Sarah Hemme

Member since April 29, 2025

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Sarah Hemme1 year ago The presenter from Public Works did a great job of explaining the geotechnical engineering aspects of the problem and how the road building standards of the 1920s in this particular location were destined to fail eventually. In plain English: the closed portions of Blue River Road are an active, slow moving landslide and the cost to both stabilize the slope PLUS rebuild the road would be astronomical. With no federal funds available, going all-in with PIAC and/or GO Bonds for such an expensive endeavor is likely to mean that other necessities and amenities in our district would suffer: sidewalks, curbs, gutters, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, park shelter improvements, etc would be left without adequate funding for years and years to come.Keeping the road closed but transitioning it to a nice trail surface for cyclists, hikers, walkers, etc. to enjoy is the most cost-effective option. If done right, this could become a primary hub for access to nature, to the Blue River, and for recreational enjoyment right here in South KC, similar to Cliff Drive in the Historic NE area of KC. In partnership with Jackson County and KCMO Parks, I envision parking areas, restrooms, upgraded trail signage and riparian woodland restoration with local conservation groups like Heartland Conservation Alliance, Bridging the Gap and Sierra Club. I live in a neighborhood directly off Blue River Rd and currently access it as-is on bicycle and foot on a weekly basis. I love our little urban oasis but would love to see it improved so that more people feel comfortable and safe accessing it too. Thank you.

Sarah Hemme1 year ago In the past, I've heard Michael Shaw, Dir of PW, refer to BRR as an active landslide, albeit very slow moving. I think this description of the situation is a bit more accessible and understandable for folks as I heard people in the room at the previous meeting interpreting the geotechnical engineering information being presented as a drainage issue or something else unrelated to the information shared. Can you please use more lay person terminology and explanations that a 12-yr-old can comprehend? At the previous meeting, the presenter said that Blue River Rd was designed for a 35mph speed limit. Yet, it is currently signed for 45mph. This is a 2-lane road with no shoulders and lots of blind corners, why is it not signed at a more appropriate 35mph. Drivers are often zooming down the road at 50-60 mph, including semis, dump trucks, and trucks pulling trailers. What can be done to slow traffic down and keep other drivers, cyclists and wildlife safe? Is my understanding correct that if the community wants to go all-in on a rebuilt $60 Million road that the only source of funding for that would be PIAC and GO Bonds? Is it also correct that if we went in that direction, then we would be foregoing ALL other needed/wanted improvements such as to sidewalks, pickle ball courts, tennis court lighting, historic markers, curb repairs, etc. for years and years to come? If this is the case, I think this would be an extremely important point for folks to understand and to be very clear on. Would it be fair to expect our PIAC rep to be communicating this information clearly to the community? I was disappointed (and shocked) to see the 6th District PIAC rep out front of past meetings handing out self-made "information" that was geared towards stoking fear by highlighting past news headlines about dead bodies and illegal dumping along BRR. I understand that she has a POV and personal desires, but as our PIAC rep shouldn't she maintain a more neutral presence and be receptive to views other than her own? Shouldn't she represent ALL of us - whether we agree with her or not? Gun violence, murder and illegal dumping are citywide challenges. The framing of those issues as directly correlated to a road closure is misleading and an inappropriate fudging of the facts from someone in her position. What action will be taken to ensure our PIAC rep is listening to and advocating for ALL voices in our community?