City of Kansas City, Missouri, leaders gathered with community organizations and Historic Northeast residents and businesses today to announce a joint effort to revitalize Kansas City’s Historic Northeast district.
Called Invest Northeast, this redevelopment initiative offers four public-facing programs, as well as targeted services that will promote economic growth and property beautification. The announcement took place outside Lykins Square Park and concluded with the demolition of a nearby dangerous building known for drug use, prostitution and gang-related activity.
“Invest Northeast is a great example of how our City can work with community partners to advance improvements for neighborhoods and businesses,” said Councilman Scott Wagner, who coordinated the City’s Invest Northeast efforts. “The Historic Northeast is a great place to live, work and play, and we are supporting its growth in all three areas through this program.”
Invest Northeast is coordinated by the grassroots coalition Northeast Alliance Together (NEAT), with support from the City and local stakeholders. “NEAT has been an instrumental catalyst for change in the Historic Northeast, rallying businesses and residents to work together to improve the community,” Councilman Wagner said. “The City recognized this collaboration and wanted to help continue the Historic Northeast’s momentum.”
The City leveraged $250,000 in one-time revenues from a previous Historic Northeast redevelopment project to fund this new initiative. “It was a good opportunity to reinvest money already in the community,” Councilman Wagner said.
The City then collaborated with NEAT and the Mattie Rhodes Center to create tools and initiatives that support Historic Northeast businesses and residents.
“It has been tremendously important to have the City, and Councilman Wagner in particular, as the lead partner to get Invest Northeast off the ground,” said Leslie Caplan, president of NEAT. “The residents, nonprofits and businesses that comprise NEAT are extremely appreciative of the City’s dedication to this initiative.”
Invest Northeast offers the following programs:
– The Northeast Business Growth Initiative provides Historic Northeast property owners with scholarships for business-related classes through the University of Missouri – Kansas City’s Innovation Center.
– The Property Tax Abatement Program offers tax relief for home and business owners investing in their property. The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City administers this program.
– The Northeast Microloan Program provides business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with loans to support their businesses. Justine Petersen administers this program.
– The Special Northeast Area Targeted Minor Home Repair Program assists eligible homeowners with small home repairs, including new roofing, windows or exterior paint. The City’s Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department coordinates this program.
The initiative also includes targeted dangerous building demolitions, a new community logo and website, and way-finding signage. Visit the website at www.hnekc.com. Northeast News and the City Manager’s Office provided Invest Northeast editorial and design support.
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Source: City of Kansas City, Missouri