‘Healthy campus’ in downtown KCK another step closer to reality

By Jim McLean
KHI News Service

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A multimillion-dollar plan to transform this city’s downtown into a national model is one step closer to reality.

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners last week unanimously approved a new master development plan designed to help improve the health of Kansas City and other Wyandotte County residents by providing a state-of-the-art community center, more green space in which to exercise and access to healthy foods at a 30,000- to 35,000-square-foot urban grocery store.

The 8-0 vote to approve the Downtown Central Parkway Plan and its signature “healthy campus” occurred only six months after a public forum where city and county residents were openly skeptical that UG officials could move the ambitious plan from concept to reality.

“Trust was a big concern,” said Gordon Criswell, assistant county administrator. At the time of the May forum, he summarized the sentiment expressed as: “We have been let down time and time again, and so … don’t set us up to fail again.”

Plans for ‘healthy campus’ in KCK expected to move forward

By Mike Sherry
Kansas Health Institute
 
KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland on Thursday evening unveiled an initiative to ensure that all residents can use a proposed new community center regardless of their financial circumstances.

Holland announced the initiative as part of a community forum at City Hall for the “healthy campus” proposed for an urban site just west of downtown Kansas City, Kan.

A proposal championed by Holland, the healthy campus would be a mixed-use development that would revolve around Big Eleven Lake, which is bounded by 10th and 11th streets between State Avenue and Washington Boulevard.

Holland unveiled the healthy campus idea in his State of the Government address earlier this year.

At the forum, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan., also expects to unveil a master plan for the development.

As part of the implementation process, the Unified Government is considering adopting a formal Downtown Central Parkway Implementation Plan, which government officials expect will be drafted by Oct. 28.

Holland to unveil plan for Healthy Campus in Downtown KCK

Information:

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Mayor Mark Holland and Gould Evans Architects will unveil the proposed plan for the "Healthy Campus" project site in downtown KCK during a special meeting Thursday, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at KCK City Hall.

Gould Evans was hired as a consultant to begin a master planning process in May of this year and their proposal includes input received from hundreds of community members and stakeholders.

The presentation of the plan design will occur at 5:30pm. Stakeholder break-out groups will be conducted at 6:15pm.

In 2009, Wyandotte County was ranked last in overall health by the Kansas Health Institute, which kick-started the Healthy Communities Wyandotte Initiative. Addressing the health rankings is a top priority of Mayor Mark Holland.

Of particular concern is the presence of a food desert in KCK's Downtown community. The Mayor's vision for the Healthy Campus is anchored by a new grocery store, a new community center and expanded green space for recreational activity near the intersection of 10th and Minnesota Avenue.

Thursday's meeting will include breakout sessions to gather reaction and input from stakeholders and the public. The presentation will be broadcast on UGTV (Time Warner Ch. 2, WOW Ch. 25, and Google Fiber Ch. 141) and later archived on the Unified Government's YouTube Channel.

The final presentation is slated to go before the Unified Government Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners later in the year after feedback from Thursday's presentation is incorporated.

YWCA building in downtown KCK to be auctioned off

News Release:

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Auction Management Corporation (www.auctionEbid.com) announces the auction of a 3 story former YWCA building located at 1017 North 6th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101 on Wednesday, October 8th at 10:00 am according to Jeb Howell, president of the company.

The property is a 19,948 +/- Square foot 3 story, low maintenance brick and masonry multipurpose building. This building offers a beautiful glass entryway, several open interior spaces, large conference center with audio/visual equipment and a former café facility which includes appliances. 

This downtown building was built in 1958 and was expanded and renovated in 2006. The property is located in Wyandotte County and zoned C-D Central Business District. The building has easy access to Interstate 70 and just minutes west of downtown Kansas City, Missouri and several connecting interstates, providing quick access to the entire metro area.

The auction will occur on-site with live webcast bidding on October 8th at 10:00 am. Bidders must provide proof of funds. A 6% Buyer’s Premium will be added to bid amount. A 10% Earnest Money Deposit is required day of auction and closing must occur by October 30th. Inspections of the property will be Monday, Sept. 29th at 12:00 and Friday, October 3rd at 12:00 Sharp.

For additional information, please visit www.auctionEbid.com or Contact Jeb Howell at 770-841-9924 or email at Jeb@auctionEbid.com.