Kansas City, Kansas — Kansas City Kansas Community College plans to break ground on its new downtown campus next year.
But longtime food kitchens fear the project will drive them out.
Tonight, the Unity Government’s Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance asked a question about how well a food kitchen for the homeless and a community college parking lot could coexist on the same property. However, it was sent to the full Council for approval.
“For 41 years, every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” Steve Smith, board member of St. Mary’s Food Kitchen, boasted of the nonprofit’s track record of feeding the homeless and vulnerable. .
Since 1997 they have resided at the Wilhemina Gill Center. The building was built for them by former US Senator Bob Dole, the organization said.
On Monday, the Food Kitchen board attended a meeting of the Economic Development and Finance Committee. So the United Government decided to sell at least a portion of the property licensed to serve Kansas City Kansas Community College for $10.
They said they had not been notified and had no idea if their building, which served 81,000 meals last year, was involved, based on the agenda.
“It’s frustrating. We’re here to do something good for our community, but we’re being treated badly,” Jacqueline Elbert told the committee.
United Government Commissioner Chuck Statez said: “It’s just ridiculous that the project is so far along and someone doing this kind of great work in the community doesn’t know what’s going on. I think.
Kansas City Kansas Community College has raised $46 million to build a new downtown campus scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.
The vacant lot next to the center is planned to be a parking lot for students with a school lunch room. Mosier said the university has no intention of interrupting service in his kitchen.
KCKCC President Greg Mosier said, “Willa Gill will remain where it is for now until a full service plan solution, including food service and housing, is provided to the community.
The United Government says a task force of mayors is working on a comprehensive homelessness plan.
The commissioner called for a stipulation that construction would not interfere with the center’s daily food delivery loading docks before the United Government All-Commission voted on the sale.