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Kansas City Council Backs Plan To Reduce Blight On Troost

Caroline Kull
/
KCUR

  The Kansas City Council has endorsed a plan to make part of Troost Avenue more neighborhood friendly.

The plan, which received unanimous approval Thursday, lays out a set of design standards for commercial and residential development along the corridor — from 22nd Street to Brush Creek Boulevard.

"It's a good plan, but a great process," Councilman Jim Glover said.

The standards come as neighborhood residents and business owners along Troost, who make up the Troost Neighborhood Coalition, are trying to increase population density as a way to attract more businesses.

Under the plan, all new homes and businesses must be at least two stories tall. The plan lays out other requirements tied to facades, entry ways, building materials and windows to help promote attractive storefronts along the avenue and to improve the pedestrian experience. 

Residents say these requirements are necessary first steps to revitalizing neighborhoods along the corridor.

"We are just elated.  It hasn't really sunk in yet," says Matt Nugent, an architect at Hufft Projects and one of the leaders of the Troost Coalition.

"Troost has been a dividing line for so long, so it's astonishing to see so many different people come together to support a plan like this."

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