Through community-driven planning, the Armourdale Area Master Plan strengthens infrastructure, enhances flood resilience, and expands economic opportunities—empowering residents to shape the future of their neighborhood.

Armourdale Area Master Plan

Kansas City, KS

Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas

The Armourdale Area Master Plan envisions the transformation of one of Kansas City’s most complex and historically underserved neighborhoods into a thriving and equitable community. Spanning 2,000 acres of mixed residential and industrial land, Armourdale is defined by a legacy of flooding, disinvestment, and isolation. Today, it stands poised for revitalization through a master plan developed in partnership with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Grounded in extensive bilingual community engagement and historical research, the plan addresses decades of systemic inequities while charting a path toward future growth. The five focus areas of the plan target actionable improvements to ensure Armourdale’s long-term vitality:

  • Neighborhood Core: Protects and enhances Armourdale’s residential core, directing resources toward infill housing, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded access to fresh food.
  • Commercial Corridors: Proposes dense, walkable developments along key streets, integrating green stormwater infrastructure and creating vibrant public spaces.
  • Industrial Ring: Envisions a mixed-use industrial area that contributes to Armourdale’s economic and environmental health.
  • Kansas River: Enhances access to the river with trails, parks, and recreation hubs, making it a community asset.
  • Historic West Bottoms: Outlines opportunities to transform this industrial area into a mixed-use district centered on the restored Kansas River.

The plan also emphasizes resilience through community empowerment, encouraging residents to advocate for investments that reflect their needs and priorities.

Click here to view the full Master Plan in both English and Spanish

SERVICES

Planning
Public Engagement

COLLABORATORS

Engagement + Planning:
Borderless Studio + MVRDV

AWARDS

2024 AIA Kansas Merit Award for Urban/Regional Design

Community Outreach

The community outreach approach prioritized inclusivity and accessibility in this majority-minority, primarily Spanish-speaking community. All materials were developed in both English and Spanish, ensuring that residents could engage fully in the process. Outreach efforts were rooted in active engagement, with the team meeting residents where they are—whether at community events, local gathering spaces, or even in their homes. By centering these strategies, including an Outreach Team, ongoing dialogue with community leaders, and continuous engagement, the planning process addressed real community needs and amplified local voices.

Focus Areas + Strategies

The strategies and actions outlined in the Armourdale Area Master Plan are centered upon five (5) primary focus areas: The Neighborhood Core, The Commercial Corridors, The Industrial Ring, The Kansas River, and The Historic West Bottoms.

Rooted in community voices, the Armourdale Area Master Plan delivers strategies for a more connected, equitable, and thriving neighborhood—where infrastructure supports opportunity and resilience strengthens everyday life.

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