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Home My Public Portal About2040 Parkville Master Plan - Section 4 Our Plan Focus Area 1104 Parkville 2040 Master Plan OUR PLAN4Section Parkville, Missouri 105 I. OUR PLAN OVERVIEW........................................................................ II. FOCUS AREA 1 - COMMUNITY CHARACTER...................................... III. FOCUS AREA 2 - SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT........... IV. FOCUS AREA 3 - TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.......... V. FOCUS AREA 4 - STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT..................................... VI. FOCUS AREA 5 - GROWING WITH A PURPOSE................................. 106 108 128 148 176 190 106 Parkville 2040 Master Plan Section 4: Your Plan is composed of five main Focus Areas that address all the major components of the Master Plan. The Guiding Principles discussed in the introduction will be highlighted throughout this section as they relate to the various focus areas. These focus areas were developed with all of the public feedback and input taken into consideration. FOCUS AREAS 1 2 3 4 5 Community Character Community Character includes all those things that separate Parkville from other communities and make it distinct within the region. Sustainability and the Environment Sustainability and the Environment reviews the sensitive environmental areas that should be protected, identifies ways to be more sustainable and considers the role of parks in the community. Transportation & Infrastructure Transportation and infrastructure is the beating heart of a community that provide the needed connections, and services to residents and businesses. Strategic Development Strategic Development will meet the demands for housing and services in the community while also enhancing the overall character of Parkville. Growing with a Purpose Growing with a Purpose covers the Future Land Use and Annexation Strategy for Parkville. OUR PLAN OVERVIEW Parkville, Missouri 107 108 Parkville 2040 Master Plan Community Character includes all those things that separate Parkville from other communities and make it distinct within the region. A community’s character incorporates the brandable image and marketing efforts that help define a community which also includes perceptions from residents, visitors and outsiders. Parkville is known for its quaint and historic downtown, rolling topography, open green spaces and important commercial centers, all within close proximity to downtown Kansas City. The Community Character focus area will identify the major opportunities and challenges facing Parkville’s character and identify strategies to preserve what is loved about the community balanced with the growth and continual enhancement of the various commercial centers, residential neighborhoods, key corridors and the downtown district. COMMUNITY CHARACTERFOCUS AREAS FOCUS AREA 1 Parkville, Missouri 109 Community Sustainability Community Character Environmental Stewardship Civic and Open Spaces Integrated Land Uses Transportation Housing 2040 GUIDING PRINCIPLES Community Character relates to all of the 2040 Guiding Principles. Most directly, it relates to the Community Character principle but each and every one of the principles shown to the right effect the overall character of the community. Integrated Land Uses determines the type of development that is appropriate throughout the city. Civic and Open Spaces add to the quality of life for Parkville residents and provide needed greenery and interaction with nature which is important to the health and wellness of citizens. Transportation is the network that links the community together and the scale and aesthetic quality of transportation corridors affect the character of Parkville. The Downtown Old-District is the primary source of imagery and reputation for Parkville; in that sense preserving the existing character and allowing for appropriate new development is crucial when considering community character. As a predominantly single-family residential city, the addition of new types of Housing and the character of those units will play a role in the community character. Finally, Community Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship relate to the sustainable practices and policies that the city can implement which includes everything from stream and tree canopy preservation to the implementation of green infrastructure all of which relate to the community character. COMMUNITY CHARACTER RELATIONSHIP TO THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES Downtown Old-Town District 110 Parkville 2040 Master Plan 45 152 29 435 Promote inﬁll along established corridors between emerging western area and existing eastern area of Parkville Analyze targeted annexation opportunities Downtown Parkville Historic Downtown Neighborhood Downtown Commercial Center Parkville Commons Commercial Center Creekside Commercial Center Park University Riverfront Trail extension Partner with Platte County to extend Riverfront Trail to the west Partner with Platte County to extend Greenway north to Tiﬀany Springs Park Riss Lake Miss o u r i R i v e r Weatherby Lake Lake Waukomis Wyandotte County Lake Tiﬀany Springs Park Brush Cree k Study feasibility of additional streamway trail facilities Establish Brush Creek Greenway Future trail Extension Utilize utility ROW for future trail connection 45 COMMUNITY CHARACTER COMMUNITY CHARACTERSTRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES The Strategic Opportunities map and the items listed below represent the major Community Character strategic opportunities that correspond to physical and visual improvements within the city of Parkville. • Enhance existing roadway corridors through streetscape improvements focusing on pedestrian and bicycle amenities and connectivity. • Analyze targeted annexation opportunities to strengthen community connections along Highway 45 (see Section 5: Growing With A Purpose). • Implement additional trailways to provide better connections from one side of Parkville to another, utilizing streamway and overhead utility ROW corridors for these amenities. • Implement Major Gateways at major entrances into the community. Many comments received during the planning process indicated a lack of understanding of when you are actually within the city of Parkville or not. Gateway elements will assist in the overall identity and awareness of Parkville. 