Mike Spady
Contributor

Residents and stakeholders gathered on Thursday, November 6, for a community planning workshop focused on the next phase of initiatives for the Forgotten Homes and Independence Plaza neighborhoods. 

The neighborhood planning effort is being led by Hoxie Collective, a Kansas City‑based community‑planning practice that works with underserved neighborhoods to develop housing, transportation, and design strategies. The updated plan for the area is intended to include new affordable housing units, commercial space for local businesses, and improvements to streetscapes along Independence Avenue.

Discussion topics at the meeting included strategies for maintaining housing affordability, opportunities for small‑business growth, traffic‑calming measures, pedestrian safety, and enhanced lighting in the Independence Plaza corridor. The Forgotten Homes portion of the plan focuses on rehabilitating vacant properties and constructing new infill housing while preserving the historic character of the neighborhood. These priorities align with the grant‑funded study for the area, which highlights housing and transportation issues. 

For more information, contact Hoxie Collective via email at choxie@hoxiecollective.com.