COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR ORDINANCE NO. 090293
Authorizing the Director of the
City Development Department to enter into a $175,000.00 contract with Collins
Noteis and Associates for the Black Heritage Economic Development Plan for an
area generally bounded by 29th Street on the south, 9th Street on the north,
Prospect Avenue on the east and Troost Avenue on the west.
WHEREAS,
by Resolution No. 071090 passed on October 11, 2007, the Council recognized the area from Troost Avenue to
Prospect Avenue and E. 9th Street to E. 29th Street as Kansas Citys African
American Heritage Area; and
WHEREAS, by
Resolution No. 080517 passed on May 22, 2008, the Council expressed
its support for the establishment of an urban renewal plan for this area and
the recognition of the Black Heritage District as a duty free zone in
accordance with Senate Bill 1012 and House Bill 1957 from the just-concluded
session of the Missouri General Assembly, expressed its support for approval of
the concept of a Duty Free Zone for the Black Heritage District from the 95th
Missouri General Assembly in 2009, stated its intention to designate only one
such area, and instructed the City Manager to work cooperatively with the Intra
Urban Council to create a master focus plan for the designated area; and
WHEREAS, sixty years
of decline, disinvestment and blight have led to this 20 block long urban area
becoming one of the most economically distressed areas in the City; and
WHEREAS, this two
square mile section of the City represents only 0.6 percent of the Citys
geographic land base and 1.5 percent of the citys population; and
WHEREAS, this area
represents one of the highest poverty rates, lowest median housing value rates,
highest foreclosure rates, and highest unemployment rates in the City; and
WHEREAS, the Black
Heritage District Economic Development Plan will result in an economic analysis
and general development strategy for the District which will:
Identify development projects within the District and provide
strategies to insure implementation;
Create strategies for future investment and economic development
in the District.
Identify future development opportunities, new destinations, and
connections (physical and programmatic) between the 18th & Vine Jazz
District, the Crossroads and Downtown.
Define and position the area to capture the attributes of the
unique identity of the Black Heritage District, including the cultural hubs at 12th Street and 18th & Vine.
Build consensus among various entities and stakeholders with an
interest in a vibrant District in order to speak with one voice on the
priorities for the District.
Promote collaboration among the stakeholders and community
members to enhance the collective capacity to implement this Plan.
Analyze and bring forward any existing relevant plans in the
District;
Follow the associated recommendations within the Greater Downtown
Area Plan (in progress).
Identify opportunities for small business development, expansion
and sustainability as a primary vehicle for driving the economic stability of
the area;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED
BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That
the Director of City Development Department is hereby authorized to execute a
contract for Project No. 08036, Black Heritage Economic Development Plan, for
an area generally bounded by 29th Street on the south, 9th Street on the north,
Prospect Avenue on the east and Troost Avenue on the west with Collins Noteis
and Associates. A copy of the contract is on file in the office of the City
Clerk.
Section 2. That the Director of City
Development Department is hereby authorized to expend $175,000.00 heretofore
appropriated to Account No. 09-2540-642310-B for work to be performed under the
aforesaid contract.
_____________________________________________
I hereby certify
that there is a balance, otherwise unencumbered, to the credit of the
appropriation to which the foregoing expenditure is to be charged, and a cash
balance, otherwise unencumbered, in the treasury, to the credit of the fund
from which payment is to be made, each sufficient to meet the obligation hereby
incurred.
___________________________________
Jeffrey
A. Yates
Director
of Finance
Approved
as to form and legality:
___________________________________
M.
Margaret Sheahan Moran
Assistant City Attorney