1.0 Figure 4.00 Parkville Strategic Opportunities Map Parkville, Missouri 111 DOWNTOWN Downtown Parkville is a highly valued district within the city and is often regarded as one of Parkville’s greatest strengths and assets. Located along the rolling hillsides that slope down to the Missouri River, downtown Parkville is a recognizable area of the city that lends an identity of historic quaintness and charm. It’s location along the banks of the Missouri River makes it unique within the immediate Kansas City metropolitan region as a river town that owes much of it’s history and character to it’s prominent location along one of the United State’s most important waterways. One of the major concerns with downtown Parkville today is the frequency of traffic congestion and dangerous road conditions for all different users. Highway FF and Highway 9 intersect in a confusing and confined area which has caused many crashes over the years. Additionally, convenient parking for customers is also a need for Main Street businesses as the angled parking along the corridor is often full and the nearest surface parking lots are located a distance away, near English Landing Park. Currently, downtown Parkville is characterized by an abundance of small, locally-owned shops and restaurants. These establishments add to the charm and quaintness of the downtown district and are a source of pride for the community. The city should continue to support locally-owned businesses by listening to their concerns and working collaboratively to solve them as possible. To further enhance the downtown area, the city should balance the needs of adjacent businesses while exploring enhancements to the streetscape to improve the areas available for pedestrian use. These enhancements could include exploring opportunities to widen existing sidewalks, define on-street parking areas at intersections with curb bump-outs to expand the pedestrian space, provide energy-efficient pedestrian and street lighting. replace existing concrete pavers with new pavement and decorative clay pavers, provide consistent site furnishings, introduce street trees and landscape enhancements for beautification and shade, and implement a historic/educational signage program for storytelling and as a strong placemaking element. Park University is a major presence in downtown Parkville and represents another iconic element to the city that many people identify with. This important education institution could be better integrated into the fabric of downtown Parkville with more student-oriented services and retail opportunities. The city should continue working closely with the business owners and the university to collaborate in the creation of creative strategies that encourage interaction in ways that benefit all. See the strategic opportunities map on the following page. 112 Parkville 2040 Master Plan COMMUNITY CHARACTER 5 Study feasibility of additional streamway trail facilities Ma i n S t r e e t 12th Stre e t 6th Street Downtown Parkville Parkville Train StationEas t S t r e e t Explore opportunity for roundabout at 1st St. and Hwy. 9 Park University Pocket Park Parkville Nature Sanctuary Watkins Park Adams Park Sullivan Nature SanctuaryPlatte Landing Park English Landing Park Future Trail Connection Future Trail Connection 1 2 4 Bell Road Extension 3 Enhance connection between English Landing Park and future trail amenity Future Transit Routes Hwy. 9 Corridor Improvements Future Trail Connections Existing Trails Streetscape Improvement Opportunities Downtown Gateway Opportunity Downtown Marker Neighborhood Marker Existing Parks / Open Space Downtown Mixed-Use Land Use City Land Use Low-Density Residential Land Use Legend Historic Trail / Sites 2 Banniker School Main Street District Parkville Farmers’ Market Parkville Train Station Missouri Riverfront 1 3 4 5 Downtown Boundary Park University DOWNTOWN Figure 4.01 Downtown Strategic Opportunities Map Parkville, Missouri 113 DOWNTOWNSTRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES 1.1 Much like the overall Community Character Strategic Opportunities Map, a similar approach was taken specific to Downtown Parkville based on all the feedback received from the community and city leaders. This exercise helped the planning team think holistically about the series of individual ideas, concerns, challenges and opportunities in Downtown Parkville. • Implement improvements identified in the Highway 9 plan to include complete street components along this vital corridor. • Continue to study the feasibility of bringing a transit line north along Highway 9 with the possibility of one or more transit stops located at key intersections. Additionally, the development of a transit hub in downtown Parkville should also be explored. • Implement trail connection from Highway 9 - north, to 12th Street and Parkville Nature Sanctuary. • Enhance trail connection from English Landing Park to future trail extension across