Blue Valley Association (BVA)

 

I. Background and History

The Blue Valley Association (BVA) was organized in 1920, and was subsequently incorporated in the Court of Jackson County, Missouri, at Kansas City in May 1940. Among it objectives was “…to develop and promote the welfare of the Blue Valley District of Kansas City, Missouri, it’s Industries, it’s Real Estate, It’s Merchants, and it’s Homes, and to contribute to the protection, development and extension of those interests in all lawful ways;…”.

The Association extends, generally, from the bluffs in the north to 63^rd Street in the south, following the Blue River and I-435. BVA represents the largest industrial and commercial area within the city limits of Kansas City, MO. 

Continuing major industrial development in the Blue River Valley has been impeded for decades. The City had been pursuing flood protection for the Valley since the major floods of 1928 and 1929. The record setting flood of September 1961 finally brought about a Congressional resolution requesting that the Corps of Engineers perform a study of a flood mitigation project. Congress authorized the project in 1970. [ii]

Ultimately, the scope of the project that was approved provided for the downstream channelization between 63^rd Street and the mouth of the Blue at the Missouri River. The total cost f the project is currently estimated to be $250 million, with a federal share of $213 million and a City share of $37 million.

With the flood issues largely addressed by the flood mitigation project, BVA sees the need for wider infrastructure improvements to proceed in order to achieve the full potential of the Blue Valley industrial area and to capitalize on the major investment of the flood project.

            The BVA hopes to conduct an area-wide redevelopment plan to maximize industrial growth. This is a critical step in the area’s long-range planning.

            The BVA also wants to improve local vehicular access to the area. The area has good rail access and good interstate access but local streets and arterials are fragmented.

II. Urgent Near-Term Transportation Issues

Lower Blue Parkway Viaduct Demolition

As part of the Blue River Flood Mitigation Project, Manchester Trafficway is being improved along the roadbed of Coal Mine Road, and then swung east of Coal Mine Road to join Blue Parkway at Hardesty. This realignment and improvements will result in the replacement of Blue Parkway Viaduct over the Blue River.

Flood control work in the Blue River will also necessitate the removal of the Lower Blue Parkway viaduct (below and parallel to the Blue Parkway Viaduct) at Blue Parkway and Brighton Ave.

Clearly, the Lower Parkway Viaduct is in such a state of disrepair that demolition is a sensible approach

 

 

Lower Blue Parkway Viaduct

            Currently, there is broad-ranging discussion regarding the best means to replace the lower bridge – with several options under consideration. Businesses along Brighton Ave. have been informed that replacement efforts may be delayed due to lack of funds and other design issues.

            The Lower Blue Parkway industrial area has a number of vibrant businesses, providing hundreds of jobs, significant investment, and accounting for considerable earnings and property taxes for the City. Hundreds of trucks enter and depart the area daily.

            BVA has deemed the replacement of access to that portion of the industrial area as its highest priority. Failure to do so will result in an unacceptable danger to property and people due to the hazardous entry and exit approach to the area necessitated by the demolition of the bridge. Additionally, all businesses in that area will suffer economic hardships due to the restricted access.

Extension of Manchester Trafficway North to Stadium Drive

            Significant transportation improvements have been made, are in process, and are planned in conjunction with the flood mitigation project on the Blue River. The extension of and the improvements on Manchester Trafficway to Blue Parkway and the new Blue Parkway Viaduct will greatly improve the flow of commercial traffic to Hwy. 350 and I-435.

            Yet, effective and efficient access to the improved roadway at Manchester Trafficway is severely limited for many of the businesses in the Stadium Drive area due to the one-lane bottleneck under the railroad trestle at Coal Mine Road and Winchester Ave.

            BVA supports and advocates an engineering and design study to explore options for extending Manchester Trafficway north , across the Blue River, to Stadium Drive.

            The extension of Manchester Trafficway at least to Stadium Drive will promote increased commerce opportunities for businesses along Stadium as well as provide an incentive for development of available industrial sites such as the Beazer East property, on the north side of Stadium.

            The funding and undertaking of this study is also a high priority for BVA.

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[i] From the original Articles of Agreement of Blue Valley Association.

[ii] Annual Report 11/30/01 – Flood Mitigation Project.

BVA Greensheet Priorities – 2003

Project Description	Needed Funds	Available Funds	Remarks
Lower Blue Parkway Bridge replacement	$2.0 Million	$0	PW current plans are to not initially replace bridge when removed for flood control project.
Feasibility study for extension of Manchester from Stadium Dr. to new Coal Mine Road	$.5 Million	$0	Extension of Manchester to “New Manchester (Coal Mine Road)” would give efficient access to Hwy 350, I-435 & I-71.
Truman Road Bridge Upper Deck Replacement	$7.2 Million	$420 K Engineering Study	Engineering study conducted by TranSystems
Comprehensive plan for BV redevelopment	$ ?	$0	Public Works had recommended a PIAC app for study
Extension of Manchester Tfwy. N to Hwy. 24.	$?	$0	BVA in discussions w/PW Special Projects Office on this project.
Additional Flood Protection and Greenways for Lower Blue	$?	$0	Supported by USACE; Corps preparing General Re-evaluation Report (GRR) to be completed in 3 yr.