Kansas City Launches $25 Million Stormwater Project to Alleviate Westport Flooding

Kansas City Takes Major Steps to Combat Flooding in Westport

Kansas City, Mo. — After decades of relentless flooding, the Westport District is finally getting the attention it deserves to tackle this age-old problem. For over 30 years, residents have been dealing with the aftermath of storms that have wreaked havoc, destroying homes, cars, and apartments. The city, however, has a plan in place, and it comes with a hefty price tag of $25 million. Could this be the breakthrough the community has been waiting for?

A Familiar Struggle

One person who knows all too well about the challenges of flooding is Amelia McIntyre. She’s lived through the rising waters for 14 years. “I’ve literally changed my pathway to go places to avoid low places that consistently flood,” she shared. If that’s not enough to make you rethink your route, she added that back in 2016-2017, some areas were underwater by 4, 5, or even 6 feet. Yikes!

The Solution Is Here

The city is stepping up its game with a stormwater project that promises to capture an impressive 3 ½ million gallons of floodwater. How? Well, they’re planning to install underground storage tanks beneath the Sunfresh Parking lot and Dr. Jeremiah Cameron Park. These tanks won’t just sit there filled with rainwater; the city’s deputy director of water services assured us that the water will be released slowly over time to prevent flooding from overwhelming the area.

Why It Matters

As much as floodwaters can bring frustration, they can also threaten the lifeblood of the community: small businesses. Andy Shively, the deputy director for the city’s water services department, emphasized the importance of keeping the area accessible. “Our economic engine is our small businesses and businesses that reside here,” he said. “We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to make it to those businesses, and we don’t want them to flood out.” Sounds like a win-win to us!

Enhancing Westport’s Appeal

But that’s not all! The project aims to enhance Mill Street’s design, introducing stormwater piping, wider sidewalks, and even on-street parking. Not only will this help with flooding, but it is set to beautify the Westport area and improve accessibility. Coming up from Dr. Jeremiah Cameron Park at West 43rd Street and Broadway Boulevard will be a much better experience thanks to the planned pedestrian paths and a tree replacement plan, which aims to make the park more inviting. Your afternoon stroll through the park is about to get a whole lot nicer!

A Positive Outlook

McIntyre is feeling hopeful about the changes. Having already attended an open house to discuss construction phases, she said, “It’s well thought out. I am encouraged by their sensitivity to bring infrastructure on Mill Street.” Here’s to more people feeling the same way!

Countdown to Construction

With a historical backdrop of flood disasters, the collaboration of designers, architects, and engineers is essential to moving forward. The plan is for construction to kick off in 2025 and wrap up just in time for the big event, the World Cup in 2026. Talk about a deadline with a purpose!

So there you have it, Kansas City. A $25 million investment and a comprehensive stormwater project could be just what Westport needs to finally put an end to the flooding that has troubled it for so long. With some luck and dedication, Westport could soon become a thriving area that businesses and residents can truly enjoy without the fear of rising waters.