South of Independence Avenue and east of Hardesty Avenue lies the Sheffield neighborhood. 

Once a hub for steel manufacturing, it now offers a mix of historic and modern homes. In the shadow of industrial sites, a small residential community is bolstered by the Sheffield Neighborhood Association, which takes its name from the Sheffield/ARMCO Steel plant that once offered employment to those living just blocks away. The site is now home to Custom Truck and has been retrofitted to fit the needs of a growing company.

The neighborhood’s character shines through the efforts of the Sheffield Neighborhood Association, working on beautification and community events. Born and raised in the Sheffield neighborhood boundaries, association president Mark Morales has long been the face of the neighborhood, from overseeing the monthly meetings to coordinating volunteers for various projects. 

A long-time project has been the patriotic mural under the railroad bridge at Ninth and Hardesty. 

Sheffield volunteers, with partners The Giving Grove, also maintain an orchard located at 10th and Newton where 15 apple and pear trees were planted a few years ago. 

The association works closely with Sheffield Place, a neighborhood-based service organization dedicated to the empowerment of homeless mothers and their children. In February of 2024, the organization announced plans to break ground on a new residential facility located at the corner of 10th Street and Newton Avenue, in the heart of the Sheffield Neighborhood. Sheffield Place opened in February of 1991 when they purchased the old five-story Nor-Val-E YMCA facility on the northwest corner of 12th and Bennington.

Additional homes and the former Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church convent in the neighborhood have been acquired and rehabilitated to provide permanent housing solutions with funding from Sheffield Place’s annual fundraising events. 

The boundaries for the association are Independence Avenue to the north, Hardesty Avenue to the west, 12th Street to the south, and the Kansas City Southern rail tracks to the east.

Residents enjoy Sheffield Park’s amenities and a sense of pride in their evolving community. With its unique blend of history and modern living, Sheffield attracts those seeking a distinct neighborhood in Kansas City.

The Sheffield Neighborhood Association has regular neighborhood meetings on the 4th Monday of the month, 7:00 PM, at 1001 Bennington Ave. Meetings are not held in November or December. More information about upcoming meetings and events is posted on the association’s Facebook page by searching Official Sheffield Neighborhood Association – KCMO.

The patriotic mural at the 9th and Hardesty railroad underpass was inspired as a way to pay homage to the victims of the 9-11 tragedy in 2001. The collaborative project involved students from both Northeast middle and high schools and was funded by a grant to the Sheffield Neighborhood from the Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance.