Kansas City Initiates ‘Reconnecting the East Side’ Project

Residents engaging in a community meeting for the Reconnecting the East Side project.

News Summary

Kansas City has launched the ‘Reconnecting the East Side’ project to counter the negative effects of U.S. 71 Highway on the local community. With a focus on community involvement, the initiative aims to address long-standing issues, promote safety, and foster healing while securing significant federal funding. The project encourages residents to share their insights and concerns to shape future phases, reflecting a commitment to improvement and connection.

Kansas City Launches ‘Reconnecting the East Side’ Project to Right Past Wrongs

Kansas City is kicking off an exciting new initiative named ‘Reconnecting the East Side’, aimed at addressing the long-standing impact that U.S. 71 Highway has had on the local community. With the very first community meeting held at Southeast High School, members of the East Side community gathered to share their thoughts and concerns about the changes they hope to see.

Bringing Together the Right People

This project isn’t just a solo effort; it’s a collaboration between the City of Kansas City, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), and the Mid-America Regional Council. Thanks to a generous $5 million federal grant, the first two phases of the ‘Reconnecting the East Side’ project are off and running. To add to that, both the City and MoDOT are also chipping in an additional $2.5 million. That’s a lot of funding aimed at improving a community that has faced challenges for decades!

Making Room for Community Voices

City Engineer Nicolas Bosonetto highlighted the vital importance of community input in this journey. Residents are being encouraged to map out the changes they wish to see between 85th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, which is a crucial part of the highway’s route being examined. This community-centric approach is something that many feel can lead to much-needed solutions.

Reflecting on the Highway’s History

Looking back at history, the construction of U.S. 71, which took place from the 1990s to early 2000s, was aimed at connecting downtown Kansas City with surrounding metro areas. However, this project had a profound impact on the local population. An estimated 2,000 African-American families were displaced, resulting in significant negative repercussions for the community. Understanding this context is essential, as it shows why this new initiative is so important in re-establishing connections and promoting healing.

Tackling Safety and Health Concerns

Safety is a major focus area for this project. The segments of U.S. 71 that run near 51st Street, 59th Street, and Gregory have been reported as high crash-prone zones. This area has an alarming rate of fatalities—the highest in Missouri—which has raised significant concern among residents. Additionally, the highway has contributed to environmental issues that include noise, light, and general pollution that are affecting the health of those living nearby. Chronic health issues like asthma, heart disease, and lung problems have been reported at higher rates in these communities, raising the stakes even higher for this initiative.

Next Steps and Future Phases

The ‘Reconnecting the East Side’ project is not just a one-time event; it’s planned out in phases. The first gathering was just the beginning of the dialogue in what will be a deeper exploration of community needs and solutions. The next phase of the project will focus on legal guidelines from the 1985 Federal Consent Decree concerning U.S. 71, scheduled to run from October 2025 to December 2026. Following this, the third phase from June 2026 to September 2028 aims to implement transformational solutions that have been identified through community discussions.

A Community Ready for Change

Residents like Jacques Pierre Fransaw are hopeful that the ‘Reconnecting the East Side’ project will not only benefit their neighborhood but also enrich the overall fabric of the city. It’s clear that the people of Kansas City are eager to see the past addressed while paving the way for a bright and interconnected future. With community voices leading the way, there’s a sense of optimism about what’s to come.