Highway 9, ideally creating a highly-visible and safe pedestrian / bicycle crossing. • Study the feasibility of developing an additional trail connection from Platte Landing Park along existing streamway corridor to points west of downtown. • Implement a historic trail with placemaking elements throughout downtown Parkville to include wayfinding signage, informational signage and organized programming. • Improve the Highway 9 / East Street / 1st Street intersection. Possibilities include a roundabout that could also serve as an enhanced gateway to downtown and a catalyst for redevelopment. • Implement system of downtown and neighborhood markers as indicated on the downtown strategic opportunities map to add a sense of place and unique character to the historic downtown core. • Streetscape improvements along Main Street and east/west connecting streets to Highway 9 should be implemented to enhance the pedestrian experience and should include amenities such as lighting, seating, landscaping, paving materials, wayfinding signage and public art. • Continue to study the extension and expansion of Bell Road from Parkville Commons to include multi-modal capacity to provide an additional north / south connection within the community. • Implement additional downtown gateway signage along Route FF and on Highway 9 (north of downtown). 114 Parkville 2040 Master Plan COMMUNITY CHARACTER COHESIVE & UNIFIED COMMUNITY JANE CITY LIMITS MAP Figure 4.02 Aerial Base Map, Parkville, Missouri Parkville City Limits Nearby City Limits County Line 100-year floodplain Park & Conservation Area Golf Course Missouri River Parkville has historically developed on the east side of the community extending northward from the downtown/riverfront and moving west along Tom Watson Parkway. In conjunction with a proposed development plan by the property owner, Parkville annexed a significant amount of land along Interstate 435 in 2000. This annexation greatly expanded the footprint of the community. While there are significant portions of this area along the interstate that remain unimproved, there are new areas of commercial and residential growth occurring near the intersection of Interstate 435 and Highway 45 / Tom Watson Parkway. One challenge for Parkville as this new area of town continues to develop will be to ensure the efficient provision of city services to this emerging area, and to ensure new residents and business owners feel connected to and a part of the City of Parkville. One way to achieve this is by promoting infill growth along established corridors between this emerging western area of development and the existing eastern area of development within Parkville. This new development can eventually serve to bridge the gap between Parkville’s established boundaries with unincorporated Platte County along the 45 Highway corridor. A large portion of the area between the east and west sides of Parkville is either impacted by floodplain along the River Road corridor or contains areas of steeply wooded terrain that may be more difficult for medium to large scale development. These areas are also dotted with homes on acreage, making land assembly for future development more challenging. Along the 45 Highway corridor, these two areas of Parkville will likely be separated for many years until future development and annexation activities may eventually connect the two. In the meantime, the city should maintain a long-term view to ensuring a cohesive level of quality and character for the physical environments created in both areas. Through careful planning and coordination, a unifying sense of place can be created through action that address the following: - Connecting the Community - Cohesive Look and Feel - Community Pride and Events Parkville, Missouri 115 STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.2 COHESIVE & UNIFIED COMMUNITY Connecting the Community Making sure Parkville has good vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity will be a key component of providing a unified community. The east and west sides of Parkville are connected through two main roads: 45 Highway and NW River Road. The 45 Highway / Tom Watson Parkway is the more developed route. Some portions of the corridor are not within Parkville city limits, which decreases the control the community has over its development. Parkville should continue to enhance the existing roadway corridors that connect the community. Streetscape improvements including sidewalk and trail expansion as well as targeted annexation policies can help strengthen the connection along this key corridor. The community should encourage the integration of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure into streetscapes to serve the existing and future needs of the community. As Parkville grows, there are opportunities to use existing stream corridors as a place to enhance connectivity through stream adjacent trails. Existing utility easements are another possible location for these trail connections. This connectivity has the added benefit of being an in demand amenity as open spaces and trails have become increasingly popular due to the pandemic. • Enhance 45 Highway corridor through streetscape improvements focusing on pedestrian and bicycle amenities and connectivity. • Strategically annex land along 45 Highway to control the look and feel of Parkville. • Adopt a stream buffer ordinance to secure conservation corridors that could also serve as trail connections. • Promote infill growth along established corridors between the emerging western area of development and the more established eastern area of development within Parkville. Create and maintain strong connectivity throughout Parkville 116 