Your Tuesday briefing for everything happening in Leawood

Leawood, Kansas | January 13, 2026 | 6 min read

Hello neighbors, this is James.

Hope 2026 is treating you well. This week brings a taste of spring before winter takes over — we're looking at low 60s today before dropping to the teens by Sunday. The Chiefs are locked in at #9 in the draft, Johnson County is cutting some transit routes, and we've got three adorable pets who need forever homes. Let's get into it.

The week in a nutshell: A beautiful start that feels like early spring, then reality sets in. By the weekend, we're in the deep freeze with lows in the teens. Perfect weather to stay inside and watch playoff football.

The Leawood market has 85+ active listings with a median around $800K. Here are three worth a look this week:

4309 W 112th Terrace — $475,000

3 bed | 3 bath A solid entry point into Leawood. Great for first-time buyers or those looking to downsize without leaving the neighborhood. → View on Redfin

4700 W 120th Street — $785,000

4 bed | 3.5 bath Mid-range option with room to spread out. Prime location in the 66209 zip code with easy access to Town Center. → View on Redfin

2608 W 118th Street — $3,250,000

4 bed | 5.5 bath Luxury living in Leawood. If you're looking for the high end of the market, this estate delivers with premium finishes throughout. → View on Redfin

City Hall Closed Briefly After Water Main Break A water main break last Thursday (Jan 9) forced the temporary closure of Leawood City Hall. City services were affected for part of the day while crews made repairs. Operations are back to normal. Source: City of Leawood

Johnson County Transit Cuts Coming March 1 Heads up if you use public transit: Routes 563 (Shawnee Express) and 569 (South OP Express) will be discontinued on March 1. The county is shifting resources to higher-ridership routes. If these are part of your commute, start planning alternatives now. Source: KSHB

LEGO Store Coming to Town Center Crossing LEGO has announced plans to open a certified store at Town Center Crossing later this year. The Danish toy company will give local LEGO fans a dedicated destination for sets, exclusives, and those satisfying wall-of-bricks pick-a-brick stations. Source: Johnson County Post

Clock Tower Landing Taking Shape in Downtown OP The $34 million Clock Tower Landing project, which includes a new farmers' market pavilion, is expected to wrap up in May 2026. The enclosed pavilion will host the farmers' market year-round plus special events like World Cup watch parties. Source: Johnson County Post

Blue Valley School Board meets tonight (Tuesday, Jan 13) at 7 PM. Agenda includes budget updates and facilities planning. Source: Blue Valley Schools

Shawnee Mission School District board meeting also scheduled for tonight. Check smsd.org for details and agenda. Source: Shawnee Mission Schools

Leawood City Council meets regularly throughout January. Check leawood.org/calendar for specific meeting times and agendas.

Draft Position Locked: The Chiefs finished 6-11 and hold the 9th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The rebuild begins.

Kelce Watch: Rumors continue about Travis Kelce's future. The 36-year-old tight end hasn't confirmed anything, but speculation is heating up. The Chiefs face a $66 million salary cap deficit heading into the offseason. Tough decisions ahead.

This Weekend: The NFL Divisional Round continues without us. Bills, Eagles, Lions, and Ravens battle for conference championship spots.

Lane Thomas Signed: The Royals added outfielder Lane Thomas on a $5.5 million deal. Solid veteran bat to complement the young core.

Matt Strahm Returns: The former Royal reliever is back after a trade, adding depth to the bullpen.

Extensions Locked In: Maikel Garcia and manager Matt Quatraro both got extensions, signaling confidence in the direction of the rebuild.

New Era Begins: Raphael Wicky takes over as head coach. The Swiss-American manager brings MLS experience from Chicago Fire and Young Boys.

SuperDraft: SKC selected forward Wesley Agyabeng out of Akron in the first round. Building for the future after a tough 2025.

NWSL Shield Winners: The Current finished as the best team in women's soccer during the 2025 regular season. New coaching staff coming in to push for the championship in 2026.

Prairie Village: The city is accepting applications for sustainability grants up to $3,500. Residents can get funding for solar panels, energy-efficient HVAC, insulation, and other green improvements. Applications open January 15 through February. Source: Johnson County Post

Lenexa: The $200 million, 75-acre "Solera" mixed-use development near K-7 and Prairie Star Parkway is moving forward. The project will bring 500+ housing units plus retail and office space to western Lenexa. Source: Johnson County Post

Shawnee: The old Wonderscope site at 57th and King is getting new life. The Shawnee Planning Commission approved 14 townhomes as part of a redevelopment that also includes 40 apartments in the former museum building. Source: Johnson County Post

KC Symphony: Beethoven & Mozart — Fri-Sat, Jan 17-18 Kauffman Center | 8 PM | Tickets from $25 Michael Stern conducts an evening of classical masterworks. Perfect date night. → Tickets

Candlelight: Queen vs ABBA — Thu, Jan 16 Various KC venues | 6:30 PM & 9 PM | $35+ String quartet performs Queen and ABBA hits by candlelight. Intimate, gorgeous, Instagram-worthy. → Tickets

KC Restaurant Week — Ends Jan 18 Over 240 restaurants with prix fixe menus at $20, $40, $50, and $65. Last chance this week. 10% goes to reStart. → Restaurants

Crown Center Ice Terrace — Open through March Crown Center | Daily | $9 admission, $5 skate rental The outdoor rink is in prime condition. Bundle up and make memories. Hot chocolate available. → Info

KC Zoo Penguin March — Weekends in January Kansas City Zoo | 10:30 AM | Free with admission Watch the penguins waddle through their exhibit. Kids and adults love it. → Info

MLK Jr. Day of Service — Sun-Mon, Jan 19-20 Various locations throughout KC Volunteer opportunities across the metro to honor Dr. King's legacy. → Find a project

Kimberly Akimbo — Jan 20-25 Starlight Theatre (indoors) | Various times | Tickets from $39 The Tony Award-winning musical about a teenager with a rare aging condition. Funny, heartfelt, acclaimed. → Tickets

This week's feel-good section features three pets at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City looking for their forever homes.

Merry — Terrier/American Staffordshire Mix 3 years old | Medium size | $150 adoption fee

Merry is a sweet, affectionate girl who loves people. She's house-trained and walks well on a leash. Her tail hasn't stopped wagging since she arrived. → Meet Merry at HSGKC

Treasure — Pit Bull Terrier Puppy Puppy | Medium size | $225 adoption fee

Treasure lives up to her name. This playful pup is full of energy and ready for adventure. Great with kids and eager to learn. → Meet Treasure at HSGKC

Whisk — Domestic Longhair Kitten Kitten | $125 adoption fee

Fluffy, curious, and ready to be your lap cat. Whisk is a gentle soul who loves chin scratches and sunny windowsills. → Meet Whisk at HSGKC

Adoption includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchip. Visit hsgkc.org or call (913) 596-1000.

Thanks for reading Good Morning, Leawood. We'll be back in your inbox next Tuesday with what's happening in town, what's worth your time, and what the neighbors are up to.

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Stay warm out there, Leawood.

— James