Source: Taylor Wilmore/Startland News

Kansas City is advancing a major investment strategy to strengthen its urban core, committing $19 million toward 15 transformative projects across the historically underinvested 3rd and 5th Council Districts. The initiative is designed to expand affordable housing, stimulate small business growth, and preserve cultural assets that define the city’s identity.

Major Funded Projects

Parade Park Homes Redevelopment — $5 million
A large-scale redevelopment introducing 480 mixed-income housing units and 10,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, positioned to anchor future growth.

BT Washington Wheatley Townhomes — $1.8 million
Construction of 15 attainable townhomes that blend seamlessly with the surrounding historic neighborhood.

21 Vine Live + Work — $850,000
Development of five modern live/work townhomes, supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners who need combined residential and commercial space.

Hope Center Housing — $1.9 million
Creation of 21 energy-efficient, affordable homes, addressing growing demand for attainable housing on the East Side.

Historic Boone Theater — $1.37 million
Restoration of this iconic cultural landmark, preserving its legacy as a cornerstone of Kansas City jazz and community history.

Satchel Paige’s House — $1 million
Preservation of the legendary pitcher’s former home, transforming it into a museum and community space that celebrates local Black history.

Jazzonian Hotel & Event Space — $1 million
Redevelopment of the historic Workhouse Castle into an 88-room boutique hotel and cultural destination, reclaiming an iconic structure for community benefit.

Additional funded initiatives address affordable housing production, neighborhood-centered redevelopment, adult day services, small-scale industrial facilities, and hotel development along key transit corridors.

City officials estimate these projects will generate 1,426 construction jobs and 379 permanent positions, while advancing goals related to housing affordability, blight remediation, and long-term neighborhood stabilization.

“This funding is not just about buildings — it’s about people, families, and neighborhoods,”
— Melissa Patterson Hazley, Kansas City Councilmember, 3rd District

The investment is administered by the Central City Economic Development (CCED) Sales Tax Board, powered by a voter-approved ⅛-cent sales tax dedicated to catalytic development in the 3rd and 5th Districts. Since 2017, CCED has supported more than 60 projects, reinforcing Kansas City's commitment to equitable and inclusive growth.

“With these 15 projects, we’re creating real pathways to mobility and improving quality of life in the central city.”
— Mathew Oates, CCED Board Member

Huge Development a “Game Changer” for Historic Northeast

Kansas City’s Historic Northeast is preparing for one of the most significant transformations in its history—an ambitious $180 million redevelopment spanning 22 acres at Hardesty and Independence Avenues. This landmark investment aims to revitalize a long-neglected area, bringing new housing, business opportunities, and community amenities to one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.

Project Overview

The centerpiece of the development is a 12-story residential tower with 395 units, more than 80% reserved as affordable housing for families earning 30–80% of the area median income. Complementing the housing is a 29,000 sq. ft. public market—about half the size of a football field—featuring 18 vendor spaces that will support local entrepreneurs.

The full redevelopment vision also includes:

• A business incubator

• Coworking offices

• A community gym

• A child care center

• A commissary kitchen for food wholesalers

• Sustainability features including solar panels and geothermal wells

Developers Nomad Develops and Arnold Development Group have spent years preparing the mostly dormant site. As CEO Carmen Chopp noted, community members frequently asked if the project was truly moving forward:

“Everybody’s like, is it happening? … [Yes], this is happening.”

Community-Centered Planning

A defining feature of the project is its deep engagement with local residents. Developers worked closely with neighborhood organizations to design a plan that stabilizes the community without displacing existing families—a critical concern in long-disinvested urban areas.

Local historian Michael Bushnell, owner of Northeast News, described the development as a “game changer”, emphasizing its potential to reverse decades of systemic disinvestment shaped by redlining, white flight, and declining public school quality. The project, he noted, marks a pivotal moment for restoring opportunity in the Historic Northeast.

Economic + Social Impact

More than a construction effort, the redevelopment acts as a catalyst for economic revitalization. The affordable housing component will help retain residents, while the public market and business incubator create platforms for small business growth and entrepreneurship.

By building spaces for events, festivals, and everyday gatherings, the project strengthens community cohesion and fosters a more vibrant neighborhood identity.

Part of a Broader Development Wave

The Historic Northeast redevelopment aligns with Kansas City's broader investment momentum. Recent city-backed efforts include:

• $19 million for 15 projects east of Troost focused on mixed-income housing, historic preservation, and small business expansion—such as the Boone Theater and Satchel Paige House restorations.

• Major regional developments like the Margaritaville resort (KCK), the Bluhawk sports complex (Overland Park), and new multi-family housing along the KC Streetcar line.

• Small business support initiatives, including the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Program, which eliminated outdoor dining permit fees and awarded $300,000 in grants to 30 local restaurants.

Collectively, these investments represent a coordinated effort to energize neighborhoods, enhance economic mobility, and create inclusive public spaces across the metro area.

Looking Ahead

The Historic Northeast public market is expected to open in 2027, and developers are currently seeking tenants interested in joining the new district. With its blend of affordable housing, business incubation, and community amenities, the project stands as one of the most significant private investments on Kansas City’s East Side in decades.

As Chopp summarized:

“You’re stabilizing a community is what it boils down to.”

The redevelopment signals a new era for the Historic Northeast—one rooted in inclusivity, opportunity, and long-awaited revitalization.