We held the second public meeting for the West Pennway Streetscape project on Thursday, September 15 at the Tony Aguirre Community Center. After a short introduction by David Dowell of el dorado architects, the meeting took the form of an informal, open discussion. We printed off boards with plans and sections of our proposed streetscape design so that residents and stakeholders could walk around, see our design ideas, and ask questions. These plans and sections are posted below, along with a list of those who attended. Thanks to the stakeholders and all who came to the public meeting for a great turnout and valuable continued dialogue.

Meeting Attendees

West Pennway Streetscape Plan

West Pennway Community Plaza and Gardens

17th Street Overlook Plan

West Pennway Existing Street Section

West Pennway Section at 17th Street

West Pennway Section - 2011 Kessler

West Pennway Section - 2011 Kessler meets the Mini Missouri

West Pennway Section - Stormwater Park

West Pennway Section at 21st Street

If you have any questions you can email gavin@eldo.us or contact el dorado architects at 816-474-3838. For those who can’t make the meeting, we’ll be uploading our presentation to this site, so feel free to post your comments and we’ll respond to them.

The event has been an end-of-summer ritual in the Westside neighborhood for ten years now. First they block off West Pennway from 21st to 20th. Then they bring out the inflatables, giant slides and moon bounces for the kids. They grill hot dogs and pass out watermelon. In the late afternoon heat, with the cicadas buzzing and light filtering through the leaves, it’s easy to remember being a kid again, savoring those last few weeks before summer ended and you had to go back to school.

The event is fun, beneficial, and informative. Besides eating and playing, children who live or attend one of the four schools in the Westside can each pick up a backpack filled with school supplies. Parents browse the resource fair, where local service organizations pass out information and answer questions about things like school programs and legal aid.

el dorado took part in the resource fair. We set up a table with brochures on the West Pennway streetscape project, showing the street a hundred years ago, today, and after our streetscape improvements. We answered questions and talked with residents about what they would like to see on West Pennway. The responses were enthusiastic and the Back to School Pep Rally was, as always, a great success. Now if only we had a few more weeks of summer break left.

Thanks to all who attended the first Public Gathering for the West Pennway Streetscape Project at the Tony Aguirre Community Center. We really appreciate your feedback and your continued engagement in the project. For more information please refer to the meeting notes below and click ‘Continue Reading’ to view the slideshow presentation in its entirety.

Meeting Notes

Thanks to everyone who attended the second stakeholder meeting at Tony Aguirre Community Center on Monday, August 1st. As always, it’s incredibly valuable to hear the perspective of those who live and work on West Pennway, and we really appreciate your feedback. For more information please refer to the meeting notes below and click ‘Continue Reading’ to view the slideshow presentation in its entirety.

Meeting Notes

At the recent unveiling of the new and improved Jarboe Pool, we asked Westside residents and other Kansas Citians in attendance to tell us what they liked about West Pennway, and what they would change if they could. Here are some of the responses:

What do you like most about West Pennway?

Its historical value, large trees, and views to the west.

The sycamore trees. They provide a defining characteristic for the parkway. Shelter in the summer from the intense heat. A wonderful place for kids to play in the fall when leaves cover the ground. In the winter their enormous structure casts amazing shadows.

The community involvement.

As an avid cyclist, the scenery is ideal. I love the bike route and take it to go to the River Market.

The library – my favorite community garden.

Garden, streetscape, farm, bees, sidewalk (new), bike path, trees, the walk views, airplanes, walking.

The variety of things to do, especially the pool. It’s a place that all ages can enjoy.

Nice, clean area.

What would you change about West Pennway if you could?

Make sure it is linked to the city. Wide trail plan so families could bike to park.

Pedestrian lights along street so it is connected to Southwest Boulevard

Preserve its historical value.

The street is too wide. It’s not safe for kids to cross. Vehicles drive fast, sometimes using it as a highway to go around downtown via Beardsley Road. If not the entire length, at least portions of the parkway could be narrowed. Maybe at intersections where people cross.

Sidewalks and street debris

Nothing. But keep maintaining its excellence!
Sidewalks need to be fixed. Water leak on library lawn. Lighting on the east side of the street.

Usage of the vacant buildings, more flowers, east side of street is not new; needs fixing. Bike path. More bees. Lighting on the east side to complement west side of street.

It’s pretty great now. A water slide or spray area would be fun. Lots of table and places to eat or sit in the shade. Thanks for a wonderful park!

More parking.

The first Stakeholder Meeting for the West Pennway Streetscape Project took place on June 14th at Irene H. Ruiz Biblioteca de las Americas. Thanks to all those who attended for your professional support, valuable input and insightful discussion. For more information please refer to the meeting notes below and click ‘Continue Reading’ to view the slideshow presentation in its entirety.

Meeting Notes