Large plat of undeveloped land near DT North KC

[Highlander]

Perhaps this belongs more in the Northland forum but I was looking at the northland in google earth and noticed a huge plat of land that is fairly inboard relative to the rest of the northland that is entirely undeveloped.  Just wondering if anybody knew the story that has kept this area vacant for so long. 

It's the area east of North Holmes and west of I-35/29 and south of NE Russell Road.  The southern boundary of the area appears to be the unforested floodplain of the Missouri River in the vicinity of McCracken Park where development begins in earnest.  According to Google Earth, the area contains Riverview Park but the boundary of the park encompasses only small part of the undeveloped area.  The area generally looks to be very forested.  Seems strange that such a large parcel of land would be surrounded by built up areas but yet be entirely undeveloped itself and not be parkland.  Anybody know why nothing has ever been built here? 

[Thaine]

Sounds like it could be the land that belongs to Westside Holding Company?  I understand, if that's the same land, that the owner has been to the city several times with plans to really densely develop that land and his development plan has been turned down each time.

[MidWestSider]

I believe this is the area you're talking about..

http://forum.kcrag.com/index.php/topic, ... l#msg73162

[Highlander]

I believe this is the area you're talking about..

http://forum.kcrag.com/index.php/topic, ... l#msg73162

Yep that's it.  Looks like somebody else noticed exactly the same thing a couple of years ago. 

[missingkc]

If I remember correctly, the last proposal was denied due to the fears on the part of downhill folks of run-off after development.

[FangKC]

Poppycock. That can all be remedied with rain gardens.   :lol:

Here is a photo of the parcel.  Part of it is taken up by Riverview and North Hills parks, which appear to be undeveloped as well.

[Highlander]

Perhaps they should keep it more or less like it is, build a south facing war memorial on it and call it Penn Valley North.  We could have mirror image parks with similar topography on either side of downtown/Missouri River.     

[FangKC]

I think it should be turned into a goblin preserve.