My Priorities for District 1
District 1 is made up of neighborhoods, historic areas and business corridors with different needs and opportunities. These are some of the areas I'll be paying particular attention to as we decide what comes next.
Taking Care of What We Have
District 1 has aging roads, sidewalks and infrastructure that need attention, along with everyday maintenance that can make a real difference in how a neighborhood looks and functions.
New projects will always be part of a growing city, but taking care of what we already have matters too. I want to keep both in view when we're deciding where limited City resources should go.
Strong Neighborhoods
Strong neighborhoods aren't created by one big project. They're shaped by the things residents see and deal with every day — property maintenance, vacant buildings, streets, sidewalks, safety and the condition of the areas around their homes.
Those everyday issues deserve attention, and residents who know their neighborhoods should have a meaningful place in identifying what needs it.
Neighborhood Revitalization
Strong neighborhoods don't stay strong without attention and investment. In parts of District 1, years of deferred maintenance, vacant or deteriorating properties and aging commercial corridors have taken a toll — but decline doesn't have to be permanent.
I want a more deliberate approach to neighborhood revitalization that brings together consistent code enforcement, problem-property reduction, rehabilitation and reuse of vacant structures, responsible infill housing, landlord engagement and reinvestment in our commercial corridors.
That also means looking for outside funding, partnerships and incentives that can help property owners improve homes and businesses without placing the entire burden on taxpayers.
Revitalization should be measured by what residents can actually see: fewer problem properties, more homes returned to productive use, stronger commercial corridors and neighborhoods where people want to stay and invest.
District 1 shouldn't have to wait for decline to become a crisis before we act.
Supporting Small and Local Business
Our local businesses are part of what makes Independence home. Supporting economic growth shouldn't only mean recruiting the next large development. It should also mean helping the businesses already here succeed and making it easier for someone with a good idea to open a business in our community.
I want to look closely at the City's processes from the business owner's side — permits, inspections, licensing, zoning, fees and the steps required to get from an idea to an open door. Where the process can be simpler, clearer or faster without sacrificing necessary standards, we should fix it.
We should also do a better job connecting existing businesses and entrepreneurs with available resources, redevelopment opportunities and programs they may not even know exist.
You shouldn't have to know your way around City Hall to do business in Independence.
And when we talk about economic development, I want our existing small and local businesses to have a seat at that table too.
New Opportunities for District 1
District 1 has commercial areas with room for new businesses, investment and activity. Some opportunities are obvious. Others may take a little more work to find.
I want us to be intentional about identifying those opportunities and finding ways to connect the right investment with the right places, while building on the businesses and neighborhoods already here.
Thoughtful Growth
Independence needs growth, investment and new opportunities — but growth should make life better for the people who already call our city home.
When major developments come before the City, I want us asking more than “What will this bring?” We should also ask what it will cost, what infrastructure and services it will require, what taxpayers are being asked to contribute, and what the long-term return will be for our community, and how we'll know whether the promised public benefit was actually delivered.
Good development should strengthen neighborhoods, support our local economy, create lasting value and fit into a larger plan for where Independence is going — not simply solve today's need while creating tomorrow's problem.
I support growth. I also believe growth should earn its place by bringing lasting value to Independence and the people who live here.
Making Public Investment Count
When public money goes into a project or program, we should know what we're trying to accomplish, what results we expect and how those results will be measured.
Council's responsibility shouldn't end when the money is approved. We should follow the results, understand what we've spent and what's still ahead, and be willing to change course when something isn't delivering what taxpayers were told to expect.
Meaningful Council Review
I support establishing a practical Council Contract Review Standard for significant agreements, with greater scrutiny for major expenditures, multi-year commitments, utility obligations, development incentives, PILOT agreements and other decisions that could have substantial or long-term consequences.
The City Manager should manage the City's operations, and Council should provide meaningful oversight of the commitments it is being asked to approve. That's not micromanagement — it's responsible governance.