Parkville 2040 Master Plan Cohesive Look and Feel Not every part of Parkville needs or should look exactly the same. However, having cohesive design standards, signage and other identifying features can help to promote a sense of place. People should know they are in Parkville and signage and quality building design standards and materials can help orient people. Streetscape standards are another way to help residents feel a sense of place. Recently, Parkville has added gateway signage along 9 Highway as you arrive in Downtown Parkville near Park University. This signage could be used as a precedent for signage used throughout the community elsewhere over time. COHESIVE & UNIFIED COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CHARACTER STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.3 • Adopt enhanced design standards for new and redevelopment in Parkville to promote quality design and aesthetics. Maintain a cohesive look and feel in Parkville Parkville, Missouri 117 Community Pride + Events One non-physical way to increase a sense of unified community would be to work to increase community pride and connection among residents. This can be accomplished though several methods, but one important way is through community events. Parkville has many existing community events specifically hosted in the downtown including the Farmers Market, 5k and 10k runs, parades, beer festivals, Christmas in the park, Fourth of July, and car shows. Efforts should be made to encourage new residents to attend existing community events in the historic parts of Parkville. Additionally, new community events should be planned in the newer areas of Parkville, such as the Creekside Development, as it grows to bring neighbors from all over Parkville together. These events can create connections between neighbors and instill a sense of community pride. COHESIVE & UNIFIED COMMUNITY STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.4 • Continue to sponsor and promote community-wide events to increase community pride and social connection. • Identify community events to take place in new areas of Parkville (Creekside or other) to promote interaction between new and more established residents. Promote community pride through existing and new community-wide events 118 Parkville 2040 Master Plan COMMERCIAL CENTERS The major commercial centers in Parkville are primarily located along 45 Highway/Tom Watson Parkway, near the intersection with Highway 9. The centers along this corridor are a mix of small commercial centers, pad retail sites, larger format retail and pedestrian-oriented retail spaces. Parkville Commons is a major commercial center that incorporates a wide variety of retail as well as civic-oriented facilities. In addition to the Platte County Community Center and YMCA, the Parkville City Hall is also located within the commons, both of which represent important civic assets that bring in consistent vehicle and foot traffic. The current configuration and layout of Parkville Commons presents some challenges in terms of visibility and access. Many businesses within the interior of the center, along the walkable street and parking areas, have anecdotally seen a higher rate of turnover and are less likely to attract purely retail tenants. The lack of visibility from surrounding arterial streets, and the lack of traffic flow through these portions of the center likely contribute to this condition. As such, many of the businesses located there today are more service-oriented which often are less frequently visited and don’t rely on ‘window-shoppers’ to survive. These types of businesses are important to the overall quality of life in Parkville as they offer needed services such as small retail stores, that encourage walking throughout the center and from storefront to storefront. The businesses located closer to Highways 9 and 45 are pad-site retail with gas stations, fast food, fast-casual with ample parking and access from both the highways and from the internal street networks. Price Chopper is also located in this center and represents a large commercial grocery store that brings a consistent high volume of patrons to this area. Other smaller commercial centers are dotted along Highway 45 as it extends further to the west but the zig-zagging nature of Parkville’s city limits and challenging terrain, prevent any kind of consistent retail frontage along the entirety of the corridor. Downtown Parkville also represents a vitally important commercial center that is highlighted by the prevalence of small locally-owned businesses. Collectively, the Downtown Parkville retail and business establishments are what lend the entire community its identity as a quaint and charming city. The character and scale of retail businesses, as well as restaurants and cafes, should be retained and supported as much as possible. COMMUNITY CHARACTER Parkville, Missouri 119 COMMERCIAL CENTERS Creekside is another major commercial center being planned and constructed at the Highway 45 / Interstate 435 interchange. This development represents a major new mixed-use district within the community that will bring a range of land uses to the western end of Parkville which is currently mostly undeveloped. A development of this scale brings many opportunities to the City of Parkville in the form of new residences and commercial activity. As Parkville continues to expand its population westward, this area of the city will represent a new hub of activity for those future residents. With easy access off of I-435 and the continuing expansion of the greater Kansas City metro, the Creekside development is well positioned to be an anchor of Parkville for decades to come. Due to the scale and density of this development, concerns have been raised over time about the impact that Creekside will have on the adjacent neighborhoods and arterial roadways. The strategic opportunities for Parkville Commons, Downtown Parkville and Creekside are listed to the right. