It has been more than seven years since Southtown first won my heart. As a first-time home buyer, I found myself unable to resist the character and diversity of its neighborhoods. My affection only grew as I explored the area and learned more about its rich history. A few years later I accepted a job at the Stowers Institute and a role on the Southtown Council's board of directors. Since then, I have discovered that, in many ways, Southtown is a microcosm of Kansas City - experiencing some of our city's greatest opportunities and wrestling with some of its greatest challenges, all within our small geographic area.
Since 1982, The Southtown Council has met both opportunity and challenge head-on, striving to ensure that Southtown remains a great place to live, work, and do business. Executive Director Marti Lee (who represents the very best of neighborhood organizing) and her dedicated team have worked tirelessly to keep their fingers on the pulse of Southtown by identifying problems, anticipating needs, and celebrating success.
As we look to a new year, I see enormous potential for Southtown, and it seems to be radiating off of Troost Ave. We are well on our way to a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, a new Troost Bridge, major improvements along Troost by Rockhurst University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City; and one million tulips along the Troost Corridor.
Thanks to these efforts, the streets of Southtown are filled with momentum. The Southtown Council is committed to doing everything we can to take advantage of these opportunities. There is much that you can do to join in - from improving your small section of Southtown, to joining in our efforts to tackle some of Southtown's major issues. We can come together and make a difference - the time is now.
Stay tuned for letters from the Waldo and Brookside presidents in next issues!