Abby Cambiano
Northeast News

The latest construction at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences could change your daily commute.

The university has sponsored an ordinance that would close Woodland Avenue between Independence Avenue and Brownell Avenue. The reason cited for the road construction is in order to increase pedestrian accessibility and safety.

At least three KCATA stops are involved in addition to the reworking of the road: Woodland & Independence and both east- and westbound at Woodland & Missouri.

Legislation #180762 was filed by the Clerk’s Office on October 2 and referred to the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee on the fourth. On October 10 the ordinance was advanced, pending six conditions.

According to the project description, the proposed vacation site has sidewalks on both sides and several curb cuts. KCUMB intends to vacate this portion of Woodland Avenue to provide a safer crossing for students and faculty of the university, as well as smoother student drop-off for Della Lamb just north of Independence Avenue.

The six conditions the committee cited include KCUMB paying all the relocation costs for street lights and Time Warner Cable services. The committee also requested “a full-width utility easement is retained and all existing KCP&L, KC Water Services and AT&T facilities are protected prior to the recording of this vacation.”
In addition, KCUMB may not construct any new structures within the area being vacated without approval from the Director of Public Works, Sherri McIntyre. Finally, access to utilities must be provided to the utility providers at all times.

KCUMB and KCATA were not available for comment at the time of publication. Check back on our website for updates on this project.