Severe Westport flooding could soon be a problem of the past
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - For decades, flooding has been a serious problem in Westport, sometimes destroying businesses and sweeping cars away. KC Water is trying to make that problem go away.
On Thursday, April 24, KC Water broke ground on the Westport Stormwater Improvements Project. The project will cost roughly $20 million and reduce flooding in the historic Westport neighborhood.
The project includes two underground stormwater tanks that will carry 3.5 million gallons. Mill Street will be reconstructed and redesigned with new sidewalks, crosswalks, permeable parking lanes, street trees and updated street lighting.
Kansas City councilman Crispin Rea said the new flooding system will help businesses and residents who have dealt with flooding for years.
“We hear from the businesses of how they have been negatively impacted, sometimes they have to close down or lose their businesses or incur major financial damage,” Councilman Rea said. “It’s a historic neighborhood that we have a long and intimate connection to, so we want to make sure we the businesses, but we want to make sure that we’re preserving it for generations to come.”
Rea said the project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will be completed before the World Cup. Crews will clean up and take a pause before finishing the second phase after the tournament.
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