Kansas City, Missouri Signs Deal for 71-Highway Project Aimed at Reconnecting Neighborhoods

Kansas City, Missouri has taken a significant step towards revitalizing urban connectivity by officially signing a deal with Hg Consult, Incorporated. The primary goal is to tackle long-standing challenges created by the 71-Highway, which has been a barrier between downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

Understanding the Need for Change

At a press conference held on Friday, Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized the urgency of this initiative. “Anybody that’s tried to walk across the highway understands just how frustrating and challenging it is,” he remarked, underlining the safety concerns that this project aims to address. Currently, the 71 Highway is home to three of the ten most dangerous intersections in the entire state of Missouri.

Investment in Community Engagement

The deal, worth $5 million, is specifically designed to engage community members, gather input, and implement the required changes to reconnect these neighborhoods once again. The initial phase, costing 35% of the project’s budget, will focus on public outreach. This phase includes working closely with the residents living near the highway to identify their needs and concerns.

Long-term Effects of Highway Infrastructure

Councilmember Darrell Curls pointed out that, while the 71 Highway was intended to facilitate traffic from south Kansas City to downtown, it inadvertently caused numerous negative repercussions for local neighborhoods. “When this project was established, it was to expedite traffic downtown, but the full consequences were not realized at the time,” he said.

Public Works Director Michael Shaw echoed these sentiments, noting how the highway’s construction in the 1990s led to the demolition of around 2,000 homes. As a result, many neighborhoods have experienced economic disinvestment, increased air pollution leading to a rise in asthma cases, and a host of other social challenges.

Community-Centric Solutions

Shaw stressed the importance of community involvement in finding solutions, stating, “We are going to be looking for the community to be highly engaged in the solution. Without the community, we cannot solve this problem because the solution is for this community.”

A Call to Action for Residents

Local leaders, including members of the Town Fork Creek Neighborhood Association, are urging residents to actively participate in this planning process. Darlene Guess, a representative of the association, emphasized the necessity of involvement, saying, “I’m here to challenge the folks in the neighborhood, our residents, and our community members to be involved.”

Looking Ahead

Though it will be years before concrete changes are implemented, city officials are optimistic that the outcomes will encourage residents to stop, shop, and invest in their local neighborhoods.

As the project unfolds, Kansas City aims to dismantle the barriers created by the highway and foster a more connected, thriving community.