Kansas City: A Community in Transition
Kansas City, Missouri, is currently witnessing a significant transformation in one of its communities, Parade Park Homes. The foreclosure sale that occurred in March set the ball rolling for a major redevelopment initiative, marking the beginning of a journey that many residents, including longtime denizens, didn’t anticipate. As the city collaborates with developers Flaherty & Collins Properties and Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation, a grand $300 million redevelopment plan has been approved to revamp the area into 1,084 new housing units.
From a Community to Uncertainty
Many residents have already made the tough decision to leave their homes as construction plans unfold. Lynn Williams, a longtime resident of Parade Park, shared her experience during an interview. “It was a community, I’m tellin’ ya. A real good community,” she reminisced with a chuckle, recalling the tight-knit relationships that formed there. Now, however, she finds herself in a new place—the Residences at Park 39 in Westport—after dealing with a challenging move.
Williams admitted her journey wasn’t easy. “It was almost sometimes depressing because you were really, you know, you have to go, but you don’t know where you’re going,” she explained. Many residents, some of whom were older adults, faced significant hurdles. The original timeline allowed for moving out proved insufficient for some, leading to feelings of stress and uncertainty.“Most of Parade Park are seniors,” Williams noted, highlighting that many residents were in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. This age demographic raises concerns about who will return when the redevelopment is complete in a few years.
The Challenges of Moving
Williams was part of Phase 1 of the plan to redevelop Parade Park. She expressed hope that the subsequent phases would be smoother for future residents. She even wrote a letter asking for an extension beyond the **October 7th deadline**, ultimately moving out just three days later. As of late October, other former residents were still vacating their units, showcasing the lingering challenges.
Moving is tough at any age, but for seniors, it can be particularly daunting. Williams candidly shared, “Packing and unpacking are difficult. And the older you get, it’s even worse.” Now settled into a new apartment, she is left pondering whether she’d return once the redevelopment is completed, despite her prior feelings toward the rich community history of Parade Park. Residents who move out are promised the first right of refusal, but for many, including her, the nostalgia and effort of moving weigh heavily.
A Bittersweet Legacy
As she reminisces, Williams reflects on the emotional toll of losing what had been a vibrant community. “I don’t care what they build over there,” she says firmly about the future developments at Parade Park. “Parade Park died, as far as I’m concerned.” The area is now characterized by empty driveways, broken siding, and boarded-up windows, creating an atmosphere that Williams describes as eerie.
Although she doesn’t blame the developers for the community’s decline, Williams does attribute past mismanagement to a fractured homeowners’ association. “It was in the palm of our hands,” she remarked, reminiscing about a time when the community had more control over its fate. Williams has always supported redevelopment but acknowledges the loss of the neighborhood’s historical identity.
Preserving the Past While Looking Forward
“That area down there, 18th and Vine area, it’s no longer going to be a Black community,” she stated. The looming question remains: how do communities preserve their legacies amidst redevelopment?
Through her own experience, Williams emphasizes the importance of vigilance in your community’s governance. “Watch your boards, watch your co-ops, watch your homeowners associations, watch your neighborhood associations,” she advises passionately. Moreover, she champions oral storytelling as a powerful tool for preserving history, inspiring others to engage actively rather than merely observe. “Stay on point. Be a part of it. Don’t ever give up,” she asserts, embodying the spirit of resilience.
Kansas City is on a new path, and as it forges ahead into the future, it’s vital to remember and honor the tales of those who came before. The hope is that through these transformative changes, something new can bloom that can encapsulate both the past and present effectively.
