Efforts to Implement the Northeast Area Master Plan Continue amid COVID
GROUNDWORK NORTHEAST REVITALIZATION GROUP NEWS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 24, 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Groundwork Northeast Revitalization Group (Groundwork NRG), formerly the Historic Northeast-Midtown Association (HNMA), and its community partners continue to work towards the implementation of the Northeast Area Master Plan (NEAMP).
Throughout 2017 and 2018, members of the Northeast community identified 23 priority projects that they would like to see completed as a part of the NEAMP implementation. Each project falls under one of four themes, each of which expresses an aspiration for the Historic Northeast: a food hub, a rich history, a healthy community, and an expanded economy. The 11 highest priority projects are in varying stages of implementation.
In 2020, one of the priority projects, the Jersey Creek Restoration, received additional support through the CARES Act, which funded the installation of 2.75 miles of new blacktop on the Jersey Creek Trail. In addition, Groundwork NRG was awarded $60,000 in funding through the Sunflower Foundation, which will also be utilized to improve the Jersey Creek Trail. The trail upgrades were recently celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Wyandotte County Commissioner Melissa Bynum, who was in attendance, commented on the significance of the trail upgrade:
“The improvements at the Jersey Creek Trail are important for the area and a testament to the work that Groundwork NRG has been doing for multiple years now. I'm grateful that our Parks Department was able to use CARES Act funding in order to resurface the Jersey Creek Trail from 5th to 18th Street. The improvements will offer more opportunities for people to get outside, walk, jog, and bike the trail, and do more things to help themselves be healthy.”
Other high priority projects have recently been completed. Groundwork NRG is the fiscal sponsor for the new Dotte Mobile Grocer, which is currently at work providing fresh food in Northeast KCK. The community vision of a downtown grocery and community center has also been realized with the MERC Co+op’s expansion into KCK at 501 Minnesota Ave on July 30th, 2020. The MERC is a consumer-owned co-op, and discounted $10 ownership shares are available for participants in any Food Assistance Programs administered by the states of Kansas or Missouri.
Other high-priority projects in the NEAMP include a marketing campaign for the Fairfax District, a Northeast Police Substation, a Fairfax Job Training Program, and initiatives to bridge the digital access gap, improve access to job centers, and provide minor home repairs. The remaining projects are detailed here.
ADDITIONAL NEAMP PROJECT UPDATES
In 2020, the Unified Government partnered with Groundwork NRG and was awarded a $138,000 federal grant through the Mid-American Regional Council, which will facilitate the completion of another NEAMP priority project: the NE Historical Marker Trail. This now-funded project titled “Going Green with Groundwork + UG” will feature a Heritage Trail spanning from Historic Kaw Point to the Quindaro Townsite and weave together walking infrastructure like Jersey Creek Park with other historical and cultural items of interest. The project will also include green infrastructure installations which will complement the trail and educate the community on the benefits of green infrastructure.
Progress has also been made on the Quindaro Townsite Reinvestment project, which will improve trails and add interpretative resources to the townsite. Quindaro is a National Commemorative Site and will serve as the northernmost part of the NE Historical Marker Trail. In 2020, the Unified Government signed an MOU with Allen Chapel AME Church to define their participation in the efforts to improve the site.
In 2019, the Northeast Grocers was featured as a priority project in a brownfields assessment grant application submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency by KCMO, KCK, MARC, and Jackson County. The grant was awarded in May of 2020. This grant--combined with previous brownfields funding--will enable further environmental assessments of the property and the Northeast Grocers project team is working with these partners and others to determine funding streams for clean-up of what is identified during the assessments. Groundwork NRG signed a lease with PRIDE, the local chapter of the Black Firefighters Association to rent the building at 1726 Quindaro, otherwise known as the Northeast Grocers. The President of PRIDE, Terrance Henderson, commented on the partnership between PRIDE and Groundwork NRG:
“PRIDE Firefighter Joshua Hatchet saw the need for fresh food in this community. He presented it to PRIDE and we saw his vision. So we decided together with Groundwork NRG to build this future. We came up with the slogan “Let’s Do It Again” because together we will do it again.”
The Northeast Grocers project team has been working on completing repairs to the building and has signed a contract with a plumber to have the existing sewer line repaired. The Northeast Grocers team was very happy to welcome Megan Painter with Community Housing of Wyandotte County, who will be assisting with pre-development work for the project.
CHWC is also partnering with Groundwork NRG and YouthBuild KCK on the YouthBuild Model Block program, which puts young people to work creating new homes in Northeast KCK. The model block coalition continues to meet on a monthly basis and are currently drafting a "micro plan" document that captures the various aspects of the project. YouthBuild KCK has made steady progress in the construction of the first house on the model block.
Transition to the Groundwork USA National Trust Network
At the beginning of 2020—following a 22 month process—HNMA joined the Groundwork USA National Trust Network. As a result, HNMA changed its name to Groundwork Northeast Revitalization Group and adopted the Groundwork USA mission statement:
“The mission of the Groundwork USA network is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social well-being.”
Groundwork NRG also adopted a new local mission statement:
“Groundwork NRG’s local mission is to sustain and revitalize our beloved Northeast KCK community through forward-looking and inclusive action rooted in the principles of equity, community cohesion, institutional transparency, and environmental justice.”
The move opens up new relationships with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service. To support this transition, Groundwork NRG hired a new full-time team member, the Green Team Coordinator, who will establish programming that involves young people in environmental conservation and stewardship, green development, and infrastructure projects in Northeast KCK.
Explore Groundwork NRG’s website to see the full Northeast Area Master Plan and read the latest news.