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G1. TIP Number: |
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G2. State: |
Kansas
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G3. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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No
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G4 Project contact: |
Sarah White, P.E.
Stormwater Program Engineer
Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK
701 N. 7th St, Kansas City, KS 66101
913-573-5724 (direct); 913-553-0794 (cell)
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G5 Purpose and need:
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The UG identified the need for a multimodal network that balances the needs of motorists, transit, pedestrians and cyclists. Trail systems encourage healthy communities by expanding active transportation options, improving air quality and creating a space where users can engage in exercise. Wyandotte County is identified as an Air Quality Maintenance Area and this project provides an alternative transportation choice to “shift” travel to zero-emission modes. In addition, shade trees will be added in strategic locations to reduce the heat island effect. The 2020 County Health Rankings ranked Wyandotte county 99th out of the 104 ranked counties in KS. The Wyandotte County obesity rate is 40%, well above the state average of 33%. This project will provide a transportation option that will contribute to a healthy and vibrant community. Surrounding properties will gain value and drive future growth. Users will be able to connect to regional amenities, neighborhoods, and businesses.
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G6. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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Central Avenue Viaduct Bridge, Kansas City, KS
39° 65.82"N, 94°3658.13"W
39° 611.76"N, 94°3647.46"
0.25000
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G7 Functional Classification:
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Not Applicable
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G8 Connected KC 2050 Decade?
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2020
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G9 Muli-Agency Plan?
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No
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G10 Included in a CIP?
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Yes
As part of the “Levee Trails Betterments” project, the trail components of the project are included in the Capital Maintenance & Improvement Plan (CMIP), the UG’s equivalent to the CIP.
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G11 Planning stage:
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Preliminary Plan
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G12 Reviewed by state DOT?
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Under Review
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G13 Right-of-Way acquisition: |
In process
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G14 ROW by local public agency process manual?
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Yes
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G15 Other unique local goals and objectives?
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Yes
The project promotes the Urban Revitalization policy recommendation outlined in the UG’s City-Wide Master Policy Plan by revitalizing distressed neighborhoods. This will be accomplished by providing expanded bike and pedestrian connections to Central Avenue, a priority corridor in need of revitalization and restoration that was identified in the plan. Expanding connections to this priority corridor will help promote its revitalization and reinvestment.
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G16 Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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The project will serve residents of both Wyandotte County, KS and Jackson County, MO. Both counties experience among the highest percentages in the region of minority populations, people with disabilities, low-income persons, and zero-car households.
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G17 Relevant Public Engagement:
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In January of 2020, an open house charette was held in Kansas City, KS which gathered public input on desired trail surfaces, amenities, and trailhead locations. The meeting was highly attended and feedback received revealed broad support for the project and its components. To ensure that adjacent neighborhood residents and disadvantaged populations were notified of the open house, the project team worked with neighborhood leaders, local newsletters, and contacts with relationships already in place.
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G18 Planned Public Engagement:
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The KC Levees Project will include many upcoming and ongoing public engagement events, all of which will include opportunities to provide feedback on the overall levee trail vision, network, and amenities. Events include quarterly stakeholder meetings beginning in fall Q3 2020. Invitees include legislative representatives, representatives of transportation disadvantaged populations, adjacent property owners, and non-profit organizations. Additional outreach will be focused on the trails, with emphasis on their impact on nearby neighborhoods, history and heritage markers, wayfinding, and other cultural impacts and amenities.
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G19 Sustainable Places Criteria:
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Access to Healthy Foods---Active Transportation/Living-------Compact, Walkable Centers---
Complete Street Design---------------
----Green Infrastructure-----------
----Natural Resources Protection-------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
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----Tree Preservation-
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G19.1 Describe PSP relationship:
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Access to Healthy Foods: Reduces transp. barriers in access to healthy foods & connects the area with a high percentage of food-insecure households (Wyandotte Co. Health Assessment, 2018).
Active Transportation/Living: Expands bike/trail network.
Compact, Walkable Centers: Creates better access through different modes of transportation.
Complete Street Design: Goes beyond complete streets with exclusive facilities.
Connected Street Network: Expands transportation options to improve access to daily needs.
Green Infrastructure: Shade trees to reduce heat island and water filtration/retention strategies.
Integrated Trail System: Connects to natural asset (river), future development, and community centers.
Natural Resources Protection: Highlights natural area alongside the Kansas River.
Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm: Reduces pedestrian exposure to moving vehicles and trailhead amenities are designed at the pedestrian scale.
Tree Preservation: Expands urban tree canopy.
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G20 Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
The project will implement facilities to support a variety of transportation options in a green environment that supports healthy living and preserves the surrounding environment and Kansas Riverbank. The project advances the objectives of the 2017 PSP UG Kaw River Connector project. By implementing a new trail connection, the project will advance the plan’s goals including: Improve public health by increasing active transportation/recreational opportunities; Increase multi-modal transportation options; Improve connectivity to adjacent jurisdictions; Improve quality of life and attract new residents to the urban core; and Enhance environmental quality and improve access to regional environmental assets, such as the Kansas River. Finally, the project supports the 2019 KCATA Wayfinding PSP project.
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G21 Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
Highest-Intensity and Most-Walkable Centers
The project enhances the connectivity, transportation options, and a healthy environment for visitors and residents alike. The project is part of a larger 17-mile levee trail network which will connect the Central Industrial District, Armourdale and Argentine neighborhoods of Kansas City, KS as well as the Westside and West Bottoms neighborhoods of Kansas City, MO. By providing trail and bikeway connections to these activity centers, the project will provide greater access to jobs, residences, and activities centers through zero-emission transportation networks that enhance the vibrancy and livability of these areas.
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G22 Environmental justice tracts?
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Yes
The project improves access to and from several Environmental Justice Census Tracts in Kanas City, KS and Kansas City, MO. Most of the surrounding residential Census Tracts have high poverty rates and minority populations, many of which are located in flood-prone areas. The project will provide expanded transportation choice for low-income and minority populations and, when coupled with investments to the levees, will provide greater flood protection for residents and visitors.
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G23 Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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No
The project promotes the use of zero-emission transportation modes by expanding and enhancing the regional bike and trail network. The project will connect neighborhoods to key points of activity and commerce through the regional trail and bikeway network that will continue to grow and improve with future projects throughout the region. When surveying community members about how they would use the trail system, nearly 50 percent of respondents (98) said a primary benefit of the network would be transportation.
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G24 Natural Resource information:
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The project is located on Central Avenue over the Kansas River, the banks of which are identified as moderate in ecological value and as moderate to high for forest conservation priority areas. This project will ensure the banks of the river are preserved and that residents and visitors have an opportunity to access the natural beauty of the river. Trailheads along the levee network include tree plantings which will help restore the tree canopy and wildlife habitat. Additionally, the project will encourage the use of zero-emission transportation that will help restore air quality and riparian and stream health.
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G25 Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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The levee ROW and multi-use path network is located in an area identified as needed for green infrastructure. The Kanas River has been rated “worst” for stream and riparian health. The project will add green infrastructure that includes pervious surfaces and shade trees that will contribute to the restoration and preservation.
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G26 Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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Wyandotte County Parks Master Plan (2017) identified the levee trails suggests adding sidewalks, bike routes, and lighting along Central Avenue.
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