NorthEast Industrial Association (NEIA)

Background and History

The NorthEast Industrial Association (NEIA) was founded in the 1940s as a booster organization for the northeast area of the City; generally south of the Missouri River, north of the Bluffs, east of the Paseo Bridge, and west of the Kansas City/Independence city limits. The Association was incorporated in 1955. It is a corporate/resident member organization comprised of companies and firms existing in the northeast area, and/or firms doing business in the area.

      The Association continues to adhere to its founding tenets “…to develop and promote the welfare of the Northeast Industrial District of Kansas City, Missouri, its industries, its residents, its  real estate and its merchants, and to contribute to the protection and development and extension of these interests in all lawful ways”. [1]

      The Northeast Industrial Area is a vibrant community of rapidly expanding commercial activity. Recent times have seen an influx of new businesses, as well as expansion of warehousing and intermodal transportation facilities.

      However, infrastructure concerns are typically present and improvements must continue. The Association is dedicated to working closely with the Kansas City Council, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Mid-America Regional Council and all other governmental agencies and entities to continue moving ahead with expanding commerce that is so vital to the area and to the City.

      The Association also continues to have an active presence on the Kansas City Industrial Council – gaining yet another avenue for advocacy for infrastructure needs and a stronger voice in identifying sorely needed improvements. This consistency and constant vigilance have resulted in major improvement such as the now-completed new Chouteau Bridge.

      Of the many issues faced by business and residents in the Northeast, a clearly critical one is the flooding of street and properties throughout the area. The Association is committed to bringing the this dangerous and costly matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities, and pursuing long-term solutions.

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[1] From the original by-laws in Articles of Incorporation, 1955

NEIA Greensheet Priorities – 2003 *

Project Description	Needed Funds	Available Funds	Remarks
Repair Manchester Bridge (S. of Gardner across UP tracks)	$7 million	$7 million	Currently funded, but may need additional funds
Repair Manchester Bridge (N. of Gardner across KCS tracks)	$1 million	$1 million	Currently funded, still high priority & may need additional funds
Universal TIF Pump  Station	$8 million	$8 million	Funded through TIF; not yet throwing off sufficient revenues
Front St. Expansion 2 to 4 lanes	Unknown	None	Project proposed for new federal transportation bill
Front St. Expansion 4 to 6 Lanes	Unknown	None	Project proposed for new federal transportation bill
Chouteau Expansion 2 to 4 Lanes – N. of Bridge to I-35	Unknown	None	Not in federal bill; may have opportunity to be in State Transp. Plan
Catch Basin Repairs & Replacements	Unknown	Operating Budget Item	Definitive solution awaits conclusion of comprehensive water shed study
Planning Study for NIEA	Unknown	None	Possible PIAC application
Gardner/Chouteau Intersection Drainage	Unknown	None	Currently viewed as an engineering and funding challenge
Universal TIF Canal Dredging	Unknown	None	Periodic need that may be part of operating budget