The neighborhood planning process uses a series of public engagement meetings and virtual feedback tools to create a "neighborhood issue inventory". The neighborhood planning team takes that inventory and turns it into the neighborhood plan - a list of actions to address infrastructure maintenance, traffic calming measures, and other needed City services.

Implementation of neighborhood plans is dependent on neighborhood residents prioritizing action items and then coordinating with City staff and elected officials on funding requests (e.g., PIAC application, budget requests).

Truman Plaza Area Plan Update

City staff incorporated the neighborhood planning process into the recent effort to update the Truman Plaza Area Plan. The City's 18 area plans are typically updated every 10 years, and the Truman Plaza Area Plan is one of the first to be updated this cycle. In addition to the neighborhood plan component, the area plan will highlight a community-driven vision for this part of the city in the areas of land use, housing, public improvements, community development, and other City services. This project's webpage can be found here: Truman Plaza In-Process Area Plan

In May 2026, the City's neighborhood team completed a planning process with the South Round Top neighborhood. Though a series of public engagement meetings, residents helped staff put together an inventory of issues related to City services that they want addressed. The plan was adopted as an addendum to the Heart of the City Area Plan. 

The final neighborhood plan can be found here: South Round Top Plan

Washington Wheatley Neighborhood Plan

From August 2024 through March 2025, planning staff worked with the Washington Wheatley neighborhood to create a plan that identified key issues in the community and discussed the negative impacts of high concentrations of vacant lots in their area. The plan was adopted as an addendum to the Heart of the City Area Plan in March 2025.

 The final neighborhood plan can be found here: Washington Wheatley Neighborhood Plan

 Hickman Mills Strategic Plan

The Hickman Mills Strategic Plan initiative began in late 2025 at the request of Councilmember Curls. The intent of this plan is to provide policy guidance and action items to stabilize commercial centers and neighborhoods in the planning area. The planning area is bounded by E 87th St to the north, Highway 71/Interstate-49 to the west, City limits to the south, and Raytown Rd to the east. 

City staff are working on the final draft of the plan and expect to bring it to Council in early Summer 2026. In the mean time, you can review presentations and other materials from the planning process at the project's SpeakEasy platform.