Troostwood+Assignment+team+2

Institutions and Buildings presentation
Team 2: Individual assets Sue, Danny, Jennifer, Jeffrey

We will be using the information from the Troostwood neighborhood assessment, the Troostwood webpage and the guest speakers to begin a midterm project called an asset map. This "map" will show the important physical, assets, individual assets and institutional assets of the neighborhood. Your group will be learning about the individual assets (individual people and groups of people who could be considered assets) of the neighborhood,

Your assignment is to read the Troostwood neighborhood assessment and webpage, and begin as a group to fill in what you already know about the individual assets of the neighborhood. Then, make a list of the questions you think are most important to ask our guest speakers from the neighborhood. You can make comments on the questions other team members have written and see if you can try to agree upon the most important questions.

(Note: There is also a Troostwood Facebook page that has more current information than the website. MJD)

What information does your team already have about Troostwood? > This information was developed with participation from > City staff. Residents, business people and people who work in local institutions provided > input. These community members mapped their community, and identified assets and priority issues in their neighborhood. > **Developing, Conservation, Stabilization, Redeveloping** > The hilly terrain within the residential area of Troostwood and the speeding traffic > create hazardous conditions in the neighborhood. The residents suggested these actions: > **Enhance the Desirability of the Neighborhood** > The residents want to see continued rehabbing of homes in the neighborhood that will > attract homeowners. They suggested the following: > **Continue Neighborhood Conservation Efforts** > The group is pleased with conservation efforts and green space development such as > Troostwood Commons. Here are a few more suggestions:
 * 1) Neighborhood objectives based on self-evaluation:
 * 1. To self-identify its neighborhood type from the FOCUS Neighborhood Prototypes Plan.
 * 2. To develop improvement strategies that will direct neighborhood improvement, a “To Do” list/Action Steps incorporating participation by the neighborhood, community partners, and the City.
 * 1) Four unique Neighborhood Types that have been developed to generally describe Kansas City neighborhoods. These four Types (assigned the colors Blue, Orange, Purple and Green in the Neighborhood Assessment workshop) are:
 * Each Neighborhood Type suggests what actions are required for an area to become or stay healthy.
 * 1) Priorities: **Limit Traffic Density Throughout the Residential Area**
 * Monitor the traffic problems on Troost Avenue and 51st Street to determine how to better regulate traffic, i.e. speed signs, stop signs, flashing caution lights
 * Use information obtained from Allstate Insurance Company to document traffic problems (Allstate Insurance Company in partnership with the neighborhood installed speed bumps on 51st Street.)
 * Request that the City conduct a traffic study on the residential streets and undesignate 51st Street as a “feeder street”
 * Continue rehabbing homes in the area in order to eliminate the stigma of “living east of Troost Avenue”
 * Work with Rockhurst University, who owns several housing units, on improving their rental properties in the neighborhood
 * Encourage renters to become a part of the neighborhood association
 * Work with realtors and property rehabilitation companies on developing marketing ideas for the neighborhood, i.e. close proximity to the new Stowers Medical Institute, Kauffman Foundation, Discovery Center, etc.
 * Coordinate efforts with UMKC, Rockhurst University, and businesses in developing comprehensive plans for vacant lots and abandoned properties, particularly at the corner of 49th Street and Troost
 * Follow up on the grant request with KC 150 to establish a memorial walkway for Rev. Thomas J. Savage, former President of Rockhurst University and Co-chair of FOCUS Kansas City
 * 1) Slogan: **Historical Affordability**

Steps in recognizing, at the workshop, Troostwood in all aspects:
 * Step 1:** "My neighborhood is...". Identifications of how people experience Troostwood in: landmarks (Troostwood Commons Park), paths (Bruce R. Watkins Drive), activity centers (Go Chicken Go business and the public telephone in the parking lot that is used for drug activity), districts (UMKC, Rockhurst) and features (Naural woods on Lydia and The Paseo).
 * Step 2:** "If I could fix one thing". People always want things to be changed and the issues that follow were what participants wanted to see in the neighborhood. Public works issues: ex. install new curbs and sidewalks. Code Enforcement: eliminate suspected illegal drug activity at 5005 Troostwood Road. Traffic: enforce the speed limit on residential streets. Public safety: encourage neighbors to talk with other neighbors before calling the police. Other fixes: Meet with officials at Rockhurst to discuss litter problems coming from their tenants and students.
 * Step 3:** My Neighborhood's Assets. Indenfied assets that add value to Troostwood. These include places, groups, organizations, etc. Communities of Troostwood include the Troostwood Townhomes on Troost, Diversity of people (economically, educationally, homeowners, renters and the age different). The new developments followed many things (more updated new developments as of 2011?) and places, SFX.

What are the most important questions you could ask the guest speakers? How can the Troostwood Association collaborate with students in order to make improvements to the neighborhood? What are the the most immediate goals for Troostwood and how can these be reached? Since concerns about crime levels in the neighborhood are a factor for future residents/business owners, what are ways to engage the community in order to reduce criminal activity?

Have has the involvement of Rockhurst students fluctuated since the creation in 1997? Has Rockhurst improved their housing units to increase the desirability of the neighborhood? Have Rockhurst students and staff been cooperative in the facilitation of neighborhood cleanliness, respect for privacy and courteousness?

In the past 3 decades, for the Troostwood neighborhood what has structurally changed?