Imagine this: You leave your apartment along Independence Avenue to grab a coffee in Columbus Park, take a stroll over to the River Market for some ice cream and then hop on the streetcar to grab some food and drinks downtown — all without crossing a noisy high-speed interstate.
That’s a possibility a group of organizers and residents want Kansas Citians to consider. Called the North Loop Neighbors , the group is casting a sweeping vision and pushing to build momentum behind the idea to remove the north section of the highway loop that runs through downtown and carves through core city neighborhoods.
They imagine re-routing Interstates 35 and 70 through the southern section of the loop, opening up the north section for new development and public space, while reconnecting isolated areas to the river, downtown and beyond…