The first of these focal points is to upgrade the neighbourhood core, improving the quality of life for existing residents while creating opportunities for more people to live in Armourdale. The masterplan proposes to phase out the industrial uses that pepper the residential part of the neighbourhood, converting these lots to high-quality, affordable housing or community facilities. Meanwhile, vacant lots should be constructed with new homes, access improved to healthcare, fresh food, and legal aid, and support provided to existing community organisations to expand their capacity. Physical changes to the community include building and repairing sidewalks, planting trees, and a mural programme to encourage community expression and identity.

The second focus is the commercial corridors, with three key routes through the neighbourhood selected for improvement. On these three corridors, the masterplan proposes to ban large trucks, reduce road widths, introduce cycle lanes, plant trees, and reduce parking and building setbacks, all with the goal of making these streets more walkable and improving opportunities for small businesses to thrive.

The Industrial Ring, which encircles the neighbourhood core, is the third focus. Here, the masterplan encourages to move heavy, polluting industries to a more suitable location, and encourage light industry that actively serves Kansas City’s downtown areas. The masterplan also recommends that businesses and the government work with local schools to create employment pipelines, so that in the future, more of Armourdale’s residents can work in their own neighbourhood.

The fourth area of focus, the Kansas River, builds on developments already taking place as part of a city-led improvement plan. In tandem with the river’s levées being raised for flood protection, the local government has proposed to develop a public trail with access points along the river. The Armourdale masterplan recommends a significant expansion of these proposals, with more access points, and robust community hubs with amenities, parking, and access to the river and trails. Another priority is to improve the river’s ecology, using environmental restoration strategies within the existing floodplain.

Finally, the masterplan addresses the West Bottoms, an area located to the east of the Kansas River that spans both sides of the Kansas-Missouri border. With its stronger connections to the city’s downtown in Missouri, this area was historically part of Kansas City’s stockyards, and features many historic industrial buildings. Here, the masterplan proposes a further study with a more targeted approach that considers both the Missouri and Kansas portions of the West Bottoms as a cohesive whole. This plan should aim to turn the West Bottoms into a mixed-use district focused on the public space of the Kansas River.

The masterplan document is available in full here.