Julia Williams
Editor-in-Chief

Northeast’s infamous Independence Avenue may just be an actor playing a role in helping its commuters get from point A to point B. However, beyond its structured pavement and strategic fence separations, resides much more than traffic signs and community businesses. 

The morning of June 27, Kansas City’s Fourth District-at-Large Councilman Rea hopped into a Gator sport utility vehicle — alongside Independence Avenue City Improvement District’s (CID) Team Resource Manager, Laura Birdsong — in an effort to observe this environment and the malignant experiences of many.

As Councilman Rea grew up in an adjacent Northeast neighborhood — Blue Valley — he is no stranger to challenges along the Avenue. However, this exposure — he said was eye-opening.

“It was a reminder to double down on efforts for shelters and resources,” Councilman Rea said in an interview. 

These efforts include providing bed space for individuals in need and continuing the conversation toward creating a mental health, rehabilitation and detention center.

This tour started at the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce around 8:30 a.m., before it trekked down the Avenue — ensuring to pause in numerous alleyways, including one near Price Chopper. 

Within the alley, Councilman Rea was exposed to many alarms, including deprived, houseless individuals, scattered belongings and debris, among other piercings. 

Following his experience, Councilman Rea said he has a few concerns he would like to immediately address — many of which pertain to said alleyways. 

A great amount of individuals partake in controlled substances within these alleys, which appear parallel to residential backyards. In an effort to combat this complication, Councilman Rea said he would like to vacate these alleyways and allocate them for alternative usages — including restructuring property boundaries and shifting its ownership to neighboring homeowners, rather than public possession. 

For additional information on related challenges, check out the June 29, Illegal Dumping Northeast Newscast with Councilman Rea on Spotify or Apple Music.