The “East Brookside” redevelopment plan is rolling forward.
The Kansas City Council Planning Zoning and Economic Development Corporation approved basic redevelopment plans for the area along 63rd Street from Oak to Troost Avenue on Wednesday.
The plan already had the endorsement of the Planned Industrial Expansion Authority, and is expected to require few developer incentives.
Developer Butch Rigby told the committee the 63rd Street corridor is a key to revitalizing Troost and the Landing Shopping Center area.
“This is a very important corridor,” Rigby said. “We all want to see Troost Avenue vibrant and strong, but until our connections are there — until the people both east of Troost and west of Troost feel great about shopping on there — we're not going to be able to go and do spot renovations on Troost.”
The developer believes once it is revitalized the Troost Corridor — long an ethnic and economic dividing line in Kansas City — has the potential to be a stronger small business environment than the now booming Crossroads Arts District.
Rigby hopes to maximize renovation and minimize demolition and usage of public domain. He says he already has tenants lined up for some of the renewed buildings.
Steve Bell is afternoon news anchor and business news reporter for KCUR. He may be reached at 816-235-5173 or at steveb@kcur.org.
