The Kansas City Bicycle Master Plan is a comprehensive framework aimed at improving cycling infrastructure and promoting bicycling as a viable and safe mode of transportation across Kansas City.

Key Elements of the Plan:

• Network Expansion: The plan proposes the development of over 135 miles of bikeways, prioritizing connections between neighborhoods, schools, and key activity centers. A "minimum grid" strategy is emphasized to ensure a baseline of connected, safe routes.
• Safety Enhancements: The plan includes "road diets" and protected bikeways on high-stress streets to reduce crashes. Modeling suggests these changes could save up to 14 lives annually and decrease crash-related injuries.
• Environmental and Health Goals: By increasing cycling and reducing car usage, the plan aims to cut carbon emissions by up to 238,000 tons annually, improve air quality, and support healthier lifestyles.
• Economic Benefits: The infrastructure is expected to generate $500 million in local economic benefits by 2050. Investments in cycling infrastructure will also enhance access to jobs and promote equitable mobility options.
• Equity Focus: Special attention is given to areas with low vehicle access and lower life expectancy. This ensures underserved communities benefit from improved transportation options and reduced health disparities.
• Implementation Framework: The plan sets phased goals to achieve equity in distribution across council districts while maintaining focus on demand and existing facilities. Partnerships with organizations like BikeWalkKC are integral to this process.

These initiatives align with Kansas City's broader sustainability, public health, and economic development objectives.

View Master Plan Document

The Catalyst Plan is an initiative of the Marlborough Community Coalition to discover and develop the rich assets of the five neighborhoods of the Marlborough community, and craft an action plan that will transform this potential into a thriving place to grow up, live and work.

A door-to-door interview process led to the understanding of community priorities. The top priorities of Marlborough residents and business owners are the following:

• Increase attention to property maintenance and beautification on private and public properties.
• Build new, sidewalks and curbs connected to transit, provide street maintenance, and repair failing infrastructure.
• Support organized community involvement to build neighborhood pride and capacity.
• Improve healthy food access in the neighborhood, as well as awareness of and connection between current healthy food assets.
• Promote awareness building/education for parents and kids to support healthy choices and skills.
• Increase availability of programmed activities, recreation, and mentorship opportunities, especially for youth.
• Promote homeownership and landlord accountability.
• Address concerns for safety and perception of crime, especially around schools.
• Create new educational opportunities to develop residents’ employment skills and catalyze new businesses.
• Inform a new image of the community as a dynamic, innovative environment that will attract residents, visitors, and new businesses.

View Project Website

The Swope Area Plan, is a comprehensive guide for the development and revitalization of neighborhoods in the southeastern portion of Kansas City, Missouri, particularly the Swope Park area and surrounding neighborhoods. The plan was developed through a community-driven process with input from local residents, stakeholders, and city officials. The goal of the plan is to address a variety of social, economic, and environmental challenges while promoting sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for residents in the area.

Key Highlights and Goals:

• Community and Economic Development:
  • Promote economic revitalization through targeted investments, including support for local businesses, job creation, and affordable housing initiatives.
  • Encourage mixed-use development that incorporates residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
  • Improve infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, and public transit, to enhance accessibility and connectivity within the area.
• Parks and Recreation:
  • Leverage the proximity of Swope Park to create more recreational opportunities for residents.
  • Enhance park amenities and create more green spaces to improve the overall environment and promote healthy living.
• Housing and Neighborhood Stabilization:
  • Focus on improving housing quality, particularly in older neighborhoods, with an emphasis on affordable housing.
  • Encourage homeownership opportunities and rehabilitation of existing properties to prevent further blight and abandonment.
• Transportation and Connectivity:
  • Address transportation needs, particularly pedestrian and bicycle access, as well as improving public transit options.
  • Improve street design and traffic flow to reduce congestion and enhance safety for all users.
• Health and Environmental Sustainability:
• Promote healthier lifestyles through improved access to fresh food, medical services, and recreational facilities.
• Encourage sustainability in urban design, such as energy-efficient buildings, stormwater management, and eco-friendly infrastructure.
• Safety and Public Services:
• Improve public safety through better lighting, more community policing, and active neighborhood engagement.
• Enhance access to public services such as schools, healthcare, and community centers.

