Grime:
Did you know that by Fall 2023, team members with the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District (IACID) had picked up a total of 119,646.40 pounds of trash? This is a significant achievement toward keeping the community clean and safe.  This was accomplished through the hard work and dedication of the CID team, as well as the support of community members who played their part by disposing of trash properly and raising awareness about the importance of keeping the environment clean.

The avenue has been the target of graffiti tagging for many years. To address this issue, the Urban Street Ambassador (USA) team at CID puts in the extra effort to remove all the illegal graffiti tags. Last year, their primary challenge was to clean up the exposed areas of the infamous Independence Avenue low-clearance bridge, located near Independence and White Avenues. This was accomplished by adding colorful, painted blocks on the bridge’s approach walls. Watch for a new mural project at the bridge to be installed later this summer

Crime:
On August 26th, 2023, at the CID’s quarterly Safety & Security meeting, a diverse group of more than 20 people, including local business owners, community members, KCPD officers came together to discuss crime and safety along the Independence Avenue corridor. The attendees engaged in a constructive dialogue, sharing their experiences with KCPD and expressing their opinions on the various crime and safety challenges that exist there. With the presence of two TITAN representatives, the event provided a valuable opportunity for exchanging ideas and insights on the safety and security issues affecting the community. These quarterly meetings are a great example of how people from different backgrounds can come together to create positive change.

Recently, during morning rounds, Laura Cardwell, the CID’s Operations Manager, noticed a woman named “Joyce” sleeping on the sidewalk. Joyce, who walks with the aid of a cane had fallen the night before when her cane gave out. Cardwell called for the Titan Avenue Angels and summoned a Fire department ambulance to the scene to treat Joyce’s injuries. 

Chime:
The Northeast Chamber of Commerce’s primary responsibility is to foster and encourage business growth and development in the Historic Northeast community. To that end, the EGG (Economic Growth Gallery) at 2659 Independence Avenue serves as a venue for a variety of small business pop-up opportunities. It also acts as a venue for events hosted by the Northeast Chamber of Commerce or CID. These events include Coffee, Conversation & Culture, and Chamber after-hours networking events. 

Over the last six months, the EGG has served as a hub for numerous community events and fundraisers, providing a space where people can come together and make a difference in their community. Some of the noteworthy events that have taken place at the EGG include Become More’s ‘INKlusion’ Saturday series, which aims to promote diversity and inclusivity through art, a DRINK & DRAW CLASS where attendees can learn to draw while enjoying an adult beverage and a BBQ FUNDRAISER aimed at raising funds for a local charity. The EGG space also serves as the newsroom for Historic Northeast Media, publishers of the multiple award-winning, weekly community news source, The Northeast News.