RESOLUTION NO. 250413
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Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Robinson
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to develop a strategy for the implementation of the ProspectUS Equitable Transit Oriented Development Strategic Plan that includes $500 million of investment over 10 years; directing the City Manager to negotiate with the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City to include the creation of a ProspectUs advisory group and the funding of a ProsectUS Plan Manager in the 2026-2025 EDC Annual Contract.
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WHEREAS, throughout the 1900s, much of the urban core east of Troost Avenue was the target of discriminatory policies and practices that disadvantaged predominantly Black communities on the East Side of Kansas City, and along the Prospect Corridor specifically; and
WHEREAS, as a result the Prospect Corridor is in need of significant, strategic, sustained investment; and
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2025, the City Council adopted the ProspectUS Equitable Transit Oriented Development Strategic Plan (the “Plan”) to serve as a guide for future development and redevelopment of the area, for specific and general policies to guide future decisions, and for identification of public and private needs throughout the community and possible solutions to those needs; and
WHEREAS, one of the objectives of the Plan is to produce and maintain equitable nodes which will provide direct access to goods, services, and housing in proximity to transit. Nodes vary in intensity of use and development; and
WHEREAS, efficient and equitable implementation of the Plan will require significant investment, continued monitoring, and continued intentional community engagement; and
WHEREAS, the prioritization of development of nodes should be informed by an equity impact review; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes this implementation will be best achieved through the creation of a community advisory group to monitor and make recommendations on prioritization of development along the Prospect Corridor along with a full-time dedicated staff member; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to formalize a strategy for implementation of the Plan; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the City Manager is directed to develop a formal strategy for the implementation of the ProspectUS Equitable Transit Oriented Development Strategic Plan that includes a $ 500,000,000.00 investment over ten years. The strategy should ensure that historic residents are not displaced and the historical inequitable development practices are not repeated in the implementation of the Plan with an emphasis on equity.
Section 2. That the City Manager is authorized to negotiate with the EDC for the EDC to create an advisory group of community members to be appointed by the president and CEO of the EDC. The advisory group should be charged with advising on prioritizing the nodes, informed by staff-created equity impact review; monitoring the implementation of the strategy identified in Section 1 of this ordinance; and making additional recommendations regarding implementation of the Plan.
Section 3. That the City Manager is authorized to negotiate with the EDC to include in the 2026-2027 EDC annual contract funding for a ProsectUS Plan Manager for ten years with an annual salary of $250,000.000.
Section 4. That the City Manager is directed to report back to City Council on Sections 1-3 of this ordinance no later than October 15, 2025.
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