COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR RESOLUTION NO. 091006

Expressing support for the recommendations in the South Loop Link Feasibility Study; support for applications for additional project funding; and authorizing the Mayor to send letters, as necessary, to support grant/funding applications/opportunities.

WHEREAS, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) anticipates replacing the Grand Boulevard, Walnut Street, Main Street, and Baltimore Avenue bridges over 1-670 within approximately 10-15 years; and

WHEREAS, staff has completed a Feasibility Study (South Loop Link Feasibility) for the right-of-way between east- and westbound Truman Road between Wyandotte Street and Oak Street in Kansas City (Study Area); and

WHEREAS, the South Loop Link Feasibility Study proactively looks at the bridge replacements as an opportunity to create an asset for the City, to build on the recent successes of Downtown, to improve the pedestrian environment, to catalyze further urban development and to promote urban density and activity; and

WHEREAS, the Study Area is situated in a prominent location in the downtown area, within a block of the Convention Center, Power & Light Entertainment District, Sprint Center, and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts; and

WHEREAS, the South Loop Link project could mitigate any adverse impacts caused by 1-670 through environmentally sound best practices; and

WHEREAS, the City has previously expressed its support of "capping" 1-670 by approving the Focus Kansas City Plan and the Kansas City Downtown Land Use and Development Plan; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous opportunities to seek federal and state funding for the analysis, design, and construction of demonstration projects; community building projects; energy efficient projects; and transportation projects; and

WHEREAS, the South Loop Link Feasibility Study Steering Committee recommendation is to pursue the next phase of environmental analysis and develop a preferred concept; and

WHEREAS, the City Plan Commission considered such support on November 3, 2009 and after all interested persons were given an opportunity to present testimony, the City Plan Commission on November 3, 2009 recommend that the City pursue the next phase of the proposal; and

WHEREAS, the City supports the South Loop Link Feasibility Study and its implementation recommendations and urges City Staff to seek funding with favorable consideration from the City Council; NOW, THEREFORE;

BE IT RESOLVED BYTHE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the Council hereby expresses its support of the South Loop Link Feasibility Study and supports applications for additional project funding. Further that the Mayor is authorized to and letters of support in furtherance of this resolution.

Section 2. That the Council hereby directs the City Staff to consider all technically feasible alignment alternatives in the next study phase.

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