Agreement clears a path to redevelopment of Westport High School

A problem with parking that had been holding up the sale of Westport High School has been solved.

In September, Kansas City Public Schools sold Westport High, 315 E. 39th St., to Kansas City Sustainable Development Partners with a land use restriction that limited development of the school’s athletic field to allow the site to remain open for community use.

The redevelopment of Westport High School and Westport Middle School — purchased by Kansas City Sustainable Development Partners in January 2014 — will be known as Westport Commons: Center for Creativity and Innovation.

Once the developer began signing tenants for Westport Commons it became clear more parking would be needed, prompting a request that the land use restriction be lifted.

The school district on Monday announced it had agreed to let the developer add parking while ensuring the project also provides community access to open space and a walking trail or track.

District officials said in a statement that feedback received in a March public meeting affected the agreement. At that meeting, some residents “expressed strong support,” for the redevelopment and a desire that there would be sufficient parking to ensure it wouldn’t spill over to neighborhood streets.

Others at that meeting expressed support for keeping the open space and track as a community asset.

The agreement revises the use restriction to allow for parking, if needed. The developer also has committed to include open space and either a public walking trail or track on the site.

“We believe that this revised agreement effectively balances the need to address parking demands, meets the community’s desire for open space and a trail, and allows this innovative project to move forward,” Jon Hile, the school board chairman, said in a statement.

Bob Berkebile, a member of the development group, said the agreement “allows us to continue our efforts to repurpose this important historic structure as a home to a diverse group of organizations focusing on increasing Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, along with the health, vitality and resilience of our community.”

The sale is expected to close this summer.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 12:56 PM with the headline "Agreement clears a path to redevelopment of Westport High School."