Urban Neighborhood Initiative
What is the Urban Neighborhood Initiative?
The Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) is one of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s “Big 5” ideas announced in September 2011, aimed at creating economic opportunity and establishing a more vibrant Kansas City region. The Urban Neighborhood Initiative seeks to collaborate with an interested East Side low-income neighborhood or area to identify and begin to address issues to improve the opportunities of its residents.
This initial effort will involve two phases of work – planning and implementation. Each phase will engage community-wide stakeholders and residents in a process to collaboratively identify issues and resources than can effect change.
What is the timeline?
The first phase includes using qualitative and quantitative data, as well as a Letter of Interest process, to identify the specific geographic area in which to start this effort by the end of December 2011. The data used will include input from stakeholders in East Side neighborhoods, identification of community assets and potential partners, and best practice research and models from other communities. Following site selection, key stakeholders and neighborhood residents will help develop an Action Plan by the end of June 2012.
The second phase, beginning in July 2012, will engage stakeholders and residents in the successful implementation of the Action Plan.
Who is involved?
The Chamber selected “champions” for each of its Big 5 ideas who will help bring them to fruition. The Urban Neighborhood Initiative is being led by Terry Dunn, president & CEO of JE Dunn Construction Group and Brent Stewart, president & CEO of United Way of Greater Kansas City.
These champions have already begun work with a group of key community leaders and organizations, who are serving as the UNI Community Leaders Group. Recognizing that this will be a dynamic and long-term process, the UNI Community Leaders Group are committing their time, effort and influence toward supporting implementation by identifying both human and financial resources to ensure success.
Why is United Way managing this effort?
United Way of Greater Kansas was chosen by the Chamber to serve as managing partner for the duration of the initiative based on its track record for engaging the community, convening strategic partnerships and getting results that strengthen financial stability.
Why are you focusing on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri?
Quite simply, the neighborhoods that make up Kansas City, Missouri's east side have some of the greatest needs in our region. As one indicator of greater need, four out of five of the Census tracts with median household incomes below $30,000 in Kansas City, Missouri (Jackson County) are located East of Troost.
Acknowledging the enormity of the opportunity, the UNI seeks to employ strategies within a designated area east of Troost in Kansas City, Missouri, as the initial opportunity to effect meaningful change. It is the intent of the UNI to identify and demonstrate effective strategies in the initial site, seeking to replicate effective approaches to bring about improved community health in additional areas throughout the Greater Kansas City region.
Community Organizations and neighborhood groups eligible for this first opportunity must reside in Kansas City, Missouri (Jackson County) and within the following boundaries:
