RAISE Grant Invests $21.5 Million in Excelsior Springs Infrastructure

*Artist’s rendering of a new pedestrian bridge crossing 69 Hwy. (Courtesy Becca Pruett, Vireo)*

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) has awarded $21.5 million dollars in grant funding to the City of Excelsior Springs for the Safe Streets and Sidewalks Infrastructure project. The project, which has been in development for nearly a decade, will bring transformational infrastructure changes to our city, connecting the community, enhancing business opportunities, and making travel safer for everyone. The grant funds will be used to construct roadway and intersection improvements, sidewalks and shared-use paths, and enhancement of streetscapes. According to city officials, the Safe Streets and Sidewalks project will create jobs while making amenities more accessible. The $21.5 Million grant was the largest awarded in the state of Missouri and seventh overall throughout the nation.

Excelsior Springs City Manager Molly McGovern said that the Safe Streets & Sidewalks Project is a result of two separate grassroots efforts within the community both seeking similar outcomes. She said, “families expressed an overwhelming need for sidewalks and traffic improvements on the west side of Excelsior Springs due to traffic conflicts between cars and pedestrians before and after school.”

At that same time, the Chamber of Commerce was evaluating ways to get travelers and community members to more frequently visit businesses on the west side of the community. In the fall of 2018, the Chamber of Commerce formed the Westside Committee to evaluate needs within the west side business district, “including the need for visual, and functional improvements to capture consumer spending,” which are all addressed by this project. West side business owner Mike Anderson of Chuck Anderson Ford was elated to see the project moving forward.

“I am so excited to hear that Excelsior Springs received this… The west side is the first impression one gets coming from the Kansas City area. It will not only make for safer travel for pedestrians but will beautify the impression people get when entering our city… our citizens deserve this!” he exclaimed.

The City of Excelsior Springs spent an extended period researching and planning the project, getting feedback from the public, and working with stakeholders on what improvements were needed before beginning the years’ long search for financial support. The incredible amount of funding being directed to our community was secured thanks to U.S. Congressman Sam Graves and elected officials at every level giving their support to the efforts put forth by Excelsior Springs city officials.

Congressman Graves released a statement saying, “I’m thrilled to see this project receive funding. These improvements are going to greatly enhance safety, for both motorists and students walking and biking to school in Excelsior Springs. Congratulations to all who put in the effort to get this grant. I know this project has been a long time coming and can’t wait to see these improvements completed.”

State Representative Doug Richey praised the efforts of Congressman Graves to secure the funding and says that he is excited to see how the project will come together. If the city had not received such a generous grant, the Safe Streets and Sidewalks project was projected to take decades to complete, and most likely would not have included many of the most impressive features.

City Works Director Chad Birdsong was shocked to learn the project had been fully funded. “What these grant funds will do to our infrastructure is almost unimaginable. During my 30-plus years here, we have never come close to this amount of streetscape, sidewalk, trails, and pedestrian improvements all in one project. The west side will see a transformation that would not be possible without these funds coming to our city,” he explained.

Sidewalks near Cornerstone and the Middle School will help make the community safer for everyone (photo and artist rendering courtesy Becca Pruett, Vireo).

The Safe Streets and Sidewalks project will be implemented in three phases, with the last phase expected to be finished by 2030. Each phase will consist of a planning phase, which will include additional community input, a design phase, and then construction. Additional planning and design will begin immediately for Phase I, but McGovern says she wouldn’t expect to see construction begin until late next spring at the earliest.

Each of the three phases brings exciting and impactful changes to the look and feel of the community. The first phase includes the establishment of sidewalks on Wornall Road, in neighborhoods near Cornerstone Elementary and the Middle School. The most notable project of Phase I will include the construction of a pedestrian overpass over 69 Highway, making travel to and from the schools much safer.

Fire Chief Joe Maddick expressed relief when he learned of the inclusion of the overpass, “I cannot count the number of times in my career that I have watched children run across 69 Highway coming and going from school, that danger will now be eliminated.” Excelsior Springs Superintendent Travis Hux echoed the sentiment regarding the safety of students, “I didn’t know I could get so excited about sidewalks, but I am! What a great improvement that should significantly improve safety around our schools,” he said.

*Roundabouts are planned for several areas on the west side of the city (artist rendering courtesy Becca Pruett, Vireo).*

Student Jordin Price, who wrote a letter of support for Safe Streets and Sidewalks several years ago, was excited to learn that the project was becoming a reality. “It’s really cool, and I feel like it’ll be a lot safer for all the kids because right now people are walking down the roads and there are high schoolers leaving the schools, and some of them are not the safest drivers,” Jordin said.

Additional phase one improvements include the installation of an advanced warning system for EMS response at the intersection of Miller Ave and Jesse James Rd, to alert emergency responders of train crossings so they can alter their path across town during an emergency.

*Phase II will see the addition of a new pedestrian underpass along Kearney Rd. (photo Courtney Cole, artist rendering courtesy City of Excelsior Springs.)*

The keystone project for Phase II is the addition of a pedestrian tunnel under the railroad bridge along Kearney Rd. (10 Hwy). Sidewalks and trails will stretch from downtown to businesses on the outskirts of the west side. Once the project is complete citizens could essentially walk from Dari-B to McDonald’s while staying safely on sidewalks. Phase III will see the addition of roundabouts in neighborhoods on the west side, with the intersection at McCleary Rd. and Wornall being one of the major intersections seeing a change.

While major areas of improvement have already been identified, city planners intend to solicit additional feedback from citizens throughout planning periods before each phase. The City will also continue working in partnership with the Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce’s West Side Business Committee to hone the improvements needed to connect the west side business districts with the other areas of the community.

“This is an exceptional moment for our city and we wish to thank and congratulate our city leadership for the countless hours that went into making this a reality… we eagerly look forward to the positive impact this will have on our community,” said Bill Westerheide, President of the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce.

“This is just one of many opportunities we have applied for,” said McGovern, “we are constantly looking for ways to improve our city and we’re hopeful that this is just the beginning of the good news that will continue for Excelsior Springs.”

For complete details of the Safe Streets and Sidewalks project, including maps, and studies on the project, visit esmo-safestreets.com