This is just a reminder about our SKCA meeting at 6 p.m. Monday February 11 in the front building of South Patrol, 9701 Marion Park Dr., and to share the great news that we will have complimentary BBQ -- pitmaster Luther Saulsberry’s signature burnt ends and hickory smoked beans from Luther’s BBQ, 12921 State Line Rd., which features award-winning Kansas City style BBQ.
Also, please look at the additional upcoming events that we have added below since our original notice.
John Sharp
President
Jason Klumb representing Bannister Transformation & Development (BT&D), the private firm that now owns the site and plans to redevelop it, will bring us the latest news on this major redevelopment project.
Although much of the work has been partially hidden from public view behind the flood wall, over half of the square footage of the former federal complex now has been demolished, and the project is ahead of schedule.
BT&D plans to redevelop the great majority of the site as an industrial park for light manufacturing and warehouse use. Company officials have said retail development on the east side of Troost outside the flood wall also is possible.
Steve Potter, director & CEO of the Mid-Continent Public Library, will discuss MCPL’s $2 million project that is now underway to renovate space formerly used as a bowling alley in the Red Bridge Shopping Center to serve as the new Red Bridge Branch Library.
The new branch at 453B East Red Bridge Rd. next to Euston Hardware will contain 14,352 square feet and will be over 2,300 square feet larger than the current branch at 11140 Locust on the center grounds.
It will include a large community room, collaboration spaces, a children’s area, updated public computers, improved Wi-Fi coverage, outdoor seating and automatic entry doors.
The new branch is expected to open in June or July, and the current branch will remain open until then, but will have to close for a short period as books, equipment and supplies are moved to the new facility.
Potter also will discuss plans to renovate the Blue Ridge Branch Library and other new initiatives and expanded services of MCPL.
Merrell Bennekin (left) and Rick Chambers, co-chairs of Citizens for Center, will bring us the latest news on what specific school improvement projects will be funded by the no tax increase $48 million bond issue for the Center School District that will be on the April 2 ballot.
School district officials have explained more space is needed at some of its schools to accommodate significant enrollment growth at its four elementary schools and middle school. They also have stressed that the district’s aging buildings need energy conservation improvements, other upgrades and major repairs, as well as security improvements at all of the schools.
The largest single project to be funded by the bonds will be the replacement of the undersized Indian Creek Elementary School with a new building on the site that can accommodate enrollment growth. New classrooms will be added on the east side of Red Bridge Elementary School to eliminate the need to continue to use mobile trailers at the school for classroom space.
More information also will be provided at the meeting about the district’s plans to possibly use bond financing to acquire and renovate a building for its pre-kindergarten program that would allow it to offer full-day pre-K services to all four-year-olds in the district.
The bond issue will require approval by four-sevenths (57.1%) of those voting to pass.
Penny Rice, founder & director of Empowerment Organization for Change, a non-profit transitional living program in the Hickman Mills area for women recovering from alcohol and other drugs, will explain its services and ways individuals and organizations in the community can assist.
Upcoming events
Mayoral Candidate Forum on March 4th
With over 220 Associations, Coalitions, etc., Kansas City is a “City of Neighbors” and there is important/essential information to field at the City, County, State and sometimes Federal levels. “A rising tide lifts all boats...” and the Council endeavors to gather us together to be that tide that lifts our fellow neighbors and neighborhoods.
On March 4th, 2019 the Council of Neighborhood Leaders will host a Mayoral Candidates Forum at the Mohart Center at 3200 Wayne Street KCMO from 6:30-8:45pm.
The focus for this forum is “Neighborhoods and the Future of Kansas City”.
Please pass this on to those in your associations/organizations. Contact us with questions at the email listed below.
Respectfully,
Bill Carey
Chairperson-Council of Neighborhood Leaders
CouncilofNeighborhoodLeaders@gmail.com
The reward has been increased to $15,000!
The SKCA meets each month on the second Monday at 6:00 pm at the South Patrol Police Station unless otherwise noted in email notices.
Next SKCA General Meeting:
SKCA General Meeting on Monday, March 11th at 6:00 pm at South Patrol Station.
If you have events for our community calendar, please share for display on our SKCA website calendar and social media channels.
"A coalition of neighborhood organizations, civic, educational and faith institutions, nonprofits and business interests dedicated to a unified vision for South Kansas City."
