UMKC is set to transform a portion of its campus into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly area, marking a significant step in its long-term development plan.
Starting today, Sept. 23, the section of 51st Street between Cherry Street and Rockhill Road will be closed to vehicular traffic, officially becoming the 51st Street Pedestrian Plaza.
The changes begin with new barriers and blockades:
- At the intersection of 51st and Cherry streets (Cherry Street will remain open)
- Just north of the Linda Hall Library access road on Holmes south of 51st Street
- West of the Plaster Center loading dock access
Students should also see new signs indicating “Street closed, delivery access only” which will be installed at Rockhill Road and 51st Street. Several stop signs have been added to help keep pedestrians safe.
Troy Lillebo, associate vice chancellor of external relations and constituent engagement, shared insights on the project’s background and future plans. Emphasizing the importance of student involvement, Lillebo said that students were invited to Master Plan focus groups, and administration met with SGA last fall.
“This project has been part of our Master Plan for more than a decade,” Lillebo said. “It also aligns with a plan that our urban design and planning students conceptualized years ago.”
Arial Whaley, a senior in English Language Arts shared that she was intimidated by the lack of pedestrian walkways when she first started college.
“This walkway is completely necessary for students and will ease a lot of the anxiety that comes with the city streets, especially when we’re consistently crossing them,” said Whaley.“Add lights, furniture and maybe a hot tub and we’re good to go,” she joked.
The project is set to evolve throughout the academic year. Lillebo said that the pedestrian plaza will be resurfaced, new chairs and enhancements will be added such as UMKC branding, plantings and lighting.
UMKC administrators plan to engage with various constituent groups this semester to gather feedback about amenities to be added to the walkway. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the final design meets the needs and preferences of the campus community.
“The main goals are to reduce traffic, make it pedestrian-friendly for campus, and to make it a student gathering spot.”
According to Lillebo, the initiative has garnered significant support from various stakeholders.
“We’ve had great support from the city and surrounding neighborhoods,” Lillebo said. “We’re especially grateful to Linda Hall Library and their willingness to partner with us on this.”
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