The Wyandotte Street Heritage Trail Connector represents the completion of the KCMO Central Business District portion of the Riverfront Heritage Trail (RHT). This trail segment would tie together the completed sections of the Trail system in the Westside community and the north end of the loop on Wyandotte. It would provide a preferred pedestrian and bike route for many visitors and residents through the center of the city and it would create a “Heritage” component of the RHT as it would connect many of this city’s historical resources.

The completion of this part of the RHT was moved up in response to the rapidly expanding development of the surrounding area. The introduction of a multi-venue commercial and entertain district, the Auditorium Ballroom and the Performing Art Center along with many new loft residents necessitates the introduction of a safe pedestrian byway. Indeed, in the new downtown environment, livability will be measured by the community’s walkability.

Wyandotte Street is in that it is the one street that flows uninterrupted from the Union Station to the riverfront. This is clearly “low hanging fruit” because nothing stands in the way. Bridges are being constructed over the tracks at Union Station and over I-670. Moreover, the new construction is being designed to accommodate and attract pedestrians. As can be seen in the Trail Map on the top of the next page a good part of the Wyandotte Heritage Connector of the RHT is completed.

The perception of safety is important to users. Thus, some operating expenses accompany this proposal for the funding of a Trail Ranger that would operate out of the Downtown CID. The Ranger will be assigned to this Wyandotte link from the North Loop to the Union Station. The primary responsibilities for the Rangers would be hospitality and informational services.

Preliminary Budget

Costs
Construction		$110,000
Construction Contingency	10%	$11,000
Design	12%	$13,200
Administration	10%	$11,000
Ranger Program	Fixed	$44,000
		$189,200
Funding
Federal	80%	$ 151,360
Local (In-kind)	20%	$ 37,840