McKinley Park Existing Conditions Report

To reach a broad range of participants, especially those who were not able to attend prior outreach events, CMAP staff held listening meetings with local activists and residents at various community group meetings during the month of September 2018. On September 5, CMAP Staff met with members of the McKinley Park Civic Association, on September 6 with Neighbors for Environmental Justice, on September 12 with CAPS meeting participants, and on September 13, with parents and teachers at Greene Elementary School Open House. Listening meetings are a great way to educate and inform community residents about the planning process while learning about what’s important to them and their community. Comments included creating safe public spaces for youth, revitalizing 35th Street Corridor, improving the pedestrian environment along Archer Avenue, and attracting a mix of shopping and retail experiences while supporting existing small businesses.

Many participants expressed concern about the impacts to air quality as a result of new uses in the CMD. Increased truck traffic and the proximity of these uses to existing parks and residential areas where youth play was a top concern among many participants. Transparency in local development decisions was raised from group to group as a common necessity.