| Abstract | The Green Impact Zone involves five neighborhoods adjacent to Brush Creek east of Troost Avenue. Federal stimulus funds will be used as "the foundation for revitalization of some of Kansas City's most economically challenged neighborhoods." Although the Green Impact Zone was proposed by U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) had begun already begun to coordinate several grant applications "including proposals to fund programs for in-fill and rehabilitation of housing, job training, Internet access, community justice, weatherization and other housing improvements...." The official opening of the Green Impact Zone Neighborhood Assistance Center at 4600 The Paseo was September 1, 2009. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Great Plains Energy chief executive officer Mike Chesser announced "the utility's commitment of $14 million as part of a $48 million application made to the Department of Energy to introduce SmartGrid technologies to the zone." Also in September the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority "held a groundbreaking celebration for the construction of Troost MAX, the city's second bus rapid transit line." The "Green Line" will run from Bannister Road on the south to the Library District Transit Center downtown and will cost $30.7 million. |
