The Gateway Gazette | Issue 2
ABOUT CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS
In 2016, the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri (HAKC) and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, as co-grantees, received a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to replace the Chouteau Courts public housing site at 1220 Independence Avenue and support the revitalization of the Paseo Gateway District. The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) includes strategies focused on the three areas of Housing, People, and Neighborhood.
The Paseo Gateway CNI team is excited to utilize this newsletter as an additional tool for keeping neighbors, public housing residents, partners, and stakeholders informed of our progress and achievements!
Housing - The replacement of the Chouteau Courts public housing site is taking place with the creation of 7 new mixed-finance developments led by the Grant's master developer, Brinshore Development, LLC, and Affordable Housing of Kansas City, Inc., the Housing Authority's development entity.
Neighborhood - The City of Kansas City, Missouri, is the lead implementation entity for the Neighborhood component of the CNI Grant and works in conjunction with Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and the businesses, institutions, and the three neighborhood associations within the Paseo Gateway District.
People - United Way of Greater Kansas City and HAKC's Resident Services Department are the lead implementation entities under the People component of the Grant. Together, they work with the Choice Neighborhood Initiative families to develop plans for success in education, health, employment, and self-sufficiency.
DEMOLITION OF CHOUTEAU COURT CONTINUES!
Demolition of the 60-year-old Chouteau Court public housing site is ahead of schedule due to favorable winter weather. A large hydraulic excavator can knock one of the buildings down in half an hour, but sorting and removal of debris and recyclable materials such as aluminum are very labor intensive. The top floors of some buildings adjacent to Independence Avenue were demolished by hand in order to avoid spillover of debris into the street.
All 22 buildings were tested for environmental hazards. All asbestos and household hazardous waste was removed, and each building was certified by an environmental firm before being torn down. During demolition, water was sprayed on the debris to reduce airborne dust. Completion of demolition and debris removal to certified landfills is expected by May 1. This will include the removal of all utility lines and foundations and grading and fill to create a safe site for future redevelopment. CJR Construction is the general contractor on the site, conducting both the environmental abatement and demolition. OCCU-TEC environmental consultants certify asbestos abatement and conduct soil and air quality sampling. CJR made a commitment with the HAKC Section 3 Program to hire public housing residents for new positions that become available on the site. Over the course of the project, six public housing residents were hired.
As of March, all buildings at Chouteau Courts have been knocked down and hauling off of materials is underway.
HOUSING
PASEO GATEWAY PARTNERS CELEBRATE PENDLETON ARTSBLOCK OPENING!
On December 3rd, Brinshore Development and the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri (HAKC), announced the grand opening of Pendleton ArtsBlock - a state-of-the-art, 38-unit mixed-income development that features loft-style studios and one and two-bedroom apartments along with a roof deck, workshop, fitness room, secured car and bike parking, and three micro-retail bays for Charlotte Street Foundation's StartUp Residency program. Pendleton ArtsBlock is the third housing phase of the Paseo Gateway Choice Neighborhoods revitalization strategy.
Designed by Dake Wells and DRAW architecture, Pendleton ArtsBlock complements the historic Pendleton Heights neighborhood by embracing Independence Avenue and framing Independence Plaza Park. The bold urban architecture layers a traditional brick exterior with contemporary styling. The development is environmentally friendly and meets green design standards.
Pendleton ArtsBlock is fully occupied. It can accommodate interested households regardless of income, providing a range of housing options from market-rate to income-based, where residents pay no more than 30% of their income in rent.
In addition to housing, Pendleton ArtsBlock also includes significant arts and supportive services programming. Arts Asylum will curate the arts activities in the building, while Mattie Rhodes Center will provide supportive services for residents. Finally, Charlotte Street Foundation is running its StartUp Residency Program out of three micro-retail bays, of which the first Program fellows are: the African American Artists Collective, Kansas City Public Theater, and the Kansas City Society of Contemporary Photography.
Excellent amenities surround the development. Across the street from Pendleton ArtsBlock is the 555 Olive Center and Harmony Project KC, an award-winning after-school music program. Down the street are Scuola Vita Nuova, a high-performing Charter School, and Pendleton Flats, a 30-unit mixed-income development Brinshore/HAKC completed in 2017. Additionally, Split Log Coffee opened up next door on Olive Street on December 16th.
The development was made possible through state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Missouri Housing Development Commission, HOME Investment Partnership funds from the City, and HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant funds through HAKC. US Bank was the equity investor, and Central Bank of Kansas City (located across the street) was the construction lender. 4Sight Construction served as the general contractor.
Pendleton ArtsBlock Ribbon Cutting celebration on December 3rd, 2019. Pendleton ArtsBlock is Phase 3 of the CNI replacement housing plan and consists of 38 units of studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments with a waitlist preference for artists. The building was fully occupied in January. Please click here for more information!
Partners and residents gathered outside Pendleton ArtsBlock for the ribbon cutting on December 3rd, 2019.
Pendleton ArtsBlock. First-floor community room.
Pendleton ArtsBlock. Kitchen in a 2-bedroom apartment.
A wonderful and unusually warm December day allowed the speech portion of the celebration to be held outdoors under the building's podium. View from Olive Street looking southwest.
PENDLETON ARTS BLOCK: GRAND OPENING SPEECH BY SHAMARI ROBBS
Pendleton ArtsBlock artist-resident, Shamari Robbs, providing her moving speech at the Ribbon Cutting Celebration on December 3rd, 2019.
