By Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
April 1, 2015

Editor’s note: Recently, the candidates running for the Third and Fourth District City Council seats were emailed questions specifically addressing concerns in the Northeast. The following are the last responses we received. Not all candidates replied.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri —Second question asked to the candidates: There is a perception in Kansas City that the Northeast is an area not to be traveled to because of crime and blight. What will you do to help change that perception?

Campbell: People need to have a reason to visit the Northeast. Once they do that and see that the perception does not match the reality, they will be more motivated to return on their own and patronize the businesses in the Northeast and maybe even move there. What is nice is that there are already groups like the Northeast Chamber of Commerce and the different neighborhood associations that are working to create fun, welcoming and safe events. Personally, I will continue to support, promote and attend these events. As someone who lives outside of the Northeast, I realize I also need to invite people in my network to join me at these events so they can see what the area has to offer. One idea to take this to the next level would be to create a large signature event to bring people to the area and showcase the Northeast. An example of the scope I’m thinking about would be the Brookside Art Fair. Whether it is around a certain theme or holiday, this could become an annual event that would be know throughout the city.

Shields: I believe that we need to stop buying into this misperception ourselves. The Northeast neighborhoods are beautiful and vibrant and wonderful places to live and work. That said, there are many things that a councilperson working with neighborhoods can do to impact crime and blight.

First, I would support the adoption and implementation of “Parcel to Parcel” linkage. Currently, the city is investing $40 million in a totally new housing development north of Kansas City International Airport. The current Fourth District council members should have insisted that the grant of $40 million to a private Northland developer be contingent on a commitment by the developer to renovate existing housing in the city’s historic neighborhoods. Imagine the impact that could have had in the Northeast. When elected, I will champion this type of linkage and make sure it takes place.

We also need to address abandoned buildings. Some buildings need to be saved. For example, during my prior tenure on the City Council, I worked to insure that the deserted Osteopathic Hospital developed a new life as a satellite center for various city services. This brought needed jobs and people to an important Northeast entry point. Also, we need an infusion of both public and private money to fund the demolition of buildings that are beyond saving. Kissick Construction recently demolished 10 buildings at no cost to the city. I have a long standing relationship with the Heavy Contractors Association, and I will work with them to stimulate this type of private contractor action.

Enforcing existing codes against weeds and dumping is critical. But in addition, I would put vacant lots to use. I would encourage the planting of gardens and orchards. As executive director of Westside Housing, I worked with JaCo Land Trust to identify vacant parcels, and then worked with neighborhood leaders to plant gardens/orchards. I also sponsored the painting of murals on walls covered with graffiti. Two of these major art projects are in the Northeast. I generated the philanthropic dollars to fund these projects. We need to allocate City money wisely, but we also need to generate private dollars.

Stalder: This issue is what originally motivated me to become engaged in municipal issues. I have been an advocate for the Northeast neighborhoods for over a decade, and it is my hope that as an At-Large City Councilman, I would be able to reach more Kansas City area residents and personally change perceptions about the Historic Northeast. I have lived in the Indian Mound neighborhood for over 25 years. My wife and I met in 1991 when we were classmates at James Elementary. We are raising our four children here, and we are encouraging our friends and co-workers to reconsider their perceptions of the neighborhood and the public schools. By demonstrating a commitment to Northeast and letting people know the positive changes that residents, old and new, are making here, it is my hope that more families will move back to the neighborhood and help make Northeast among the top urban communities in Kansas City.

Dial: I don’t think that it’s just the Northeast that is viewed as a place not to travel to, but most of the Third District. I have worked with Councilman Wagner and his task force to remedy the blight in the Northeast and will continue to do so, if elected. The neighborhood associations in the area have done a remarkable job restoring the area and improving the engagement of the residents. I’ll continue to empower the residents and ensure that adequate funding for infrastructure and basic services reached the area.

Justus: I will build on recent successes, such as the CID, and push for neighborhood-based economic development in the Northeast. During my eight years in the state senate, I passed laws to move quickly on nuisance properties and get smart on crime. I will use that expertise and my relationships with state and federal lawmakers to create even better tools to clean-up abandoned properties, responsibly reduce crime and get people back to work.

Lucas: I have visited with a number of business people and families in the Northeast area and discussed the perception issue. I think the easiest way to address the perception is to continue to support investment in our community through targeted tax incentives, particularly for those going to support small businesses in historic structures, continued and enhanced upkeep of basic city services, such as streets and sidewalks, and basic development that will foster growth in the Northeast. As people experience the Northeast, do business in the Northeast, and see what life is like each day for the many residents living there, they will see that it is not a zone to be feared. I struggle often with that same issue in my own area off of 19th and Paseo, but have seen that we cannot simply release a public service announcement, but instead show the type of community we have by exposing them to the life, business, and family interactions seen where we live each day. I think the Northeast has actually done a superior job of that and I hope to be part of that message in the future.

Riley: Crime requires a place, a perpetrator and a victim. We need coordinated efforts to abate nuisances along corridors. Just keeping trash abated has an impact on crime. If we reduce blighted houses and commercial buildings, it will have an impact. We can implement strategies to turn some into tutoring centers, galleries, or gathering spaces. We can turn streetscapes into art our at risk youth will be proud of. The KCPD needs to strengthen its community interaction component as a catalyst for these strategies. I favor giving neighborhoods standing to challenge liquor and entertainment permits.

Perpetrators are another factor, I support the No Violence Alliance (NOVA) effort to take down local networks of violent perpetrators if they do not accept social, employment, and educational services to pursue a different path. I favor the city convening private sector youth and philanthropic services to make them more effective. I favor performance audits of our job training agencies to see that they actively reach at risk youth, the re-entry population, and provide them viable options for a career path. I favor community based sentencing for nonviolent, first offenders. The city needs to invest more in capacity building for neighborhood leaders to mobilize residents for block clubs, youth events, clean ups, working with city staff, and networking better with businesses. There is generational change in many neighborhoods and we need to be proactive.