The Forgotten Homes and Independence Plaza neighborhoods east of downtown Kansas City face lingering impacts from historical disinvestment, redlining, urban renewal, and infrastructure barriers like Interstate 70. Home to roughly 5,000 residents, including vibrant immigrant and refugee communities, these neighborhoods face urgent challenges including health disparities, low household incomes, and environmental hazards. In response, a team led by Hoxie Collective supported Kansas City in creating a strategic, community-informed, and data-driven framework. The Forgotten Homes and Independence Plaza Neighborhood Action Plan serves as a blueprint to elevate community-led action, stabilize housing, enhance safety, and foster economic stability while honoring the area’s rich history. The plan is uniquely designed to bridge long-range planning with direct local action.

 

Plan recommendations are organized into four interconnected and mutually supportive strategy areas:

 

Land Use: Focuses on activating vacant parcels, encouraging transit-oriented density, and expanding urban greening to reduce heat, buffer interstate noise, and provide public gathering spaces.

 

Local Economy: Prioritizes supporting small, legacy, and immigrant-owned businesses through pop-up markets, expanded capital access, business resources, and cultural branding.

 

Housing: Focuses on stabilizing existing homes, addressing nuisance properties, expanding repair assistance, and encouraging context-appropriate infill like accessory units and duplexes.

 

Mobility: Addresses high zero-vehicle household rates and safety risks through intersection upgrades, traffic calming, safe routes to school, underpass improvements, and complete street transformations.

 

All actions are synthesized into a step-by-step Implementation Matrix that assigns clear roles to lead neighborhood organizers, supporting public/private partners, realistic timeframes, and targeted funding sources to build capacity and ensure long-term community ownership.

 

Funding for two demonstration projects was integrated into the scope to kickstart implementation and celebrate community agency. Completed in February 2026, the plan is already advancing permanent improvements. The neighborhoods have secured funding for murals, lighting, and cleanup through the City’s arts program, while a tree-planting initiative is progressing with the City and MoDOT. Additionally, a transformation of 9th Street featuring safety and mobility upgrades is scheduled for early 2027.