I am an emerging artist that recently relocated to the Kansas City area. I believe you never become an artist. You are born an artist. Emerging artists often struggle with turning our craft into profit. In the past, I have personally backed out of being an artist because of financial uncertainty. Affordable housing for artists means a chance to live with more stability. Affordable housing for artists means networking with other creatives. Being part of a community of artists is very crucial for productivity and growth. Often, artists isolate themselves because they are misunderstood. Creatives understand other creatives. By being in a community of artists, we have a support system. However, I believe support from the community is even more important. The artist needs the community as much as the community needs the artist. The artist expresses the emotions of the community. We often reflect the heart and soul of where we live. That reflection can be ugly or beautiful, but that reflection is needed to understand each other in such a divided America. So, thank you, Pendleton Arts Block, for giving this artist a chance. I hope more artists take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
NEIGHBORHOOD
URBAN LAND INSTITUTE (ULI) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PANEL (TAP)
In 2020 the City of Kansas City, Missouri, will work with the Housing Authority and the residents and organizations of the Paseo Gateway community to plan the future of the Chouteau Court and Belvidere Park sites. The disposition of Belvidere Park was approved by voters in the Fall of 2019, and the demolition of the Chouteau Court public housing site will be completed this Spring. Together the two sites will provide 15 acres for the redevelopment opportunity at a strategic location in Kansas City.
The redevelopment of the two sites has been selected for an Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) now scheduled in September this year. The TAP program brings expertise in real estate, design, and finance to bear on local land use planning and development projects. ULI Kansas City will assemble an interdisciplinary team of senior professionals for a two-daylong brainstorming session.
The TAP program concentrates a team of local experts in a comprehensive look at all angles of the development process, to formulate realistic options and a strategic approach with the present opportunity to redevelop the project area. Paseo Gateway stakeholders will be interviewed about their vision for the site prior to the session. The community will be invited to participate in the ULI TAP process and to hear the recommendations. Future steps in the redevelopment process will include additional opportunities for community participation.
PASEO GATEWAY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The purpose of the Paseo Gateway Advisory Council is to provide the Choice Neighborhoods program partners, including the City of Kansas City, Missouri, with direction and feedback regarding program activities with a current focus on the Critical Community Improvement (CCI) Plan. The Council also serves as the formal body for communication with residents and Paseo Gateway stakeholders.
Advisory Council Goals:
- Provide clear direction to the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Team
- Effectively and consistently communicate with the larger community about the status of Paseo Gateway projects
- Ensure that the Paseo Gateway community has an impactful voice in the decision-making process regarding program activities
- Support events such as groundbreakings, grand openings, and special gatherings
- Encourage and support positive community engagement by the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Team
- Evaluate the efforts of the Implementation Team in the effective and efficient implementation of stated community goals
- Develop sustainable working relationships between stakeholders to support future Paseo Gateway revitalization activities
Gateway Advisory Council Committees
The Advisory Council committees include Resident Engagement, Neighborhood Health, and Placemaking. For more information, contact Chris Harden McKinney by email.
A late afternoon winter view of the Pendleton Heights neighborhood from the Pendleton ArtsBlock roof deck.
PEOPLE
555 Olive Center. The individuals behind the CNI "People" programs - thank you for all that you do!
555 Olive Center partner agency, Start at Zero, led a parent education playgroup and information session targeted to Choice families from Somalian decent. This weekly playgroup and information from Somalian decent. This weekly playgroup provides families with an opportunity to receive school-option information for Rising Kindergartners, free educational development screenings, and schedule on-going 1-on-1 parent support.
GET ENGAGED IN THE PASEO GATEWAY!
THE 555 OLIVE CENTER FOR CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE FAMILIES
Below are all the current activities and programs offered at the 555 Olive Center, located at 555 Olive Street. The 555 Olive Center is currently closed during the Kansas City, Missouri, emergency order. Please watch PaseoGateway.com for further updates. If you are already a participant in one of these programs, please contact the program coordinator or your case manager for more information.
BIRTH TO AGE 6
- Happy Bottoms
Diaper Distribution for Children Birth to Age 3 - Start at Zero/United Way Success by 6 Center
Parent-Child Play Group; Developmental Screenings for Children Birth to Age 6 (Somali, Swahili, Spanish) - Toy Lending Library
Description: Children's Early Education Support
YOUTH PROGRAMS
- Mattie Rhodes Arts Center
Free after-school art classes and summer camp - The Neighborhood
Youth mentoring program
For more information or to sign-up, please contact LaVon Carter by email, or by phone at 816-988-1912. - Global FC
Soccer, Mentorship, and Academic Tutoring for Youth Ages 10 and Older
ADULT EDUCATION
- Independence School District - ESL and High school Equivalency Courses
Must be 17 years or Older - Literacy KC
Adult Literacy Courses
FOCUSED PROGRAMMING
- Jewish Vocational Services
Mental Health Services, Basic Health Classes, Global Gardening Training - Kansas City Public Library
Tech Access/Basic Computer Training, Library Cards, Drop-In Computer Lab, Refugee Services - KC for Refugees
Refugee Family Advocacy, Academic Tutoring, Financial Literacy, and Hygiene Kit Distribution
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Association Meetings
- Independence Plaza Neighborhood Association Meetings
- Paseo West Neighborhood Association Meetings
- Paseo Gateway Neighborhood Council Meetings
- United Way (2-1-1) Emergency Assistance
- Central Bank of Kansas City Financial Literacy Information Sessions
For more information or to schedule a tour of the 555 Olive Center, please contact:
Kirk Proctor
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative
Project Director, United Way of Greater Kansas City
555 Olive Street, Kansas City, MO 64124
(816) 559-4661
