Plant/Power PlantWhat we&am...

Electric Equipment Work in Fire Tree Development

The City of Baldwin City Line Crew will be in the Fire Tree Development addressing the settling issues with the Transformers, Secondary Pedestals, and Primary Cabinets. Crews will be digging around the electrical equipment and adjusting them back to level...

Arbor Day Activities

Arbor Day in usually in April, but this year the Baldwin City Tree Board rescheduled the day to June 20th. About 110 trees were given out at the Annual Tree Give-away.

At 11:30am, the Tree Board planted three little-leaf lindens in the city right-of-way in...

Talking Sesquicentennial on Timeline Radio

Listen to Timeline Radio’s recorded episode from June 22, 2020, with Clenece Hills hosting Mayor Casey Simoneau and Councilman Brian Cramer. Topics discussed include:

• Lucy Sullivan Sweet
• Sesquicentennial celebration
• Sullivan Square
• Mural Benches in ...

The Early Days - an interview

An interview with Roger Boyd of the Santa Fe Historical Society.

Topics include: 

• How the Santa Fe Trail brought people to the area of Baldwin City
• A brief introduction to the founding of Baker University
• The railroad comes to town - but which town?
• T...

The Story Begins

Imagine that the walls around us dissolve. All the bricks and lumber fall away. The buildings outside melt and disappear. There are no streets, no cars, no campus. 

A breeze ruffles your hair. Above you is sky, blue with fat white clouds. All arou...

Baldwin Beacon, Vol 16

New Beacon out now!

Items of interest:

--> Proposed sidewalk grant

--> What about Halloween?

--> Bauer Building Hub

...and more.

Click through to read The Beacon.

The Baldwin Beacon, Vol. 15

New Beacon available now. 

In this issue:

• Project updates
• Recap of survey results & flag design contest
• Women’s suffrage events, a mural bench unveiling, and a movie night with strong female leads

Read on...

The Baldwin Beacon: Vol. 14

New Baldwin Beacon available.

Topics range from Hakuna Matata, to flag designs, to Mystery Mike and a downtown music survey. Go read it now!