HISTORY OF PLANNING AND URBAN DESIGN: KCMO
KAYJATTA
PART I: ANALYSIS OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
PRESENT CONDITIONS
The 20th and 21st blocks between the parallels of Belleview and Pennsylvania Avenue fall under U.S. Census tract 29. The area is generally sparsely built and populated.
The architecture of this region, ranging from the late Victorian styles and “high-style” designer homes on Madison, Jefferson and Summit to the Italianate, Queen Anne, Romanesque, Colonial Revival, and the indigenous peaked style of Kansas City, reveals a stunning diversity of socio-economic status of its residents.
At Belleview and 20th street stretching south to 21st street is sparsely settled, but has a number of public spaces including a public library (Kansas City Public Library), a community center (Tony Aquirre Community Center), and a Villa Del Sol. Belleview appears sparsely built on the left side with a large grass-covered open space. The right side is more built with one storey, uniformly looking multi-generational family cottages. Just off Belleview, towards Holy Street is the sprawling Observation Park facing a line of single family detached houses on the opposite side of the road, on Holy Street.
Summit and Jefferson, between the 20th and 21st parallels is more densely built; on both sides but especially along Jefferson Street. A number of businesses are found in this area between Summit and Jefferson including MYSmartPlans & Marathon Digital Services and Westside Can Center. There is also a religious center, the Rime Buddhist Center & Monastery.
Cabot Westside Health Center at Summit and the Miguel Bon Mexican Bakery at Madison are important businesses in the area. The presence of these features is an indication of a significant ethnic and religious diversity in this area.
Summit has a lot of office spaces on one side and red-brick linear multi-generational family homes on the other. The spaces between the houses are very small, again pointing to an earlier Streetcar suburb.
Between Jefferson and W. Pennsylvania Avenue in the 20th street and 21st street parallels, an interstate, I-35 cuts through the landscape. Therefore, this area between Jefferson and W. Pennsylvania Avenue is sparsely built. Most of the buildings there are perhaps big department stores with their huge parking lots and possibly some smaller businesses such as the Versant, a computer related store. There are buildings made of red bricks, reminiscent of earlier Streetcar Suburbs. There is a General Mill Machine Shop and a locksmith shop, McQueeney Lock just on the other side of W. Pennsylvania Avenue. There is also a billboard announcing the presence of the Argosy casino in the vicinity of the neighborhood.
Avenida Cesar E. Chavez (Cesar Chavez Avenue), named after the Mexican-American civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez; that lined the border of this study area, unmistakably points to the large Latino population in this area. Latino businesses such as grocery stores, restaurants, churches (The Guadalupe Center), and newspaper stalls (Dos Mundos) abound in the commercial strip of Southwest Boulevard.
1925 CONDITIONS:
By contrast, in 1925, suburban development has not reached beyond Pennsylvania Avenue. There is significant development between Pennsylvania and Washington Street, mainly along the street line. A mix of single-family dwellings and two and three storey multi-generational family homes are present here. Some houses equipped with automatic sprinkler system are observable along not only Pennsylvania Avenue but in the entire area stretching across over Washington Street. It appears that there is a church at the lower end of Pennsylvania Avenue, below 7th Street. This church perhaps also served as a school since no school is observable in the area according to the 1925 data. However, there is a bank and a Fire Station off Washington Street by Broadway.
This area is classified as of moderate priority for intense survey. It is a relatively small area, and comprise largely of one-storey bungalows and cottages. The lots are narrow and the spaces between lots are small. Most houses have ethnic identifications such as yard ornaments, wrought iron and chain link fencing, pointing to the staunch commitment to community values and traditions observed in this area. West 20th and West 21st streets are perhaps the densest and have retained their integrity and historic streetscape over the years.
1950 CONDITIONS:
By 1950 growth has reached beyond Pennsylvania Avenue, perhaps spurred by the development of Interstate 35 (I-35), which cut through this region starting from the 1950s bringing residential and industrial development. It has to be noted, however, that the development of I-35 has contributed greatly to the decline and decay of the downtown and the urban core. Houses are relatively modest, comprising of single-family bungalows and two and three multi-generational family homes; perhaps occupied by second generation Americans and children of immigrants from Western and Eastern Europe as well as Latin America. A few two and three storey buildings, possibly multi-generational family homes have appeared between Pennsylvania and Jefferson Street. A line of one storey brick or stone frame constructions are noticeable over Pennsylvania towards Jefferson. This place is still sparsely populated; large open spaces are common features in the area. There appears to be a public housing space, perhaps an apartment complex on the block at Pennsylvania.
