Northeast News
January 31, 2014

During 2013, Historic Northeast experienced a number of positives and former Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce President Bobbi Baker-Hughes rounded up a list of her favorites. Below is Baker-Hughes’ year in review.

January…LISC awards the NEKC Chamber of Commerce an additional $19,000 to continue the CSI CID Pilot project as we continue the legal process of establishing the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District (CID).

February…BEANS, BEADS & BEER!! Annual Mardi Gras celebration was held at Askew Inn. This was the perfect venue for us to kick off “REVEAL,” our crowd funding campaign. A start-up fund, awarded by Community Capital Fund, with matching dollars from donors allowed NEKC Chamber of Commerce the opportunity to begin the process of creating a five-year Strategic Plan. Our seasoned consultant spent several months with the NEKC board and community members to define the needs and identify an action plan for results.

March…KC Mayor and City Council Approve Ordinance #130186 adopting the formation of the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District.

April…Independence Avenue Community Improvement District held its first board meeting. Board members were affirmed, bylaws were approved and adopted and the board approved a sales/use tax election.

May…Urban Ambassadors (CID), volunteers, board members, neighbors and businesses start the process of creating a more beautiful Independence Avenue. More than 1,000 plants were set into the planters in the Independence Avenue/Prospect area in preparation for a celebration!!

June…A reason to celebrate!! The NEKC Chamber of Commerce hosted “CID CELEBRATION!!” Kansas City Design Center (KCDC) students shared their project, “Vision of Independence Avenue.”

July…Monthly Chamber luncheons are always informative but this one was great! A detailed presentation was made regarding research done for an “International Market Place” to our members and guests. Thanks to the efforts of former Mayor Kay Barnes, now distinguished Professor for Public Leadership at Park University and CORO’s Kansas City 10-week summer leadership intern program for spending time in our community…building the future.

August…Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) partnered with Northeast Arts KC and the NEKC Chamber to create a mural and build a visually appealing merchandise display for City Union Mission Thrift store.

Business and community leaders and neighbors celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of

“Mi Mercado” and several other businesses throughout the year.

September…2nd Annual International Taste & Tour was a huge success. The trolley tour of our beloved Historic Northeast was highlighted by two of our best local historians, Michael Bushnell, publisher of the Northeast News and Kent Dicus, president of the Northeast Kansas City Historical Society. Food from around the world, a live auction, music performed by the Grand Marquis and amazing dancing by the Swingsters and a few of our local celebrity dancers assured everyone had a great time!!

October…Partnerships continue to be renewed and revitalized as new partners come to the table to create opportunities for Historic Northeast. University of Missouri Extension office moves to the River Market area and strengthens relations in our community. “Good Neighbor” Crime Prevention awards are received by NEKC Chamber members and community leaders. Together, we the community continue to make the Historic Northeast a better place to live, work, play and worship.

November…The Independence Avenue CID begins receiving sales tax and property tax assessments to be used for improving the “District.” Watch for the “Avenue Angels”… NEKC Chamber of Commerce commits to be the local conduit regarding economic development issues at City Hall and streetcar initiative discussions.

December…NEKC Chamber and NEKC Library partner to host an initial Google workshop for small businesses. The TAKE CHARGE Leadership program is announced and a record number of applications are received for the classes scheduled to begin January 2014

DECEMBER 31st…. CID “Avenue Angels” are on The Avenue. A GREAT way to bring in the NEW YEAR!!!