By Tyler Schneider
In 2008, Forbes listed Grandview, Missouri, as the eighth fastest dying city in the country. 15 years later, during the city’s 20th annual State of the City luncheon at SVB Wood Flooring on March 13, city leaders gathered to celebrate what they see as a remarkable turnaround.
The event featured a fairly notable guest list that included Jackson County Executive Frank White, Independence Mayor Rory Rowland, Sugar Creek Mayor Mike Larson, Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross, Raytown Mayor Mike McDonough, Jackson County Legislator DaRon McGee, Grandview’s own State Rep. Anthony Ealy, and members of city and school boards.
“This is my ninth year as mayor of Grandview, and serving our community is truly one of the greatest blessings that I have been blessed with,” Grandview Mayor Leonard Jones Jr. said in his opening remarks.
“No one can tear down what is built up strong. And we did it right,” he added. “Grandview’s finances are strong, and the Board of Aldermen and I continue to be committed to the city’s long term financial stability by preparing the city for the future.”
The city used the occasion to launch a new slogan: “Building a community for the future.”
In announcing the forward-thinking phrase, Jones referenced a familiar March 2022 Kansas City Business Journal story that touted “the Grandview Miracle.”
Though he said he was wholly appreciative of the recognition, Jones said: “I wish it were as easy as a miracle.”
The truth of the matter, according to Jones, is that the city’s economic turnaround has been the product of years of behind the scenes work by the city’s officials and employees. Since 2018, Jones said the city’s budget has nearly doubled. Meanwhile, it has retained its AA- credit rating.
Jones stepped aside for several minutes as the traditional annual Grandview hype video, titled “Grow With Grandview,” offered recent recaps and highlights of what the city had accomplished in areas such as infrastructure and business development over the past year.
Among those at the top of the stack was the completion of the I-49 two-way outer road conversion, on which work finished in November. The largest infrastructure project in the city’s history cost Grandview just $3 million out of the $15 million total price tag, thanks to a partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Last year’s voter-approved bond package, titled “Building Up Grandview,” brought in a number of additional street surface repairs, bridge maintenance, and other necessary additions like a new city fire-truck and facility improvements.
Funds raised through that approved bond package include $1 million worth of improvements for Main Street and $7 million for additional roadwork throughout the city.
Grandview Public Works Director Doug Wesselschmidt described these infrastructure projects as, “essentially 14 years worth of street resurfacing.”
Jones returned to the podium to note that the first phase of the Kansas City Southern Bridge replacement project is expected to begin by the end of the year. He added that the city also recently finished additional renovations at the historic Harry S. Truman Family Farm.
Jones announced that the quest to bring a second grocery store to town on Grandview’s west side is now being spearheaded by Economic Development Director David Carranza. Carranza has been tasked with addressing a growing concern that the city is becoming a food desert for lower-income residents who do not have their own personal transportation.
For the many educators, parents, and particularly active citizens in attendance, Jones pointed out that a similar “State of Grandview Education” presentation would be delivered by Grandview School District Superintendent Dr. Kenny Rodrequez on March 30.
Another new program, a free five-week course known as the Grandview Citizens Academy, will launch its first session in City Hall on Thursday, March 16, at 6 p.m.
“Any resident or business owner who is interested in learning more about local government can sign up for our brand new session,” Jones said of this latest addition to the city’s citizen-oriented services.
Jones closed his speech with a reminder about the upcoming April 4 vote on adding a three-percent city tax on recreational marijuana. He said the money from these sales would be put directly back into the city’s general fund and encouraged residents to show up at the polls to help the cause. Grandview has at least one recreational cannabis shop within city limits at present in ReLeaf Resources.
As has become a tradition in recent years, a second reading of the address took place at 6 p.m. later that evening at the Mid-Continent Public Library. A video of the speech is available on the city’s official Facebook page.