Three Key West Bottoms Areas

The KCDC studio initially studied the West Bottoms at three different scales during the analysis phase to develop a deep understanding of how the West Bottoms functions locally and regionally. The first team focused on the historic core and how we can begin to plan and design a complex urban fabric that balances a pedestrian realm integrated with an existing heavy industrial district. The second team focused from bluff to buff, understanding what role the West Bottoms plays connecting the divided downtown areas of Kansas City Kansas, and Kansas City Missouri. Lastly, the third team looked into how the West Bottoms interacts and makes an impact at a regional scale, drawing people to the area on the weekends, and acts as an industrial/ shipping hub. After weeks of analytical studies and three community meetings the studio has identified key issues and areas for improvement within the West Bottoms.

Overall Concept diagram

Connection to the River

Existing Problems

Upon completion of the overall analytical studies the studio took a step back to think about how these issues relate to the SomeraRoad development. In order to develop a successful overall vision for the West Bottoms the studio decided to focus on three key areas; the KCK riverfront, I-70, and the historic core. The overall goal is to create an idea of alternative and authentic urbanity that capitalizes on the found conditions of the place, embracing the extreme contrasts of its fabric, physical make up, and land use practices while embracing public realm and mixed-use infrastructure that binds it into a new whole. From the start of the semester, the studio has been engaging with the community through public meetings conducted by HOK and Burns and McDonnell. The community feedback is documented and helps drive our design as we move forward. Our ongoing process can now be viewed live on our website.

Mark Horne from HOK participates in KCDC’s second professional review