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.5 • Work with Parkville Commons property owner to develop strategy to supports increased residential densities within and adjacent to this district to increase traffic and visibility to interior retail and service tenants while maintaining walkable character of the commercial center. • Actively work to maintain Downtown Parkville’s abundance of small and locally-owned businesses that add to the character of charm of the district while also encouraging new residential, hospitality and destination-oriented retail, restaurants and entertainment uses. • Leverage the opportunities that the Creekside development will bring to the city of Parkville to expand retail and housing options while ensuring there is a consistent level of quality, visual character and aesthetic design. Ensure important commercial nodes of Parkville remain resilient, active and vibrant 120 Parkville 2040 Master Plan HOUSING COMMUNITY CHARACTER Parkville’s housing stock is generally very high quality. Figures 4.03 and 4.04 show the estimated number of owner-occupied homes by value range and the median home value in Parkville and neighboring communities. The quality of homes in Parkville are an established part of its community character. Largely, the housing stock in Parkville is composed of single-family detached homes with limited multi-family options. The community survey available at the interactive engagement website asked respondents to list the housing priorities for Parkville. Figure 4.05 shows the results. A common theme in the results is the need for more housing choices. Housing choice diversity, is one area where Parkville could improve. Housing choice or diversity allows for residents of different ages, incomes and lifestyles to live within the community more easily. Housing diversity does not mean that the character of Parkville’s housing has to suffer. High standards for multi- family housing materials and design, alongside strategic placement of multi-family options will allow Parkville to maintain its housing character while also providing housing for younger and older residents not looking for a single-family detached home or families new to town looking for a temporary transitional home. Park University students could also benefit from added housing choices. 0 100k 200k 300k 400k 500k Parkville Weatherby Lake Platte Woods Lake Waukomis Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Kansas Shawnee, Kansas Overland Park, Kansas Olathe, Kansas KC Metro Missouri Kansas United States $411,600 $367,100 $238,500 $246,800 $154,600 $95,600 $237,500 $276,100 $238,100 $183,300 $157,200 $151,900 $217,500 Figure 4.04 Median Home Value Comparison (2019) Figure 4.03 Owner-Occupied Housing Values (2019) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Less than $50,000 $50,000 to $99,999 $100,000 to $149,999 $150,000 to $199,999 $200,000 to $299,999 $300,000 to $499,999 $500,000 to $999,999 $1,000,000 or more 3.8% 21.7% 45.7% 16.0% 8.3% 3.5% 1.0% 0.0%Creating a variety of housing types - 28% More affordable housing - 26% Existing home rehabilitation / improvement - 23% New single-family detached homes - 7% None / Nothing - 7% Senior housing - 5% High-end housing - 4% Figure 4.05 Public Survey Responses - Housing Choices STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.6 • Support the development of multi-family housing options in key areas of Parkville as identified on the future land use map. • Create and adopt enhanced design guidelines for multi-family housing that require certain standards for design, placement, buffers and building materials. • Continue to work with existing landlords in Parkville remains safe, functional and well- maintained. Maintain a quality housing stock that provides quality choices for residents Parkville, Missouri 121 Existing home rehabilitation / improvement - 23% COMMUNITY FOR ALL AGES Community For All Ages is a program sponsored by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) that recognizes communities that have taken steps to become more welcoming to residents of all ages and, in the process, more vibrant, healthy and prosperous. The City of Parkville currently is designated as a Bronze Level community which involves the adoption of a resolution to become an official Community for All Ages, a presentation to governing bodies on becoming age friendly and at least two public engagement activities to build greater awareness of the program. It is the goal of the City of Parkville to work towards the gold level designation for the Community for All Ages but will need to obtain the silver level prior to that step. The silver level will require the city to form a Community for All Ages committee of community members and to use the program’s checklist to assess the community’s current issues and issue a report based on their findings. This plan recommends that Parkville continue to pursue this effort to improve the quality of life for residents and be known throughout the Kansas City region as a community that supports a diverse population. For more information on this program, visit the Community For All Ages webpage on the MARC website. