Kansas City’s ‘ProspectUs Plan’ aims to revitalize disinvested corridor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Kansas City residents living along the Prospect Avenue corridor say they are hopeful for the future.

Kansas City leaders have launched an ambitious long-term redevelopment plan to revitalize one of the city’s most historically underserved corridors.

Earlier this year, the City Council adopted the “ProspectUS” plan, targeting the area served by the Prospect MAX bus line. The plan was discussed in the city council on Thursday and referred to a committee.

The bus route stretches from 12th Street to 75th Street. The city hopes to use transit as a backbone for equitable development that includes bringing 40,000 new residents, 15,000 jobs and 17,000 new homes to the corridor.

City officials say the goal is to reverse decades of disinvestment in neighborhoods where many low-income families continue to struggle.

“When you go down Prospect right now, there’s a sense of hopelessness,” said Robinson.

According to city data, the Prospect MAX is the most-used transit line in Kansas City. Leaders say that popularity is key to making the area more vibrant with housing and places to work, shop and gather.

The 20-year plan includes redeveloping vacant buildings, adding affordable housing and encouraging commercial growth.

For residents like Lisa Ray, president of the Town Fork Creek Neighborhood Association, the change can’t come soon enough.

“A thriving community where people feel safe, recognized, have access to things they don’t have access to right now,” Ray said, describing her vision for the neighborhood.

Ray hopes the project can bring in new families and also give younger residents a reason to stay.

“They’re going away to college and everything, and then they move away because there’s not anything to keep them here in the neighborhood,” she said.

Lamar Vickers, another Town Fork Creek resident, said other attempts to revitalize the area haven’t come to fruition, but he is hopeful this plan will be different.

“This one now seems like it’s actually going to become a reality,” Vickers said. “And we are ready to do our part here in Town Fork Creek to make sure our area is developed properly.”

City officials are still working to identify funding sources and develop a community benefits agreement that is economically inclusive for residents.

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