The Swope Area Plan serves as a blueprint for guiding future growth and development in the region, aiming to transform the area into a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable community. It is intended to be a living document, with flexibility for adjustments and updates as conditions and needs evolve over time.

View Swope Area Plan Document

The US-71 Transit Study (also known as the US-71 Corridor Study) is a planning initiative undertaken by Kansas City to evaluate and improve transit options along the US-71 corridor, a major north-south route running through the city. The study, which was conducted in partnership with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), focused on enhancing public transit service and improving mobility along this key corridor, particularly to meet the needs of residents and commuters in underserved communities.

Key Objectives and Recommendations:

• Improving Transit Access: The study aimed to enhance transit accessibility along the US-71 corridor, which serves several important neighborhoods and key destinations, including the downtown area, sports and entertainment venues, and major employment centers.
• Introducing Enhanced Transit Service: It recommended introducing faster, more reliable transit options such as bus rapid transit (BRT) or other high-capacity transit solutions to serve the corridor more efficiently.
• Multi-modal Transportation: The study emphasized a multi-modal approach to transportation, encouraging the integration of bus, light rail, and other transit modes along the US-71 corridor to better serve different types of riders.
• Improving Connectivity: Enhancing connectivity between neighborhoods, transit hubs, and key destinations was another focus, with recommendations for more seamless transfers between different transit services.
• Promoting Equity and Accessibility: The study aimed to ensure equitable access to transit, particularly for low-income and transit-dependent communities along the corridor.

The US-71 Transit Study sought to improve transit efficiency, accessibility, and connectivity in a major corridor that serves both residential and commercial areas in Kansas City. Its recommendations aimed to modernize transit options and make them more reliable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of the community.

The Swope-Prospect Connectivity Study is a planning document developed to improve transportation and connectivity within the Swope Park and Prospect Avenue corridors in Kansas City, Missouri. The study focused on enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular mobility, addressing issues of accessibility, safety, and overall connectivity in a historically underserved and transit-dependent area. It was part of a broader effort to support revitalization in the neighborhoods surrounding Swope Park and along the Prospect Avenue corridor.

Key Objectives and Findings:

• Improved Mobility and Accessibility:
  • The study aimed to create a more connected transportation network that better serves all modes of transportation—walking, biking, driving, and public transit.
  • It highlighted the need for safer pedestrian routes, especially along high-traffic corridors like Prospect Avenue, which serves as a major arterial road in the area.
  • The study recommended enhancing connectivity to key destinations, such as Swope Park, the Kansas City Zoo, Starlight Theatre, and nearby residential and commercial areas.
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure:
  • A primary focus was improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to make it safer and more comfortable to navigate the area without a car.
  • Recommendations included the development of dedicated bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and more pedestrian crossings, particularly at high-traffic or dangerous intersections.
  • A goal was to support active transportation and reduce dependence on cars, in line with the city's broader sustainability and equity goals.
• Safety Improvements:
  • The study identified several high-crash locations and proposed safety improvements, such as better lighting, improved crosswalks, and traffic-calming measures.
  • It also recommended redesigning intersections to reduce congestion and make them safer for all users, especially vulnerable populations like seniors and children.
• Public Transit and Transit-Oriented Development:
  • Enhancing public transit service along the Prospect Avenue corridor was another key recommendation, including increasing the frequency of bus routes and improving bus stops and shelters.
  • The study also explored the possibility of transit-oriented development (TOD) along key areas near transit lines, which would encourage mixed-use development and support local businesses.
• Community Engagement and Equity:
  • The study emphasized the importance of community engagement throughout the planning process, ensuring that the voices of residents in the Swope-Prospect area were heard.
  • It also highlighted a commitment to promoting equity in transportation, ensuring that improvements benefit all residents, particularly those in historically marginalized neighborhoods.
• Future Implementation:
  • The study presented a phased approach to implementation, prioritizing immediate safety improvements and long-term infrastructure projects.
  • It also recommended further studies to assess potential funding sources and refine specific proposals as part of Kansas City's overall transportation and planning strategies.
• Short-Term Action Plans:
  • Improve Intersection Safety on Highway 71
  • Mobility Hub and Bikeshare Expansion
  • Address Key Sidewalk Gaps To Access Prospect Max
  • Wayfinding and Placemaking
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridges
• Long-Term Vision:
  • Restitching the Grid
  • Bike Network Connectivity
  • Local Street Improvements (Sidewalks)
  • Green Infrastructure

