More than $1.2 million awarded to advance sustainable places

Sep 29, 2022
| Posted in
Transportation
People buying items at downtown Overland Park farmers market

Sixth round of MARC Planning Sustainable Places grants will fund 15 area projects. 

This week, the Mid-America Regional Council Board of Directors and Total Transportation Policy Committee approved the allocation of $1,228,500 in grant funds to 15 local Planning Sustainable Places projects — six in Kansas and nine in Missouri — that advance the creation of sustainable places in the region. These projects were chosen through a competitive process from 23 total submissions.

The Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) program aims to further the creation of:

  • Vibrant places that offer a mix of options for housing, jobs, services and recreation.
  • Connected places with a variety of transportation options.
  • Green places that support healthy living and a healthy natural environment.

These concepts are promoted in the region’s long-range transportation plan, Connected KC 2050, and in many city and county comprehensive plans. The PSP program was created in 2013 as part of the region’s Creating Sustainable Places initiative.

The 2023 PSP grant awards include:

City of Bonner Springs, Kansas

Bonner Springs Downtown Master Plan — a multimodal plan that integrates an existing trail system and transit services. Awarded $60,000.

City of Grandview, Missouri

Harry Truman Drive and Presidential Trail Enhancement — a multimodal plan for Harry Truman Drive and the Presidential Trail. Awarded $56,000.

City of Greenwood, Missouri

Greenwood Connected — a multimodal planning and connectivity study for downtown Greenwood that plans the final connection for the Rock Island Trail. Awarded $30,250.

City of Independence, Missouri

Independence Transportation for All Plan — a citywide multimodal transportation plan. Awarded $74,250.

City of Kansas City, Missouri

Multicounty Regional Bike/Ped Highway Barrier Removal Project — a connectivity study to connect existing trail systems in Platte and Clay counties. Awarded $100,500.

Southwest Boulevard Transportation Study — a community-driven transportation study for Southwest Boulevard from Broadway to 31st Street. Awarded $135,000.

Vine Street with Greenline Connector — a complete street and connectivity study for the Vine Street corridor from 18th to 31st streets. Awarded $135,000.

City of Mission, Kansas

Rock Creek Corridor Improvements: Downtown Center to East Gateway — a plan for improvements to the Rock Creek Trail corridor. Awarded $80,000.

City of North Kansas City, Missouri

Riverfront Levee Trail — a feasibility study for a mixed-use trail on the North Kansas City levee system. Awarded $54,000.

City of Osawatomie, Kansas

OZ Commons: Community Hub — a plan for the development of a multimodal community hub in downtown Osawatomie. Awarded $80,000.

City of Overland Park, Kansas

College and Metcalf Overlay District — a new flexible zoning overlay district that addresses the relationship between transportation and land use in a key commercial corridor. Awarded $50,000.

79th Street Corridor Study — a multimodal plan for the 79th Street corridor with emphasis on safety and connectivity to existing destinations. Awarded $100,000.

City of Parkville, Missouri

Parkville ADA Transition Plan — Awarded $20,000.

City of Westwood, Kansas

Rainbow Boulevard/7th Street/Highway 169 Complete Street Traffic Management Plan — conceptual design development for Rainbow Boulevard and four key commercial intersections. Awarded $118,500.

Port KC

Berkley Riverfront Connectivity Study — a planning and connectivity study for the Berkley Riverfront area of Columbus Park in Kansas City, Missouri. Awarded $135,000.

The projects are classified into three categories: initial planning for a study area without previous planning, project development, and planning for project implementation. Ten of the currently funded projects fall into the initial planning category, which require meaningful community engagement.

The Planning Sustainable Places grant program involves communities in a local government planning process with a focus on creating better places. This allocation marks the sixth round of PSP funding and brings the program’s total impact to $6,870,000 awarded to 98 projects. It is exciting to see communities implement plans that create vibrant assets for their residents.

Beth Dawson, MARC Principal Planner

Funding for these grants comes from the Missouri and Kansas Surface Transportation Programs. Project sponsors are required to provide a local match of at least 20 percent.

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