Olathe, Kansas, is set to demolish several buildings, including the former Toni’s Italian Restaurant, as part of a major Santa Fe Street overhaul. The city has acquired properties valued at around $22 million to facilitate improvements from Ridgeview Road to Mur-Len Road. A Kansas City-based demolition company will handle the tear-down, preparing the area for road construction and an I-35 interchange project.

The project will displace approximately 20 businesses. Buildings targeted for demolition include a former Avis Car Rental shop and other establishments. The city council approved a contract with Industrial Salvage & Wrecking Co. Inc. for the demolition, with bids ranging from $511,700 to $1.3 million. Some structures contain asbestos, requiring special handling during the demolition process.

This project stems from the need to improve safety at the Santa Fe and I-35 interchange, which has a crash rate six times the national average. The $200 million project includes a reconstructed interchange, new bridges, and road realignments. Construction on Santa Fe is anticipated to begin in late 2027, with I-35 improvements starting later this year.

Businesses like Toni's Italian Restaurant closed or relocated, citing the project's impact. The restaurant has since opened a new location in Shawnee. The city has been in communication with affected property owners and businesses, following federal guidelines to advise tenants throughout the process. The impact of infrastructure projects on local businesses is a common concern.