The Swope-Prospect Connectivity Study sought to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and accessible transportation network for the communities along the Prospect Avenue corridor. It aimed to improve quality of life, reduce transportation barriers, and support economic growth by improving mobility options for residents and visitors alike. By addressing issues such as safety, pedestrian infrastructure, and transit services, the study sought to promote equitable access to key amenities and foster better connectivity across the area

View Existing Conditions Report

View Connectivity Study

The Kansas City Smart Moves 3.0 plan is a comprehensive 20-year strategy designed to enhance transit and mobility across the Kansas City region. Led by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), it aims to improve access to jobs, increase transit efficiency, and foster sustainable urban development.

Key Components of the Plan:

• Improved Transit Accessibility: The plan targets doubling the number of jobs accessible via public transit within 90 minutes, addressing a critical gap identified in earlier studies.
• Mobility Hubs: Creation of strategically located hubs to integrate various transit modes, including buses, streetcars, bikes, and ride-sharing services.
• "Fast and Frequent" Routes: Establishment of high-frequency bus services (every 15 minutes) as the backbone of the transit network, supplemented by supporting and express routes.
• Service Expansion: Proposals include 20 new bus routes, extended service hours, and improved transit frequencies across the region.
• Transit-Oriented Development: Aligning land use and transit planning to encourage compact, walkable neighborhoods and sustainable growth.
• Use of Emerging Technologies: Incorporating innovations such as ridesharing and micro-mobility solutions to enhance connectivity.

The plan builds on previous iterations of Smart Moves, providing a robust framework for a more connected, accessible, and equitable transportation system.

View Project Website

The Kansas City Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan (CPRP), adopted in 2022, sets a bold vision for the city to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The plan addresses climate change and environmental justice through a range of strategies, targeting six sectors: buildings, energy, transportation, natural systems, waste, and public engagement.

Key Highlights of the Plan:

• Carbon Neutrality Goals:
  • Rapid decarbonization of buildings, including electrifying city-owned facilities.
  • Advocating for the closure of Evergy’s coal plants, with the Hawthorn plant targeted for retirement by 2025 and all coal facilities by 2030.
• Environmental Justice:
  • Establishing an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.
  • Prioritizing historically marginalized and vulnerable communities to address disproportionate climate impacts.
• Short- and Long-Term Actions:
  • Immediate implementation plans to address energy reliability, improve air quality, and reduce utility costs.
  • Strengthening partnerships to transition to clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Community Collaboration:
  • Development of the plan involved over two years of input from residents, advocacy groups, and local organizations.
  • Continued emphasis on public health, environmental justice, and equitable workforce development in climate solutions.

This plan reflects Kansas City’s commitment to sustainability and equity in addressing climate change challenges, with significant engagement from local communities and organizations. Implementation efforts focus on both short-term actions and long-term resilience building to support the city’s environmental and economic goals.

View Plan Document

Marlborough Community Land Trust was founded by the Marlborough Community Coalition in 2019 after a decade of work to create more equitable housing conditions in the area. MCLT's mission is to acquire and develop real estate in the Marlborough neighborhood to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing. MCLT uses the community land trust model of home ownerhsip and aims to meet the needs of residents least served by the prevailing market.

MCLT is located in the Marlborough neighborhood of South Kansas City, MO.

