![]() Time was of the essence since North Kansas City’s plans were already in motion. Anticipating federal assistance for a national network of highways, he realized that annexations would give the city greater control over future regional highway and bridge planning. And like most Americans in the 1940s, Cookingham had automobiles on the brain. With a projection of up to 50,000 new jobs, new housing in the vicinity would be needed. In addition, Cookingham wanted to redevelop the East Bottoms and rebrand it as the Northeast Industrial District. If successful, downtown’s status as a central hub could be preserved. ![]() With the Missouri-Kansas state line to the west and Independence to the east, moving north made more sense. The city could have pushed farther south into unincorporated Jackson County, but Cookingham felt it only would add to decentralization, permanently relegating downtown to the city’s northernmost region. How, then, did it ultimately get what it wanted, and then some?Ĭity Manager L.P. ![]() Well short of that, Kansas City’s bid was declared dead on arrival. The measure narrowly passed, but state law held that annexation approval required a three-fifths majority. Not to be outdone, Kansas City held its own election to annex the same territory in Clay County two months later. With a final count of 801-33, the election was a landslide victory for the smaller city. It was the citizens of North Kansas City who moved first, voting September 10, 1946, to annex an area to their north from East 32nd Avenue (near today’s Waggin’ Trail Dog Park) to Englewood Road and east just past the city of Randolph. The episode nearly 75 years ago was the subject of a recent inquiry to What’s Your KCQ, the community reference partnership between the Library and The Kansas City Star, from reader Nelson Nissley. What emerged was a tussle over an area north of the Missouri River with the city of North Kansas City, which had similar concerns and designs. ![]() With a tax base on the decline, expanding into unincorporated land was a logical solution. Swift action was needed to halt urban decay and ensure future growth. The rise of the suburbs and decentralization posed a threat to downtown, creating a postwar existential crisis for the city. By Michael Wells | 1946, Kansas City found itself at a crossroads. ![]()
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