Urban Neighborhood Initiative
UPDATE - Initial Target Area Announced
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City announced that the Troost Corridor has been chosen as the first area for this unprecedented neighborhood revitalization effort.
After careful consideration, the UNI leadership group has decided to focus its initial efforts in the area between Troost and Highway 71, from 23rd Street to 51st Street (click here for a map). This corridor approach will include parts of several neighborhoods with strong partnership capabilities. In addition, the multi-neighborhood approach expands leadership and capacity-building potential. By focusing in this area, UNI leaders hope to also align with other Chamber Big 5 projects that are focusing on entrepreneurship and commercial investment.
This corridor is intended to be the first of many areas that will be impacted by the Urban Neighborhood Initiative. As improvements are made in the Troost Corridor, successful strategies may be replicated in other areas of Greater Kansas City.
To begin, however, volunteers wanted to focus where there is not only great need, but also positive activities already underway that can be used as a foundation. There are already some very committed individuals and organizations working in the Troost Corridor and the UNI hopes to partner with them to build upon their successes.
If you have any questions regarding the UNI, please contact Sylvia Robinson by email at sylviarobinson[@]uwgkc.org or by phone at (816) 559-4711.
What is the Urban Neighborhood Initiative?
The Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) is one of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s “Big 5” ideas announced in September 2011, aimed at creating economic opportunity and establishing a more vibrant Kansas City region. Click here to read more about the Big 5.
The Urban Neighborhood Initiative seeks to collaborate with an interested East Side low-income neighborhood or area to identify and begin to address issues to improve the opportunities of its residents.
This initial effort will involve two phases of work – planning and implementation. Each phase will engage community-wide stakeholders and residents in a process to collaboratively identify issues and resources than can effect change.
Who is involved?
The Chamber selected “champions” for each of its Big 5 ideas who will help bring them to fruition. The Urban Neighborhood Initiative is being led by Terry Dunn, president & CEO of JE Dunn Construction Group and Brent Stewart, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Kansas City.
These champions have already begun work with a group of key community leaders and organizations, who are serving as the UNI Community Leaders Group. Recognizing that this will be a dynamic and long-term process, the UNI Community Leaders Group are committing their time, effort and influence toward supporting implementation by identifying both human and financial resources to ensure success.
Why is United Way managing this effort?
United Way of Greater Kansas was chosen by the Chamber to serve as managing partner for the duration of the initiative based on its track record for engaging the community, convening strategic partnerships and getting results that strengthen financial stability.
Why are you focusing on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri?
Quite simply, the neighborhoods that make up Kansas City, Missouri's east side have some of the greatest needs in our region. As one indicator of greater need, four out of five of the Census tracts with median household incomes below $30,000 in Kansas City, Missouri (Jackson County) are located East of Troost.
Acknowledging the enormity of the opportunity, the UNI seeks to employ strategies within a designated area east of Troost in Kansas City, Missouri, as the initial opportunity to effect meaningful change. It is the intent of the UNI to identify and demonstrate effective strategies in the initial site, seeking to replicate effective approaches to bring about improved community health in additional areas throughout the Greater Kansas City region.