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.7 • Continue to pursue the silver level status in the Community For All Ages program by forming a community-based committee to assess the current conditions in Parkville and issue and report on the findings. • Once the silver level has been obtained, pursue the gold level designation to improve the quality of life for Parkville residents. • Maintain Community For All Ages designation by investing in any necessary infrastructure, services and programming identified in the Community For All Ages plan. Strive to be a community for all ages and abilities through the Community for All Ages program 122 Parkville 2040 Master Plan COMMUNITY CHARACTER NATURAL FEATURES Natural Features Parkville’s history is tied to its relationship with the nearby natural features - primarily the Missouri River and the steep terrain of the area. The community has been able to embrace these ties as a means of community character and identity. The river and accompanying floodplain have helped keep the riverfront area of Parkville as mainly park and open space. English Landing Park and Platte Landing Park are popular amenities for residents that also help to protect the community from property damage due to flooding. Parkville’s terrain has required that development take place at a slower, measured pace. The hills and tree cover of these areas have also enabled Parkville to have a unique look and feel that is different than other Kansas City metro suburbs. The opportunities and limitations of Parkville’s natural features should continue to be drivers of its community character and identity as the community grows (See Figure 4.12 on Page 33 for Slope Analysis). The floodplains within Parkville should be left undeveloped and hills, streams, and tree cover should help define the pace and type of development that occurs - preserving these natural features as much as possible by integrating them into the site design. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.8 • Continue to preserve natural features as Parkville develops by integrating them into the site design as an amenity. Preserve Parkville’s natural features as it grows Parkville, Missouri 123 Park University, a major liberal arts college located in downtown Parkville, is a major presence and influence on the character and functionality of the downtown district. In addition to the iconic and majestic campus buildings located on the hillside of downtown Parkville, an expansive underground network of classrooms and parking translates into several thousands of square feet of educational spaces. The college has a current enrollment of around 9,500 students with the majority of those located on the main campus in Parkville. Discussions surrounding Park University throughout the planning process primarily focused on ensuring continuing collaboration between university leaders and the City of Parkville. Both groups understand the importance each jurisdiction is to one another and should continue to work closely to leverage each other’s influence to collectively help the community. One topic that should be considered is how more student-oriented services could be incorporated into the downtown fabric. Being a suburban commuter-oriented campus, downtown Parkville has an opportunity to capture more activity from both students and facility in terms of retail and services. PARK UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.9 • Ensure continued collaboration between Park University, downtown Parkville and the City of Parkville. • Encourage the ability for student-oriented services / retail in downtown Parkville to better integrate the student population and the land uses of the downtown district. Continue to foster a strong working relationship with Park University 124 Parkville 2040 Master Plan CONVENIENT LOCATION COMMUNITY CHARACTER Parkville has a very convenient location for both residents and businessowners. The proximity to the riverfront, rolling hills, tree cover and historic downtown all help to make Parkville feel like a natural enclave with a unique sense of place and character. However, Parkville residents can also enjoy all the benefits of more dense, urban living with only a short drive. Figure 4.06 shows the 15- and 20-minute drive time map for Parkville. The drive-time service area shows Parkville’s easy access to many amenities and job centers. Within 15-minutes Parkville residents or employees can get to the Kansas City International Airport or Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Within 20-minutes, residents and businessowners can access many of the suburban job centers located in Johnson County, Kansas. Parkville is also well situated within the transportation system as a whole. As Interstate 435 continues to develop, retail and industrial businesses should find this expressway offers convenient access to the entire metro area and beyond. Parkville should continue to market this attractive community feature to residential and non- residential development opportunities. Figure 4.06 15 and 30 Minute Drive-TIme Boundaries 15 MINUTES 30 MINUTES POINT OF ORIGIN STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.10 • Continue to market Parkville’s location and accessibility for possible residents and businessowners. • Maintain an efficient street system that balances access and safety in and out of Parkville. • Enhance the roadway network and connectivity to reduce over reliance on major arterials. Promote and protect Parkville’s convenient location and accessibility Parkville, Missouri 125 Every city has a story to tell and Parkville’s story is one of a riverside community that since 1840 has transitioned from a small landing for goods being shipped from Kansas City to a village, town and eventually the city of today. Early on in Parkville’s history, several businesses arose along Main Street including a general store, shoe store, grocery, hardware, blacksmith shop and two hotels. Many of