| Featured Project Good Enough Is Not Enough Intensive Charrette Propels Douglass-Sumner to New Heights (October, 2007) When Sumner Academy student Melissa Villalobos walked into Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ for a neighborhood youth listening session, she did not know what to expect. The church, located one-block north of the high school in Kansas City, Kan., had been transformed into an urban planning “design studio” complete with maps, architectural renderings, and photo displays.
It was the first time that Villalobos and Douglass-Sumner residents had participated in an innovative urban planning project called a “charrette.” It became a watershed event – one that changed their views about the future of the Douglass-Sumner neighborhood.
“I was amazed,” said Villalobos. “The architects inspired me.”
“We wanted to set the bar very high. Good enough was not enough,” said Kevin Klinkenberg of 180° Urban Design and Architecture, a Kansas City firm specializing in urban planning and design that coordinated the charrette.
Co-sponsored by Greater Kansas City LISC and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County (UG) in partnership with the Douglass-Sumner Neighborhood Association, the goal of the charrette was to create a 15- to 20-year master plan in an intensive four-day planning period. A charrette is often used by urban planners and architects to involve a community and promote joint ownership in solving significant development issues.
“Douglass-Sumner needed to paint a picture of its future and garner widespread support from the community,” said Mary Ontko, Senior Program Officer, who spearheaded the project for Greater Kansas City LISC. “The charrette was chosen as an effective means for addressing complex revitalization issues including, housing, infrastructure and utility needs, green space, education, and safety.”
Currently, the area is plagued with vacant lots and abandoned structures, population loss and crime. Yet, a committed core of residents and community leaders are passionate to bring back the neighborhood to its former glory. “We’ve been through so much, and we have waited so long,” said Beatrice Lee, Douglass-Sumner Neighborhood Association President. “We are ready for change.”
“We tried to offer every opportunity for residents and stakeholders to give input about improving the neighborhood,” said Ontko. “We want to hear your issues, dreams and thoughts,” Klinkenberg told participants at the first public meeting. “This is a day of hope.”
The church “design studio” was open to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday for input and discussion. Public listening sessions with plan updates were held nightly; and additional sessions were held during the day for many groups including faith leaders, UG and school officials, business owners, Sumner Academy alumni, youth in the area, builders and developers, and police and fire representatives.
As each day progressed and more feedback was received, the architectural renderings were modified and fine-tuned. Creating more affordable housing was the initial focus; yet the discussion andrenderings touched all areas of development including
The proposed master plan calls for more housing that attracts a broader population to the area; new senior housing allowing many long-time residents to stay in the neighborhood; street and campus improvements to draw attention to Sumner Academy as a focal point; and complimentary green space throughout the area.
“Implementation starts tonight,” said Klinkenberg at the final presentation. He highlighted Douglass-Sumner’s tremendous assets, including its close proximity to downtown KCK and KCMO, its many churches, and its dedicated leadership, adding “Douglass-Sumner has so much to offer. We firmly believe this will happen.” To download the Douglass-Sumner Quality of Life Plan click here.
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