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Southwest Boulevard Improvements: Community Feedback

The Southwest Boulevard Improvement Project is nearing completion, but there are still elements that Kansas City staff members are seeking community feedback on! We want to hear from you about the following:

What design do you prefer for the Las Tarascas plaza? This facility will go at the intersection on Southwest Boulevard and W Pennsylvania Avenue (in front of Crossroads Westside Apartments)
Do you support the concept of turning the non-functional "Westside Fountain" into a decorative planter? The fountain is located at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and Summit Street (in front of City Dogs).
What other restorative improvements would you like to see implemented into the "Westside Fountain" (i.e. restoring tile)?
Do you support plans to paint the Evergy power-box in front of Crossroads Westside Apartments? If so, would you prefer the design to be an artistic mural or a solid color that would blend into the landscaping?

Renderings of the various options and designs are included below. Residents are encouraged to review the concepts and leave comments about their preferences!

Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Public Engagement

Public Engagement

Public Engagement

April 10, 2026 5:00 AM - April 25, 2026 5:00 AM

Las Tarascas Plaza:

Concept A:

Concept B:

Concept C:

Concept D:

Westside Fountain Planter Concept:

Evergy Box Cover:

Comment below about what plans you are in favor of!

21 comments

Joseph Jimenez3 weeks ago Concept D for the Las Tarascas Plaza seems the most durable solution. It elevates the artwork (protects it too) and makes it the centerpoint of the plaza. Less trees will actually help them grow and flourish. It appears that the plaza floor is just made of concrete which is the most durable and low maintenance material. The power boxes with murals feels very "grassroots" and beautiful at the same time. It seems like filling the old fountain with beautiful plants is a good idea, but it will need maintenance. Otherwise, it may just need to go.

Susannah Evans3 weeks ago

Mitzi Klukvin3 weeks ago

Mitzi Klukvin3 weeks ago

Mitzi Klukvin3 weeks ago

Zachary Swickard3 weeks ago

Cindy Augustine3 weeks ago I have to say, I am surprised in general that the statue is even being included given the large amount of concern and push back the neighborhood has expressed over the years. There were petitions circulating, many neighborhood chats concerning the questionable history of the statue..... To my knowledge, this conversation with the community was never brought to a resolution. Given what the Hispanic community has just gone through with the César Chávez legacy, I would think we would want to educate oursselves and everyone on the history of the statue, and it's greater meaning to the women in it's original Mexican community before we move forward with installation.

Leah Gale3 weeks ago Concept A is my choice for design but I will note that the drawings are not to scale and the statue in and of itself will take up the majority of the "park". The designs make it look like a large triangle area, but if you drive by you will note what size of lot they are actually utilizing. The area around it is already finished with sidewalks and trees, some parking.I think it would be great to plant some native plants, succulents, drought proof items in the empty fountain because again who is going to maintain, where is water accessible etcFinally, the evergy power box is of notable size, is currently pale green and should be painted to blend with the landscaping and plants etc.

JAY REED4 weeks ago

JAY REED4 weeks ago I agree with others. I think it will look nice perennials (bushes and trees) along with seasonal plantings. I, too, like the wall painting. My concern is that it be somewhat easy to maintain. My heart breaks every time I drive by an infrastructure improvement that has been allowed to deteriate. In the past, the city didn't do a good job watering or weeding. Forgive my lack of knowledge (or naivety), but will a local organization or group of citizens in the area be allowed to maintain the space?

Abel B4 weeks ago I vote for Concept A. I honestly think terracotta tiles should be included for all of the designs options . It would help create a welcoming fee, more like a small, tree-shaded plaza. Concept C feels a bit too simple to me and comes across more like a backyard.As for the fountain, it’s a shame it can’t remain a water feature and has to be refurbished as a planter. Why is that again? We should try to repair it .

Patti Cawthon4 weeks ago

Shannon Kilfoy4 weeks ago I agree with Amy - anything to make the space feel warmer is better than more concrete. I like concept A for that reason. Brick, terracotta, or other natural looking pavers would look great here. I like that this concept allows pedestrians to engage with the sculpture. I think painting the evergy box a muted green or brown would be best with this concept design. That way, most people may not even notice the box. I love murals, but I don’t think it would make sense to highlight this feature. If you can do a mural that blends in with the landscaping, that may look nice too. Finally, I’m all for repurposing the fountain into a planter. The rendering looks awful and is clearly a poorly done AI image, but I think done right, the planter/fountain would be a beautiful feature to highlight. Keep the tile work, and maybe add paint or matching tiles to the steps/surrounding area. Get rid of those posts behind it, and plant some trees. There are a trash can and an electrical box in that spot that can be painted to blend in as well. I’ve been a Westside resident for many years, and I’m very excited to see how the projects turn out!

Zach Hemenway4 weeks ago

Deborah Salas4 weeks ago I like option A for the plaza design. I also like the idea of the evergy box blending in with and being hidden in the landscape. If it is in the open it would be better to design a mural in order to keep it from being tagged. Perhaps a plant scene with butterflies. Since the fountain is unable to be repaired, I would like to see it filled with native perennial plantings that will support bees and butterflies with uplighting to be visible at night.

Amy Beery4 weeks ago

Batsheba Castro Martinez4 weeks ago

Nathan Harrell4 weeks ago I like the ideas of painting the electrical boxes, as well as the new fountain (Concept C is my favorite). However, I think filling the old Westside fountain with a planter/flower bed is not a sufficient redevelopment. I am glad that portion is getting repaved, but Is the fountain beyond repair? Back when it was flowing, there was far less grafitti/vandalism in that area. I can see a planter/flowers not being sufficiently maintained and becoming a target for more tagging and litter. I like the effort of flowers more than nothing, but is that the best thing to do with this now defunct fountain?

Alexander Gilbertson4 weeks ago

Patricia Carter4 weeks ago

Katrina Vincent1 month ago

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