UG receives $4.3M for Economic Development & Green Space Initiatives

Published on March 15, 2022

On Friday, March 11, 2022, Representative Sharice Davids announced the securing of $15.7 Million in federal funding, for the Kansas Third District.  The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS (UG) is excited to be one of the funding recipients receiving $4.3 million in funding for economic development and green space initiatives projects in Wyandotte County.

As a result of this funding, the following three projects were identified and approved, the 6^th Street Bike Blvd. & Heritage Trail Connection, the Sumner Area Green Corridor, and the Klamm Park Trail. The funding of these three projects directly coincides with Mayor Garner’s platform commitment to bring attention to infrastructure needs, such as roads, sidewalks, and parks in areas that need most improvements.   

“We are grateful to Representative Davids and her team for the ongoing support in ensuring Wyandotte County/ Kansas City, KS is included in impactful funding opportunities,” said Mayor Tyrone Garner. “We are beyond thankful for the Omnibus funding bill, which gives Wyandotte County, specifically the first and fourth districts an opportunity to be direct benefactors of what invested leadership and positive community impact looks like. This is a great first step in meeting the numerous needs of Wyandotte County. We look forward to collaborating to meet additional identified community needs moving forward.”

6th St. Bike Boulevard/ Heritage Trail Connection

The 6^th Street Bike Boulevard/ Heritage Trail Connection project will entail repaving and restriping 6^th Street between Central Avenue and Armstrong Avenue, as well as connecting to the Riverfront Heritage trail at Armstrong Avenue & 4^th Street. This project aims to help stabilize the neighborhoods and approve the walking and biking safety as well as improve the appearance of neighborhoods. This funding would allow an upgrade to the off-street trail/sidewalk between 3^rd and 4^th street. This project will also include intersection safety improvements to both signalized and un-signalized intersections in order to update outdated infrastructure and provide safe bike/ped connectivity.

Sumner Area Green Corridor

Funding for the Sumner Area Green Corridor project will include designing green infrastructure to address the inland overflow/ stormwater management issues that caused massive disinvestment in this historically redlined neighborhood of Douglas Sumner.  By addressing the inland overflow, the UG will be able to use a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) and its related Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs to redevelop this residential neighborhood with hiking trails adjacent to the green corridor, connect Waterway Park, Big Eleven Lake, Elin Forest Park, Heathwood Park to Jersey Creek Park and Trail through these improvements.   The improvements will be done in conjunction with the UGs approved Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation act (WIFIA) program to address stormwater issues.  The project will also help with the UGs consent decree for combined sewers and related Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) issues.  

Klamm Park Trail

Funding for the Klamm Park Trail project will support the final three phases of the five-phase project. Phases I and II were previously funded from other UG funding sources. This project will include the creation of an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant trail that will be approximately .80 miles long, looping within Klamm Park. Klamm Park (2515 N. 27^th, KCK, KS 66104) is a 30.2-acre park with amenities such as a playground, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, a shelter and restroom facility. Adding a walking trail feature to this park will enhance the overall community resident experience.

Please be on the lookout for more information about the progress and timelines of these projects.