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

I’m a big believer in long range strategic planning and see that as a tool for this type of work. Working with our neighborhoods, community leaders, and the Neighborhood Services Department to create strategic Community Area Master Plans that would drive beautification projects and incremental development. Identify target areas that the City can invest Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support these strategic Community Area Master Plans. Rehabilitating homes and buildings and blighted areas, creating community gardens and small parks from blighted lots with natural alternatives such as low maintenance native plantings. Establish a nucleus of developers, specifically small local developers, who are interested and want to invest and develop the areas incrementally. Supporting this nucleus or network with the tools and mentorship needed. I also think there needs to be more alignment with economic development officials, City Hall and the development community that reflects smaller-scale, incremental redevelopment as a priority.

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?

Absolutely. In addition to the fact that repopulating the urban core is a top strategy for placemaking, it’s also extremely important for growing the city’s overall tax base. We must increase our population so that we can spread the financial impact of taking care of our city’s infrastructure and basic services needs.

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?

The fund is one piece of this puzzle but it is not the entire picture. Put simply, government processes and requirements cannot make it untenable to develop affordable housing. The longer it takes a project to get approval, the more likely it is that the costs associated with the project increases. I will also use my role on the City Council to advocate for more tools like Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

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

I believe unintended consequences of the affordable housing set aside standards is leading to more expensive development projects rather than more affordable housing units. This is pushing development out of our City. This has been shown by a lack of housing developer applications in Kansas City and an increase in cities surrounding. We need reevaluate how Kansas City calculates its affordability data and target data exclusively from within the city limits of Kansas City. This also cannot be a blanketed approach. What it takes to add affordable or attainable housing in one area of the city may look completely different in another area of the City. We need a comprehensive approach that accounts for and reflects the diverse neighborhoods all across our city. Overall, we cannot make it untenable to build more affordable and workforce housing. We should also ensure our land use policies provide the housing supply necessary to keep pace with demand for more affordable housing. A housing market that provides more choice and variety helps all residents. This can also be an area to work with small local developers that want to invest in our city by rehabilitating homes, buildings, and blighted areas for affordable 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 see TOD as an innovative and crucial strategy for building resilient and connected communities. My background in city planning has given me a firsthand perspective and understanding of this. As a Councilwoman I would strive to implement policies and support projects that reflect TOD/TOC and foster connectivity, including new development. Connected communities and neighborhoods with a focus on walkability, placemaking, transit and micro-mobility options, ADA and inclusive infrastructure, complete streets, diverse housing options, green infrastructure, parks and trails, amenities, jobs, and safety.

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.)

Property crime can be addressed by more infill development and beautification projects (vacant areas tend to have more property crime than vibrant ones), increased lighting on our streets (citizen satisfaction surveys show that better lit streets make residents feel more safe), and more programs like the Downtown Council Ambassadors.

If elected, what issue will define your term?

My platform focuses on housing security, equitable development, safe and healthy neighborhoods, and basic city services. However, I understand that without strong consensus-building skills, nothing gets done at City Hall. I think the issue that will define my term is my ability to listen and bring people together. I feel strongly that leaders should bring people together to solve problems rather than create division. As an active listener, problem solver, and common-sense coalition builder, my proven ability to work collectively to achieve goals and develop good public policy will make me an effective Councilwoman.