Dorri Partain
Dorri Partain
Managing Editor
History and industry meet at the intersection of Cambridge and Independence Avenues as north and south traffic flows under “Sheffield Bridge,” while traffic above flows east and west on Winner Road. A faded sign announces the entrance for Sheffield Station Industrial Park Gate 2 above a pile of old mattresses and scattered refuse.
Mark Morales, Sheffield Neighborhood Association president, is at this site often — picking up trash and cutting back tall weeds — and envisioning a new look for this old metal bridge.
“It doesn’t get regular maintenance,” Morales said, during an on-site interview, Monday. “We call 311 and they come out, pick up what’s been dumped,” he said, referring to this remote area at the northern border for the Sheffield neighborhood.
Morales said the City’s Illegal Dumping department has installed security cameras three times in an effort to catch and prosecute dumpers, but each time, cameras are stolen. One solution, he said, is an initiative to partner with area businesses and property owners to install cameras just inside their fenced areas. Discussions with Chris Ross, owner of Custom Truck One Source (7701 Independence Ave.), have pinpointed areas where additional cameras would be beneficial to both parties.
Another vision Morales plans to pursue is to redirect traffic so that there is only one access point to travel under the bridge, which would limit access for refuse dumping. Increased lighting would also reduce dumping and the “popping up” of unhoused encampments overnight.
“It’s that ‘broken window theory’ that once dumping has happened, it’s okay to add more,” said Morales.
With mostly industrial zoning and few residences nearby, the area in general has its challenges, Morales said.
In previous beautification efforts to cover graffiti, patriotic swatches of red, white and blue were painted by volunteers but now need to be repainted.
Once issues with dumping have been resolved, Morales has a vision for more improvements that would make the area under this bridge a public space.
“I’d love to have a festival down here, a Bridge Bash,” Morales said. “It’s cool and shady, but also cool and historic. I’d like to see more color, and a restoration of that (Sheffield) sign. Might be a good place for a skate park, we’re open to talking about that.”
Another bridge beautification project Morales has spearheaded is the repainting of the rainbow/patriotic murals under the Ninth Street and Hardesty Avenue bridges. Much progress was made last year and is continuing this summer, including from 9 a.m. to around 1 p.m., this Saturday, July 5. Brushes and paint will be supplied and volunteers are welcome to assist.
Sheffield Neighborhood Association meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 1029 Bennington Ave. Find meeting notices and other association events posted on their Facebook page: Official Sheffield Neighborhood Association- KCMO.
admin
-
