Thursday, August 22, 2013

KCPS Board to Consider Sale of Westport Middle School

The Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) Board of Education will be considering the sale of the Westport Middle School site to Kansas City Sustainable Development Partners (KCSDP) for reuse as a mixed-use development at its next board meeting on Wednesday, Aug 28th. 

KCPS received four proposals for the purchase of the Westport Middle school site. After completing an assessment of the qualifications of the proposal teams and their development proposals, and factoring in the considerable community feedback gained through two rounds of proposal presentations, KCPS Administration is recommending the sale of Westport Middle to KCSDP. 

KCSDP, a partnership that includes some well-known Kansas Citians, Bob Berkebile, Butch Rigby and David Brain, proposes a historic conversion of the school building, which will include up to 100 market-rate apartments, as well as commercial space which will be primarily targeted for non-profit office space. Grounds will be used for urban farming/gardening to promote healthy living. The KCSDP proposal garnered the strongest support from local stakeholders who participated in the proposal presentations. Additional information on the proposal can be found at: http://www.kcpublicschools.org/Page/1190

If approved, closing on the sale will take place before the end of the year. KCSDP will be required to hold two public meetings in coordination with the Southmoreland, Old Hyde Park and Hyde Park neighborhood associations in advance of any City Plan Commission or Board of Zoning Adjustment hearings related to the redevelopment of the project site. This will give the neighborhood an opportunity to weigh in as the project progresses. 

The board meeting is scheduled for 6:30pm on August 28, 2013, Board of Education Building, 1211 McGee and is open to the public. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Shannon Jaax, Director, Repurposing Initiative at 418-7725 or repurposing@kcpublicschools.org.

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