LISC provided $481,315 in financing to support predevelopment and critical construction repairs for the redevelopment of Marlborough School which has been vacant since 2007. MCLT has conducted neighborhood visioning and feedback sessions to determine the future uses of the building. Potential tenants include grocers, caterers, laborers, nonprofits, and artists. Later phases of the project will build 30 housing units on currently vacant land adjacent to the school building.

View Project Website

The RideKC Next Comprehensive Transit Service Analysis focuses on modernizing and streamlining Kansas City's public transit network to better serve its communities.

Key Aspects of the Plan:

• Enhanced Frequency and Accessibility: The redesign prioritizes a "frequent grid" structure, providing more frequent service on key routes. Frequent routes aim to operate every 15 minutes during peak times on weekdays and Saturdays, with improved weekend service levels to meet growing demand.
• Simplified Network Design: By reducing redundancies and focusing on core transit corridors, the plan makes the system easier to navigate while increasing efficiency. Routes are structured to connect key destinations such as employment hubs, healthcare facilities, and education centers.
• Zero-Fare Transit: RideKC continues to operate as a zero-fare system, which was introduced to reduce financial barriers for riders. This approach supports equitable access, particularly benefiting low-income households and individuals reliant on public transit.
• Increased Coverage and Flexible Services: The plan extends service coverage and introduces app-based flexible transit options (RideKC Flex) to serve low-density areas, improving access for suburban and rural riders.
• Community-Driven Planning: Input from extensive public engagement informed the restructuring, emphasizing community needs for connectivity, equity, and ease of use.

This transformation reflects a commitment to aligning public transit with Kansas City's evolving urban landscape while addressing modern mobility challenges.

The Kansas City ProspectUS plan is a community-driven initiative aimed at fostering equitable and transit-oriented development (TOD) along the Prospect MAX transit corridor. This project emphasizes creating a sustainable and inclusive environment that improves mobility, access to resources, and investment in underserved neighborhoods.

Key Aspects of the Plan:

• Transit-Oriented Development: Encouraging walkable, mixed-use developments that prioritize access to public transit, equity, and environmental sustainability.
• Community Empowerment: Engaging local residents in decision-making processes to shape the future of their neighborhoods while addressing historical inequities.
• Infrastructure Investment: Utilizing federal grants to enhance public transit infrastructure and create a foundation for economic development along Prospect Avenue.
• Incremental Neighborhood Redevelopment: Supporting housing diversity, entrepreneurial opportunities, and mixed-income communities to ensure long-term growth without displacing existing residents.

The project was initiated in 2022 with extensive community engagement and continued through 2023. It is funded in part by a Federal Transit Administration grant and implemented by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) in partnership with the City of Kansas City.

View Development Implementation Plan Document

The KC Spirit Playbook is Kansas City, Missouri's comprehensive citywide planning framework designed to guide future development, policy-making, and resource allocation. Adopted in April 2023, the Playbook represents an innovative and inclusive approach, driven by extensive community engagement and a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Key Features of the Plan:

