Five neighborhood improvement projects have been completed and more are underway in the 2019-2024 round of Neighborhood Works improvement project funding.
First launched in 2016 and funded through the 1/4-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax, Neighborhood Works is intended to fund small-scale capital improvements within officially registered neighborhoods. The program gives residents the opportunity to identify projects they believe will offer the greatest benefit to their area including small-scale stormwater drainage improvements, sidewalk and trail connections, public parking and alleyway improvements and updates to parks. Individual projects are limited to $100,000 or less and must take place on City-owned property or right-of-way.
Recently approved projects range from larger-ticket items such as pedestrian safety infrastructure, stormwater drainage and park equipment to smaller requests for community garden improvements and landscaping.
Bissett
The current slate of approved projects represents approximately $600,000-$650,000 in funding.
Hillcrest/Nichols Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility Improvements – $78,000
Sidewalk and intersection improvements including radius improvements at the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Nichols Street, ADA sidewalk replacement on Hillcrest Avenue from Nichols Street to Brower Street and a concrete landing at the bus stop along Nichols Street near L.A. Wise Park.
Multiple sidewalk projects will be included on the same construction contract. The contract is expected to be advertised for bid in mid-March with construction beginning in late spring or summer.
Brentwood Neighborhood
Improvements to Kirkwood Park – $99,000
Installation of new accessible playground equipment at Kirkwood Park (2201 E. Seminole), including rubber surfacing and concrete base. Playground equipment installation is expected this summer with completion anticipated in the fall.
Galloway Village Neighborhood
Galloway Village Neighborhood Intersection Improvements – $0
Project consists of repairing edges of the roadway and intersection at Mentor Avenue and Republic Street where large trucks and busses have caused damage. Public Works Street Operations crews will conduct the repair work and fund through the City’s regular roadway maintenance budget. Project is expected to take place this summer.
Grant Beach
Richard Napieralski Community Garden Improvements – $3,810
Install a freeze-proof yard hydrant within the west end of the garden area and provide new water service. Target for installation is summer.
Greater Parkcrest
Stormwater and Park improvements – $47,259
Project is complete, including tennis court repairs and striping for Pickleball courts. Also included stormwater improvements with new concrete channel, manhole adjustments and grate.
Sanford Park Phase 2 – $52,741
New sidewalk connection from Battlefield Road to Sanford Park, including lighting, new park signage and a bike rack. Project completed.
Mark Twain
Tree planting, landscaping and fence removal – $20,000
Public Works street operations division expects to remove fencing in the coming weeks along City-owned property in the southeast corner of Kansas Expressway and Sunshine Street. Landscaping crews will then install trees and landscaping. Project is estimated for completion by summer.
Midtown
Alleyway Cleanup – $5,000
This project consists of removing overgrowth of vegetation in the alleys located in Midtown. Project expected for completion in early spring.
Silver Springs Park Water Line – $270
Work is complete. Crews installed a freeze-proof hose bibb on the north wall of the Silver Springs Park pavilion.
Rountree
ADA Compliant Sidewalks and Ramps – $85,499
This project will rehabilitate and replace non-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps in the Rountree neighborhood in various locations along Kentwood Avenue, Fairway Avenue, Catalpa Street, Delmar Street and Weller Avenue.
Multiple sidewalk projects will be included on the same construction contract which is expected to be advertised for bid in mid-March. Construction is anticipated to begin in late spring or summer.
Westside
Updates to Tennis and Basketball Courts at Zagonyi Park – $5,872
Tennis court resurfacing is complete, with new striping to serve as pickleball courts. Basketball court repairs and improvements including a new chain link fence is expected for completion by fall 2022.
Woodland Heights
Repair and restoration of Charlie Norr Community Center – $69,000
Work is in progress to repair the community center located at 310 W. Atlantic, including cleaning and replacing brick, tuckpoints, repairing storefront framing, window glazing and door. A temporary security wall is in place with demolition of existing storefront to be improved in progress. Target for completion is summer.
Alley Grading and Pothole Repair – $25,000
Work to conduct trash removal, grading and pothole repair of all alleyways in Woodland Heights is complete.
Neighborhood Advisory Committee
Reserve four speed boards to help reduce speeding on neighborhood streets – $24,000
Speed boards have been purchased and installation complete at 1050 W. Mt. Vernon St., 2416 S. Bennett St., 809 W. Broadmoor St. and 2331 S. Ingram Mill Road. Speed boards are intended to be relocated periodically at NAC’s request in an effort to reduce neighborhood speeding city-wide.
All leftover funds from projects selected in this phase will be carried over and added to the balance available for a second program funding cycle expected to take place in 2023.