Could a new plan to rename KC street for Martin Luther King Jr. finally end this debate?
The on-again, off-again — and at times, awfully embarrassing — renaming battle over how Kansas City might belatedly honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is back on, apparently.
First, renaming The Paseo was considered the leading option. But after the Kansas City Council approved the change, voters overturned it. The new terminal at Kansas City International Airport was also a contender, as was 63rd Street, an east-west corridor that encompasses some of the city’s more affluent neighborhoods.
This summer, a proposal to honor King by placing his name on the former J.C. Nichols Parkway in the Country Club Plaza briefly gained some momentum.
Now comes a recommendation to pay homage to King by renaming a stretch of Blue Parkway, starting at 55th Street, Swope Parkway and Volker Boulevard. After opponents complained that other street options were too short, too long or somehow just wrong, could this finally be the choice that’s just right?
Preliminary plans also call for honoring philanthropist William Volker, if the Volker street name is removed, city officials say.
Pushback has been minimal, so far, said Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Kansas City. The local chapter of the civil rights organization that was led by King has played a prominent role in renaming efforts.
Based on the SCLC’s formal recommendation, the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners agreed last week that the latest proposal is an attractive option for a city that has been slow to properly honor King, who was assassinated 52 years ago.
The thoroughfares under consideration pass by or intersect with, from east to west, notable locations such as the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, Brush Creek, MLK Park, The Paseo and the newly-named Mill Creek Parkway in the Country Club Plaza.
A decision on the new Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard could come as early as the end of the month, Terry Rynard, director of Kansas City Parks and Recreation, said.
“We all believe an east-west street would be better,” Rynard said. Troost Avenue has become an infamous dividing line in Kansas City, and “crossing Troost, from a historic perspective, is important.”
Public input is vital this time
Citizen comments and recommendations must be made in writing to Rynard and must be postmarked within a 30-day public-notice period that’s already underway.
Public testimony will be taken at the parks board public meeting Sept. 15 and at a community forum Sept. 17 at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center.
After the 30-day public notice period, Rynard may ask the board to consider a resolution supporting the renaming of the thoroughfares.
If passed by the park board, the City Council will ultimately decide whether to move forward with the proposal.
If recent history is any guide, the latest effort to honor King is certainly not a slam dunk. Process — and public input — matter.
Kansas City remains one of the largest cities in the nation without a street named after the slain civil rights leader. And this years-long saga has reflected poorly on the city.
The City Council’s decision to rename The Paseo for King was met with strong opposition. Property owners rejected the name change, forced a ballot measure to return the original name and won handily at the polls.
Previous attempts to honor King were soundly rejected by the parks board. Now, with input from the community, the board has a chance to right past wrongs.
The proposal includes plans for a cultural corridor, featuring a trail on the south side of the proposed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard that would run parallel to Brush Creek. Other amenities would include a pedestrian bridge that connects the north and south sides of the creek and a community space at Martin Luther King Jr. Square Park.
The parks board has requested funds from the city’s Public Improvements Advisory Committee, or PIAC, for improvements along the route. A private donor is expected to contribute up to $1 million to offset costs associated with what is being called a destination play space at MLK Park.
The overall goal, Howard said, is to spur economic development in an area that has long been ignored and neglected.
“This can be a springboard for more investment,” he said.
That Kansas City should appropriately honor King as nearly every major city in this country has done is not up for debate. Yet, our city has found a reason to reject every option that has surfaced.
Renaming a stretch of Blue Parkway, Swope Parkway and Volker Boulevard appears to be a promising and thoughtful proposal. Collectively, Kansas City should finally look for a way to get to yes.