Just across, at Washington Street, there is a Kansas public transportation (Streetcar) Depot. This area appears to be a streetcar neighborhood as indicated by the linear real estate development expanding transit lines.
PART II: DEMOGRAPHICS.
POPULATION:
According to the 2000 census, the total population of census tract 29 is one million seven hundred seventy six thousand and sixty two (1,776,062) people. Of this, 78% are Whites only, 12% consist of Blacks (African Americans) only, American Indians and Alaska natives take up 0.5% of the population, and Asians only are 2%, while native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders consist of less than 1% of the total population.
In a different extrapolation, out of a population sample of 940; 491 (52%) were White only, 99 (11%) were Blacks only, 0.5% consisted of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Compared to the 1950 census data figures, there were only about 6,000 people living in this tract (area). Of this 95% were Whites and 5% Blacks. The population distribution between males and females for 1950 is about even. See Table 1 below.
In half a century, these study area has grown in population size 300 folds. That is a staggering growth rate of 6% per annum. That is a pretty impressive growth rate, perhaps fueled by the general trend of American suburbanization and its accompanying highway and automobile development. It is significant to note that Interstate 35 (I-35) passes through this area beginning in the 1950s allowing the proliferation of businesses and residences in this area.
Table 1: Graph: population distribution by ethnicity.
Ethnic group | Population in percentage | |
1950 | 2000 | |
Whites | 95 | 78 |
Blacks | 5 | 12 |
American Indians | 0.5 | - |
Pacific Islanders | < 1 | - |
PLACE OF BIRTH:
According to place of birth by citizenship status report, out of a population sample of 940; 366 (39%) were born in the place of their residence (residents by birth); 299 (32%) were born in another state within the United States (Northeast 18%, Midwest 30%, South 21%, and West 31%). 3% of all residents were born in a foreign country predominantly Puerto Rico. See Table 2 below.
In 1950 out of the 4% population of the foreign-born Whites is predominantly from Western and Eastern Europe. However, Mexico, United States’ longstanding poorer neighbor to the south is the single country with the largest number of migrants into this area (Census tract 29). Therefore, this further explains the significant Hispanic presence in this area, as indicated by indigenous businesses example the Miguel Bon Mexican Bakery and other landmarks such as the Cesar Chavez Avenue named after the famous Hispanic civil rights figure.
Table 2: place of birth distribution
Place of Birth | Population in percentage | |
1950 | 2000 | |
Born in place of residence | 39 | |
Midwest | 30 | |
South | 21 | |
West | 31 | |
Northwest | 18 |
HOUSING:
In the year 2000, there was a total of 418,000 housing units, of which 73% were with a mortgage contract, 1.5% were either a second mortgage or home equity loan, 9% were second mortgage only, 7% was home equity loan only, 58% had no second mortgage and no home equity loan, and 27% of the housing units were without any mortgage.
Of the owner-occupied housing units, 63% comprised of White owners, 8% Black owners, and American Indians and Alaska Natives represented 1%.
Comparatively, in 1950 there were 2,173 dwelling (housing) units. Out of that total, less than 20% were owner occupied. Only about 10% (of the over 400 owner occupied units) were occupied by Non-white owners. It appears that the 1950 trend of land (property) ownership and landlessness along racial lines persists today (in 2000).
POVERTY STATUS:
The poverty status report indicates that of 127,000 families in this tract, about 9% are below poverty line. However, this figure is much larger for families with young children below 18, and even largest in those families with children under five. Families with female head of household also fared worse in terms of poverty status, of up to 26%. Retired residents, 65 and over were much better off than families with young children as well as families headed by a female. The poverty rate among the 65 and over was 10%. See Table 3 below.
Table 3: poverty distribution
Population Group | Poverty Rate in percentage | |
1950 | 2000 | |
General population | 9 | |
Retired people | 10 | |
Families headed by females | 26 |
PLACE OF WORK (16 YEARS AND OVER):
Out of a total population sample of 396; 70% worked in their state of residence and 66% worked in their county of residence. Only about 5% and 30% worked outside their county and state of residence respectively. Most of those who worked outside their state of residency perhaps worked in neighboring Kansas or Nebraska. See Table 4.