the buildings along Main Street today, are those same historic structures. Park University has been a foundational and iconic element to the City of Parkville since its founding in 1875. As the city grew in population, so too did the city’s boundaries and with modern transportation, the neighborhoods eventually expanded north and westward and today, many single-family neighborhoods supply most of Parkville’s population. The history of Parkville should be celebrated and told in a unique and comprehensive way. Notable places such as the Banniker School, the Missouri Riverfront, Main Street and others, should all be connected through the use of a history trail. The trail can be curated by the city or a nonprofit organization and hold regular events and tours to build awareness. Interpretive signage and wayfinding elements will be an important consideration for the trail to be successful and understandable. This plan recommends the planning and implementation of a Parkville History Trail. CELEBRATE HISTORY STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.11 • Implement a historic trail with placemaking elements throughout downtown Parkville to include wayfinding signage, informational signage and organized programming. • Develop program to incentivize the renovation and preservation of important historic sites in Parkville including the Banniker School. Celebrate Parkville’s history 126 Parkville 2040 Master Plan NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION COMMUNITY CHARACTER As a growing community, Parkville will need to set in place safeguards to ensure that older homes in the community do not become neglected over time. Compared to other communities, Parkville is at an advantage because the housing stock is generally very high quality. Older homes, however, will continue to have their challenges and efforts to protect older neighborhoods should be explored. There are several ways cities can achieve neighborhood preservation. Cities will sometimes work to identify areas for targeted improvement efforts through the integration of special signage, street furniture, street tree planting programs or other streetscape improvements that improve the sense of place in a neighborhood. Another option is to offer a revolving loan fund or incentive program for home improvement and modernization of older homes to compete with the newer models and the associated amenities and benefits. Currently, Parkville’s Title IV: Development Code has appendices containing Old Town Residential Design Guidelines; the purpose of which is to preserve the charm and historic character of residential neighborhoods near our downtown. Any neighborhood preservation efforts would need to work within the design guidelines included within the code. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.12 • Create a grant or program to help financially incentivize home improvement and modernization for older homes in Parkville. • Continue to follow the Old Town Residential Design Guidelines to help preserve the look and feel of Parkville’s older homes. • Explore opportunities to integrate street tree planting programs throughout existing neighborhoods to provide shade, visual continuity and natural beauty. Preserve Parkville’s historic neighborhoods Parkville, Missouri 127 STREETSCAPES & SIGNAGE Streetscapes provide an opportunity for the public realm and street environments to accommodate amenities and aesthetic improvements for all users. Parkville is blessed with an intact core downtown district that offers space for both pedestrians and vehicles but certain corridors through the downtown district, such as Highway 9 and many of the small streets that connect that main arterial with Main Street, lack sufficient pedestrian and placemaking amenities for a pleasant and comfortable walking or biking experience. The map to the right indicates key streets and corridors where streetscaping improvements would make a beneficial impact on the overall built environment of downtown Parkville. The Highway 9 Corridor Plan was completed in 2016 and recommends a combination of pedestrian, bicycle, landscaping and signage improvements as well as lane reallocations to improve vehicular safety. In addition to those improvements, amenities are recommended to be added along the entirety of Main Street from the northern terminus at Highway 9, south to East Street. Amenities to be considered include updated lighting, seating, landscaping, paving materials, wayfinding signage and public art. All improvements should fit in with the character of the downtown core and work to promote safety and a pleasant walking, biking and driving environment for all downtown Parkville users. 5 Study feasibility of additional streamway trail facilities Ma i n S t r e e t 12th Stre e t 6th Street Downtown Parkville Parkville Train StationEas t S t r e e t Explore opportunity for roundabout at 1st St. and Hwy. 9 Park University Pocket Park Parkville Nature Sanctuary Watkins Park Adams Park Sullivan Nature SanctuaryPlatte Landing Park English Landing Park Future Trail Connection Future Trail Connection 1 2 4 Bell Road Extension 3 Enhance connection between English Landing Park and future trail amenity STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY 1.13 • Perform streetscape enhancements along corridors as identified in the Strategic Opportunities map. • Expand gateway signage at key entryways into Parkville as identified on the Strategic Opportunities map. • Identify a unique street signage that can be implemented on neighborhood streets in Parkville to enhance the unified sense of place. Enhance Parkville’s character through its streetscape + signage Figure 4.07 Downtown Streetscape Enhancements