By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
June 1, 2011

“I was really excited about the artwork. It was beyond what I expected,” said Malenda Shahane, Northeast Community Leadership Action Team (NCLAT) member.

“Constrained Chaos” and “Confluence” name only a few of the submissions NCLAT received.

In February, NCLAT asked local artists to submit designs for bike racks with trash receptacles that will be installed throughout Historic Northeast. NCLAT didn’t want the traditional “u” shape bike rack design. They wanted something that would attract tourists and bicyclists to Northeast.

A judging panel of community leaders whittled down the 13 designs to six and proposed sites include the Concourse in Kessler Park, Budd Park, the Kansas City Museum and the Pendleton Heights neighborhood.

Recently, Shahane attended a parks and recreation board meeting and board members approved the designs. Only a few extra details need to be resolved.

“The (Kansas City Parks and Recreation) board thought it was a great idea. They talked about maybe once we do this pilot in our area, putting it up on their website and encouraging other neighborhoods to do the project as well,” she said. “They’re very supportive of the project.”

Each bike rack will cost $10,000 and includes fabrication, installation, city permits and artist and sponsor plaques. NCLAT already raised its first $10,000 through State Street Bank located in downtown Kansas City. Other donations have included $1,000 from Lockton Benefit Group and a $2,500 grant from NeighborWorks.

The goal is to install the first bike rack this summer.

“Our absolute goal is to get one installed by October because the national NeighborWorks (Community Leadership Institute) conference is coming to Kansas City,” Shahane said.

NeighborWorks is already slated to tour Northeast and view the new bike rack, she said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the bike rack completed and seeing people with their bikes hooked up to it, seeing people take pictures in front of the bike rack because they think it’s unique,” Shahane said. “It’s making people aware that Northeast is a bike friendly destination and hopefully, people from around the metro will come.”

Above, This is one of several bike rack designs the team is considering. Artist Owen Bissex designed a carriage featuring a trash can and a lamppost to house bicycles to fit with Cliff Drive’s history. Submitted artwork