How can the City further encourage smaller-scale, incremental redevelopment in our neighborhoods? 

Ensure zoning and building codes allow for flexible land use, such as mixed-use zoning. Streamline the permitting process and providing financial incentives like tax abatements or grants can make it easier for property owners and developers to undertake smaller-scale projects. Engage the community through town hall meetings and workshops to ensure that the redevelopment aligns with the community’s needs. Additionally, supporting small businesses, facilitating collaboration between stakeholders, and promoting adaptive reuse of existing buildings contribute to the revitalization of neighborhoods.

In the 1940 city limits, we have half the population we used to have. Do you believe repopulating the urban core is a critical priority?

Yes but not to the exclusion of the development of other areas of the city.

Many developers planning to offer affordable housing are experiencing financial gaps in their capital stack, hindering their ability to proceed with construction. Kansas City has built the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help close this gap. Does the fund adequately address developers’ concerns? If not, how would you address this issue?

I think the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is a great start but it is unlikely that it can ever be adequately capitalized by taxpayers or developers to create the level of affordable housing needed in the city. I am open to exploring options to identify other sources of funding to incentivize affordable housing.

How do you believe the affordable housing set-aside standards have impacted new housing development? How would you increase affordable housing in Kansas City?

My understanding is that the set-asides effectively eliminated incentivized housing development proposals. I will look to find alternative programs to incentivize affordable housing development. The Northland is in dire need of workforce housing.

Transit-oriented community (TOC) projects create compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality transit systems. This development approach alleviates concerns your constituents may have about accessing services and the cost of living. How would you promote and support providing transit-oriented community developments to Kansas City residents?

I support TOC projects generally but also recognize that many areas of the Northland will not support the density necessary for a citywide transit-oriented program. After spending months meeting with Northland voters, most are supportive of individual projects that are pedestrian-oriented, community- based, mixed-use developments.

Crime is affecting Kansas City’s reputation on a national scale. While violent crime makes the headlines, an increase in property crime is impacting our residents and businesses. What are some specific and measurable ways with which you would address crime? (We are looking for your concrete ideas, not general positions on funding or philosophy.)

Without local control of the police department, it is impossible to impact policing directly. The shortage of personnel across KCPD hampers crime prevention and solving existing crimes. A measurable goal is to reduce the staffing shortage by 50% in 2 years, but this is not directly within the Council’s control. A key component to crime reduction must include low- or no-barrier shelters and a coordinated system of mental health and addiction services. I would support the creation of a city office to develop a relationship with existing community-based mental health and addiction services and to serve as a liaison for such services.

If elected, what issue will define your term?

Developing relationships and trust between council members, community leaders and residents to allow collaborative problem-solving for issues across the city. There are common problems among council districts and unique problems within districts. By committing to a common goal of improving all areas of the city, we can continue to move our city forward.