By Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
March 25, 2015

Editor’s note: Recently, the candidates running for the Third and Fourth District City Council seats were emailed questions specifically addressing concerns in the Northeast. The following are the second of several responses we received. Not all candidates replied. More responses will be published leading up to the April 7, primary election.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri —First question:Last year, the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department assumed management responsibilities of the Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall. Recent estimates of what it will cost to bring Corinthian Hall back to full usage range upward to $20 million. How will you help make the Kansas City Museum a vital community resource?

Katheryn Shields, running for Fourth District, At-large: Corinthian Hall is the center piece of a vibrant, exciting Northeast community. Needed funds to renovate the facility could be generated through public financing. One million dollars a year is designated for the support of Corinthian Hall and the Kansas City Museum. Using a portion of these funds as annual debt payment, the city could issue bonds to make significant improvements to the property. But, we also need an infusion of philanthropic and private monies. When elected, I would work with private entities to create broader community support of this Northeast treasure.

Quinton Lucas, running for Third District, At-large: For my entire life, the Kansas City Museum has been a vital resource in our community and an important part of my own education. It’s up to all of us as neighbors, elected officials, businesspeople, and beyond, to ensure the museum is a resource for future generations. As part of that, I would work with the Parks and Recreation Department to enhance the marketing of the museum. In a number of areas in our city, community centers have been used to host events for groups of different ages, including dances and other activities for senior citizens, to present speakers, and as a meeting place for city meetings, such as the recent budget meeting at Southeast Community Center. I would encourage the city to work with Kansas City Museum staff to increase the foot traffic coming into the museum through such events on a regular basis. I also would direct funding where possible, to the Kansas City Museum and other historically significant community assets in the city, for full preservation, rather than the tear down and construction of entirely new structures seen with other Parks and Recreation Department assets throughout the city.

Rachel Riley, running for Third District, In-district: I advocate that the city make the same effort to complete renovation as it has for attractions downtown. It’s time to reinvest in the neighborhoods. There’s no chance for new taxes. The city has put in $10 million already. It must make strong appeals to local and national philanthropies. With the Power and Light District hemorrhaging cash and $40 million of city money in the Kaufman Center garage, it’s time to invest in the Northeast. We need strong marketing strategies. The strategy should include assets like Kessler Park, Cliff Drive, and the Kansas City Museum in a district that is a regional draw. This requires abating distressed housing and beautification. Perhaps a redevelopment strategy for areas like 12th Street and Kensington Avenue could produce some of the revenues.

I can’t identify all the areas or the incentives, but I can tell you there has not been enough advocacy for using them in these areas. The Glover TIF Plan in Midtown and Health Midwest TIF benefited neighborhoods. We need more of that. The city should prioritize incentives for truly distressed areas to rebuild their base. Too many incentives go elsewhere. I do not favor displacing folks, but there must be a way. It will be a gradual process that builds credibility with the residents. Parks and Recreation needs to be transparent and let residents participate. I favor national accreditation if it helps get the funding. The museum should continue to offer its excellent tours and exhibits like it is currently doing now.

Second question:there is a perception in Kansas City that the Northeast is an area not to be traveled to because of crime and blight. What will you do to help change that perception?

Fierro:Just as I have done as former Park Board President and as CEO of Mattie Rhodes Center, I will advocate actively for the Northeast to be included, and benefit from, in all discussions relating to the distribution of resources towards capital improvements and quality of life issues such as crime prevention, youth development, education and health. I will work with the community and engage the private sector, not for profit community, the City Council, the City Manager and the Mayor to find solutions for current community issues: code violations, gang activity, lack of investment for economic development and safety related to stray dogs and snakes. I will help to identify and place Northeast residents and business owners on various public/private boards [of directors] that offer resources for the Northeast. I will partner with existing programs and organizations that support minor home repair, new housing, economic development and youth development to leverage resources to increase the availability in Northeast of jobs, safe and affordable housing, financing for business start-ups and out-of-school programs for our children. Finally, I will be accessible to the Northeast community and rely on them to guide my advocacy efforts towards the long-term betterment of our area.

Reed:The Northeast Neighborhood contains some of the most historic treasures in our city. Unfortunately, crime and blight exist throughout the Third District. I would support the neighborhoods, community improvement districts and community groups in obtaining funding through the Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) and Neighborhood, Tourism and Development Funds. PIAC funding allows residents to suggest infrastructure improvements and projects that can assist in installing public safety devises to detour crime and address blight.

The Neighborhood Tourism and Development Fund will support activities to promote the Northeast neighborhoods and encourage people from surrounding communities, cities and states to participate in these activities. The Northeast is enriched with diverse cultures. Highlight and promoting the neighborhoods and the cultures can be benefit to the community.

In addition, crime is an issue that cannot be ignored. I am supportive of community policing efforts and implementing measures to deter crime due to unemployment, homelessness, mental illness, in addition to exploring new ways to deal with repeat offenders. I also support changing how the police deal with citizens on an everyday basis. I am a proponent of more walking and bike patrols in certain areas so our officers can more readily interact with business owners and residents to build relationships and listen to their concerns. Through the newly established CID and neighbors, we can make these things a reality. I believe the business districts in the Northeast corridor would be an ideal place to implement this type of policing.