• Equity-Driven Vision: The Playbook emphasizes addressing disparities in housing, transportation, infrastructure, and economic opportunity across all neighborhoods to uplift all Kansas Citians.
• Public Engagement: The planning process involved diverse stakeholders through virtual and in-person forums, targeted surveys, student participation, and an online engagement platform. The Playbook relied heavily on feedback to prioritize issues such as affordable housing, transit access, and environmental sustainability.
• Big Ideas and Goals:
  • Enhance mobility and transportation with a focus on safety and accessibility.
  • Advance affordable housing initiatives and sustainable growth.
  • Promote economic development that benefits all communities.
  • Improve environmental resilience and urban design standards.
• Technology Integration: The Playbook includes a web-based Implementation Dashboard, making progress transparent and allowing residents to track ongoing projects and goals.
• Implementation Strategy: The plan outlines clear steps and measures to align city policies with its vision while ensuring accountability through periodic updates and community involvement.
• Goals:
  • Connected City: Increase mobility options and create a more connected city.
  • Diversity and Opportunity: Ensure the built environment strives to eliminate disparities, embrace diversity, and create economic opportunity.
  • Environment for People of All Ages: Create a better environment that will attract and retain young people and allow residents to age-in-place.
  • Healthy Environment: A healthy environment is critical to a healthy city. Natural systems clean the city’s water and air, preserve important ecological functions, manage stormwater, and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
  • History, Arts, and Culture: Preserve and celebrate our community character, history, arts, and culture.
  • Parks and Open Spaces: Protect and expand our system of parks, boulevards, and open spaces.
  • Smart City: Create a smart city through innovation and new technology.
  • Strong and Accessible Neighborhoods: Create strong and desirable neighborhoods and ensure housing choice and affordability.
  • Sustainable and Equitable Growth: Target physical investments strategically and ensure that growth and revitalization are sustainable and equitable.
  • Well-Designed City: Promote high-quality design in public investments and development.
• Objectives:
  • Access to Jobs
  • Business Attraction and Retention
  • City Attractions
  • Complete Communities
  • Community Development and Revitalization
  • Connected City
  • Displacement Mitigation
  • Development Patterns
  • Environmental Health and Resiliency
  • Housing Affordability and Diversity
  • Historic Preservation
  • Movement of Goods
  • Mobility
  • Public Health
  • Parking and Curb Management
  • Parks and Open Spaces
  • Public Spaces
  • Public Transit
  • Quality Development
  • Smart City Technology & Trends
  • Vision Zero

View Comprehensive Plan Document

The Kansas City Vision Zero Action Plan outlines strategies to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries on city streets by 2030. The plan integrates systemic safety analyses, public engagement, and equity considerations to identify and address high-risk areas, focusing especially on disadvantaged communities disproportionately affected by traffic crashes.

Key Components of the Plan:

• High-Injury Network (HIN): Based on crash data, the plan prioritizes roadways and intersections with the highest occurrences of fatal and serious crashes.
• Systemic Safety Analysis: This method evaluates risk factors like road design, traffic volume, and speed limits to identify features associated with high crash rates, supplementing historical crash data.
• Equity Focus: Disadvantaged areas and urban roadways, which see higher crash rates, are emphasized for safety interventions.
• Safety Countermeasures:
  • Traffic calming measures in neighborhoods.
  • Leading pedestrian intervals at intersections.
  • Protected bike lanes.
  • Other quick-build safety projects to reduce immediate risks.
• Public Involvement: Community input shaped the plan’s focus areas and interventions.

The implementation approach includes using crash and systemic analysis results to prioritize funding and interventions, ensuring an equitable and efficient allocation of resources. The ultimate goal is to create a safe transportation network for all users, reducing disparities and promoting mobility equity across Kansas City.

View Action Plan Document

The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners adopted the master plan for Marlborough Park on October 8, 2024.

The 18-acre Marlborough Park is the largest of four parks and numerous green spaces in Marlborough neighborhoods, but is the least used by the residents. The KCMO Parks and Recreation Department added this park to its citywide parks system in 1981. Originally, Marlborough Park was 12.25 acres and was heavily wooded. A conceptual plan for the park was drawn with resident input in 1986 including a playground, trail, sled run and five entry points. The last 5.75 acres were added in 1993. Over the last 10 years the Marlborough Community Coalition has applied for PIAC funds to improve the park with a parking lot, picnic shelter, and grill as well as the funding for this Improvement Plan. The park is a uniquely immersive natural space in the park system, and remains heavily wooded, with three stream channels running through it, and steep topography. This is the first improvement plan to assess environmental stabilization and conservation priorities for the park as well as operation and maintenance strategies, and amenity improvements desired by the community. The KCMO Parks Department worked closely with the Marlborough Community Coalition and Marlborough East Neighborhood to create a planning process to meet all three organizations’ goals:

• Create a coordinated, holistic, community-guided strategic capital improvement plan for the whole park
• Create a Connectivity Plan to improve access, safety, and programs between neighborhoods and amenities within the park
• Create an Operations and Maintenance Plan for improving capacity and consistency for parks maintenance
• Create a Conservation plan for improving health and resilience of natural resources in the park

View Plan Document

View Marborough United Website

Bi-Monthy Community Meeting

KCMO Violence Prevention