WELCOME TO WESTSIDE CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD!
To jumpstart revitalization and improve the quality of life of residents, Housing Authority of Kansas City (HAKC) applied and won a Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) Planning Grant. This program is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is funding a two-year planning process.
The process is designed to bring the residents of West Bluff and the larger Westside neighborhood together with city and local partners to create a shared vision for the future. While much of the focus is on West Bluff residents, it is intended that the vision, goals, and strategies of the Plan will support the entire Choice Neighborhood.
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Kansas City's Westside Neighborhood became an important part of the city's physical and cultural infrastructure. Early in the city's history the area became a natural focal point of residential development because of its location between the meat-packing and railroad industries in the West Bottoms and jobs in the Downtown business district. Over time the area became the primary settlement area in Kansas City for families who migrated from Mexico and other Latin American countries. Today, while the people of Latino heritage are more widely dispersed throughout the metro area, the Westside is still the traditional center of Hispanic culture in Kansas City.
Over a 100 years ago....
In the 1960's, the I-35 Highway was constructed, cutting off connections between the Westside residents and businesses in the Central Business District. However, with its proximity to downtown, and views of the city from its hilltops, the old homes and vacant lots in its northern portion have become highly sought after. Westside now finds itself one of several neighborhoods in Kansas City undergoing significant gentrification. This new market demand has resulted in the loss of affordable rental housing for younger generations. Perhaps of greatest concern to residents is the displacement of original residents and businesses, and the potential loss of the neighborhood’s cultural identity.
there came a highway and everything changed!
