History of Northland Neighborhoods
In The Beginning
Our history parallels the growth of the Northland and its maturity as a community. In 1995, Old Northeast, Inc., a community development corporation in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri was awarded a grant to organize low to moderate-income neighborhoods in the older (target) areas of Kansas City North-Clay County.
The "target" area of Kansas City North is the older neighborhoods located south of Englewood Road to 210 Highway, and from North Oak Trafficway on the west to the eastern city limits. In 1995, there was no organization assisting with neighborhood revitalization efforts in the Northland.
As neighborhood groups began to organize, discussions then focused on the need for an organization in the Northland with the technical capacity to manage community revitalization, with the active participation of area residents.
The First Focus
Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. (NNI) was incorporated as a community development corporation (CDC) in June of 1996. Kansas City Council members from the 1st Council District were instrumental in providing initial funding for staff, office space and program development.
In November 1999, NNI was designated a Neighborhood FOCUS Center by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, to be a liaison between neighborhoods and City Hall, with staff from several city departments available to assist residents on a regular basis.
Staff from the KCMO Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Health Departments began to spend designated hours at NNI to meet with residents to discuss various community issues. The KCMO Neighborhood Preservation Division leases office space at NNI, and two codes inspectors are available on a regular basis to meet with community leaders.
Continued Growth
NNI is recognized as the organization in the Northland that assists neighborhood leaders in becoming knowledgeable and active in issues affecting the community.
Services offered at NNI include: home repair, organizing neighborhood associations, coordinating monthly neighborhood meetings, providing crime prevention training, coordinating comprehensive codes training, providing a resource library for neighborhood leaders, and hosting community forums with the KCMO Mayor and City Council representatives.
NNI has organized more than 70 neighborhood associations and block watch groups, worked with hundreds of volunteers each year in partnerships with area institutions and non-profit groups to assist neighborhoods with property maintenance issues.
The KCMO City Development Department directs developers to NNI to coordinate meetings between the developer and the neighborhood group to discuss the proposed development, address the concerns of the neighborhood and arrive at a consensus on the proposed development.
Home Improvement
Over the last six years, NNI has received more than $2 million in grants to provide more than 600 home repairs to low to moderate-income homeowners in the Northland. The grants are used for replacement of furnaces and air conditioners, roofs, plumbing, driveways, foundations, plumbing and a variety of other repairs that have increased the safety and security of the homeowner, and increased property values for the neighborhood.
For the last two years, in partnership with Cohen Esrey Development, NNI was awarded several grants for the rehab of affordable apartment complexes in the Northland.
In partnership with Cohen Esrey Development, NNI will open the Chaumiere Place Apartments in the summer of 2006. This 35-unit affordable senior apartment village consists of 23 one and two-bedroom apartments in the restored Eastwood School building and 12 patio homes on the grounds of the former elementary school. Persons interested in qualifying for one of these attractive - and attractively priced - units should call NNI today at 816-454-2000.
In partnership with the KCMO Parks and Recreation Department, NNI received a $100,000 grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation - NFL Community Fields program to develop four youth football fields in Pleasant Valley Park.
Honors and Awards
NNI was awarded the Community Keystone Award in spring of 1999 by the Clay County Economic Development Council in recognition of making "significant contributions to Clay County's economy."
In August 2001, Congressman Sam Graves presented NNI with a Community Development Award and check on behalf of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines for providing low to moderate-income residents with affordable housing and home rehab assistance.
In March 2003, the Northland Diversity Council presented NNI with the Northland Diversity Award in recognition of its promotion of diversity within the organization and community.
Key Leadership
NNI is governed by a fifteen (15) member Board of Directors. The Board has five active standing committees: Executive, Administration and Finance, Neighborhood Relations, Planning and Development, Resource Development.
The NNI staff consists of an Executive Director, Director of Operations, Director of Planning and Development, Program Coordinator, Neighborhood Advocate, Program Consultant, and two administrative assistants. The budget of NNI is underwritten by government funds, foundation and corporate grants and stakeholder donations.