News Summary
Kansas City has partially approved the ProspectUS plan aimed at revitalizing the Prospect Avenue corridor, targeting 40,000 new residents and 15,000 new jobs. Focused on walkable development and historical redress, the plan seeks to enhance transit access and support local communities while engaging residents in the planning process. With significant community feedback and funding for economic specialists, the project is a crucial effort for inclusive urban growth in the area.
Kansas City has announced its ambitious ProspectUS plan aimed at revitalizing the Prospect Avenue corridor, with the goal of accommodating 40,000 new residents, creating 15,000 new jobs, and developing 17,000 new homes. The Kansas City City Council partially approved this extensive plan in February 2025 after years of thorough preparation and community engagement.
The ProspectUS plan is designed to encourage well-planned, walkable, and denser community development, leveraging the existing Prospect MAX bus line—Kansas City’s busiest transit route that spans nine miles from 12th Street to 75th Street. City officials emphasize this plan as a strategic roadmap for future improvements in the Prospect Avenue corridor, which has faced numerous challenges over the decades.
Historical analysis of the area shows that highway construction throughout the 20th century contributed to population declines, neighborhood divisions, and vacant land. Furthermore, these developments systematically excluded Black residents from homeownership opportunities. The ProspectUS plan actively seeks to redress these past injustices and foster an inclusive community.
Key Features of the ProspectUS Plan
The comprehensive plan proposes the creation of specific “nodes” at major intersections, which will feature pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and mixed-use buildings. Enhancements in walkability and transit access are central to the development philosophy, ensuring the corridor becomes more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
The plan identifies six key goals that guide the vision for future development:
- Protect the community: Ensure the benefits of redevelopment extend to current residents without displacing them.
- Jumpstart reinvestment through public subsidy: Enhance public investments in affordable housing and crucial infrastructure.
- Improve walkability and transit access: Make the area more navigable for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Increase business amenities: Develop a youth entertainment district and provide grants to support small businesses.
- Grow the population through mixed-income development: Support diverse housing options in terms of income along Prospect Avenue.
- Implement sustainable practices: Focus on community wellness, energy efficiency, and the preservation of historic structures.
Scope and Community Engagement
The ProspectUS plan impacts over 20 neighborhoods that stretch from the south side of Kansas City to the historically significant northeast area. In support of the plan, the city secured a $400,000 federal grant in 2022 to study transit-oriented development, thereby reinforcing its commitment to thoughtful urban planning.
Community engagement has been a critical component of the planning process, with continuous efforts made to solicit feedback from local leaders, residents, and neighborhood organizations. Various events have been organized to gather public input, emphasizing the importance of collaborative decision-making in developing the Proposal.
Future Directions
The second part of the ProspectUS plan, involving a zoning overlay to facilitate denser and transit-focused development, received approval from the city’s plan commission in April 2025 and is currently pending further City Council approval. The Council has mandated a comprehensive one-year report that will outline the implementation of the ProspectUS plan, including timelines and potential partners.
In preparation for executing the plan, the 2026 Kansas City budget allocates funding for two economic development specialists whose roles will be to ensure effective support for the ProspectUS initiative. City Council members have noted concerns about the challenges ambitious projects face without formal backing; the new positions are designed to address this critical issue.
As Kansas City moves forward with the ProspectUS plan, discussions surrounding its implications have included insights from local neighborhood organizations, highlighting the importance of creating visually appealing walkways and ensuring that actual project funding aligns with the proposed vision for a revitalized Prospect Avenue corridor.
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Additional Resources
- KMBC: Man killed in shooting outside Kansas City business, multiple people detained
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- Fox4KC: Man charged with murder after deadly shooting at liquor store near 9th and Prospect
- Google Search: Kansas City
- KCTV5: Shooting at 9th and Prospect under investigation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kansas City
- Kansas City Star: Developments in local shootings
- Google News: Kansas City shootings