PRIVATE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP:
In a population sample of 396; 370 (93%) drive to work in a private car, truck or van with nearly three quarters of them alone. Only about 25% carpooled.
Private automobile clearly is the dominant form of transportation in Kansas City Missouri (KCMO). Public transportation is almost non-existent.
Table 4: private vehicle ownership
Mode of transportation | Population in percentage: Year 2000 |
Private vehicle | 93 |
carpooled | 25 |
Public transportation | - |
SCHOOL ENROLMENT:
School enrollment for Whites only, out of a population school, out of a population sample of 458 was 2% for grades 1 to 8; 3% for grades 9 to 12; and 6% for college. 89% were not enrolled in school.
Enrollment for Blacks was 20% for grades 1 to 8, and 11% for college. No data was reported for nursery/preschool as well as grades 9 to 12. 62% were not enrolled in any school.
School enrollment for Hispanics only, out of a population sample of 559; 2% were in nursery /preschool, 4% were in grades 1 to 8. Grades 9 through 12 and college enrollments represented 6% each of all enrollments. Almost 80% were not enrolled in school.
PER CAPITA INCOME:
The per capita income among the different ethnicities varied widely. Whites represented over $16,000, while Blacks and Hispanics together totaled ($15,000) less. Blacks alone make less than $3,000 while Hispanics made almost $12,000. Asians represented $5,000 per capita income.
Table 4: per capita income distribution
Ethnic Group | Per capita income in dollars for the year 2000 |
Whites | 16,000 |
Blacks | 3,000 |
Hispanics | 12,000 |
Asians | 5,000 |
`PART III: ANALYSIS OF THE LANDUSE PLAN.
The 20th and 21st parallel between Pennsylvania Avenue and Belleview retain both residential and industrial character. This area no doubt has been influenced by the City Beautiful movement directed by the renowned architect Frederick Law Olmsted and his Kansas City disciple George Kessler. As a result extensive parks and boulevard systems have been developed. The Observation Park off Holy Street is a product of this movement. Kansas City’s cattle industry as well as the railroads projects promoted both industrial and residential development in this area.
The government is one of the biggest actors that has altered and shaped the landscape of this region. Local and federal governments have funded and subsidized highway, industrial and housing projects since the end of World War II. Pennway Plaza near the Observation Park and West Bluff Housing Project off 23rd street, for example were both funded by the Kansas City Missouri Housing Authority. Some of these projects have interrupted street patterns, at 20th street particularly.
The Pennway Plaza has since been abandoned, perhaps a reminder of the problem of government intervention in urban planning.
The floods of 1951 nearly wiped out businesses in the Westside. Kansas City’s cattle industry and the meatpacking plants were the heaviest hit. The area of concern in this study, that the parallel of 20th street and 21st street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Belleview may not have been directly affected greatly by this 1951 flood, despite its proximity to the Westside but the area just off 23rd street over the bluff may have been severely impacted.
Kansas City’s freeway system, a brain-child of Governor Cookingham (1940-1959) comprising of I-70, I-35, I-435, Midtown Freeway and Southwest Trafficway has jointly aided the movement of people and cars from Downtown and the Central Business District to developing suburban areas such as Johnson County.
COMPARISON TO KANSAS CITY:
In comparison to the Kansas City for the year 2000 census data, Census Tract 29 has a slightly smaller percentage of Whites (78%) as compared to Kansas City’s 89%. Black population is slightly higher, 12% to that Kansas City’s 6%.
There are 418,000 housing units, greatly dwarfed by Kansas City’s 1,234, 057 housing units. But house ownership rate is higher than the data for Kansas City. 88% for census Tract 29 compared to 69% for Kansas City. The poverty rate is also lower than that of Kansas City. 9% compared to Kansas City’s 11%.
REFERENCES:
1. Kansas City census date (2000)
2. Kansas City census data (1950)
3. Sandburn maps (1925)
4. Sandburn maps (1950)
5. Sandburn maps (2000)
6. Sandburn maps (1940)
7. Focus plan
8. Kansas City master Plan
9. Westside plan
10. Greater Downtown Plan
11. Cities of Tomorrow (Hall, P 2002)
12. Building Suburbia (Hayden, D 2003)
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