The North Loop in Kansas City, Missouri is between the Downtown area and River Market. The Downtown Loop was built in the early 50’s with a vision of creating fast transportation around the city. In doing so, River Market, Columbus Park, and Downtown were separated and no longer safe for pedestrian and bike accessibility. The vision for the highway quickly turned into a safety hazard and an obstacle for pedestrianism.

My final proposal for the redevelopment of the North Loop is to build onto the existing infrastructure and pedestrianize most of the area that is currently taken up by the highway. Instead of demolishing the highway in its entirety, I will be proposing that the highway transitions into a transit hub with pedestrian walkways and bike paths on either side. See Figure I and II. The hilly green space would transition into park space as well as be developed into housing and mixed-use commercial development. I have reconnected Independence Avenue to be used as an arterial street, therefore allowing for two pedestrian/bike bridges, Wyandotte Street and Walnut Street, to be used as a safe connector for residents of the area. See Figure III. In order for the pedestrianized area to be activated during the year, my proposal implements canopies and lighting over the walkways, as well as heated benches for the Winter months.

Figure I.

Figure II.

Figure III.

                  Development in the transit hub area would include about 500 units of housing. To combat prices and allow for accessible housing, I am proposing a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy. This policy ensures that any new development must include a portion of permanently income-restricted affordable housing units. The policy would apply directly to development on either side of the North Loop Corridor. All development would be accessible from both sides of the building at differing heights, the pedestrian walkway as well as Independence Avenue. Residential buildings would be no more than 4-stories and most likely implemented as row houses to buy and/or rent. Mixed-use residential and commercial development would be no more than 4-stories and provide goods and services as well as apartments and condos to buy and/or rent. See Figure IV.

Figure IV.

The North and South side of the North Loop are in Community Improvement Districts; however, the loop itself is not part of this tool. My proposal includes extending the Community Improvement Districts to cover each side of the North Loop; therefore, development could be partially funded by sales tax revenue. For developers to break ground, they would need to apply for a Request for Proposal. This ensures the community is on board with the project and allows for city and federal funding grants or loans to be awarded for development. Phasing would include three phases: reconnecting the arterial streets, redevelopment of I-70 and I-35 into a transit hub and pedestrian walkway, and finally, the development of residential and commercial space. See Figure V. The total costs of the redevelopment of the North Loop would be  ~$350 million. This cost is based on Public-Private-Partnerships with the city, demolition costs, building material, and land value. To keep costs minimal, my proposal uses as much of the existing infrastructure as possible.

Figure V.

                  In conclusion, the Redevelopment of the North Loop into a transit hub is feasible in many ways. A pedestrianized version of a transit hub allows for connectivity among neighborhoods, accessibility, and an active space that will last generations. Although costly, the land is valuable and desirable for developers. The implementation of the Community Improvement District, Request for Proposal, Public-Private-Partnership, and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, all ensure that the residents are not enduring any extra cost burden. The space has large potential and will continue to expand the economic success through the city.