Blighted area in Hickman Mills to see ‘true-to-market’ townhouses, apartments

The Loma Vista area of Hickman Mills plans to add more than 300 homes in a project by Black Whale Development, according to founder and director Emmanuel Vazquez. La Cima en Loma Vista is set to include 20 “true-to-market” townhomes called the Porches and 293 modern rental apartment units called the Reserve, offering options to both markets. 

Phase one of construction,  in early 2027, will construct the townhomes with future phases focusing on apartments. Black Whale Development plans to revitalize the blighted area south of 93rd Street, which currently has two boarded-up homes, Vazquez said. The property, near the former location of Bannister Mall, sits directly south of the Oracle Innovations Campus (previously Cerner).

The Loma Vista neighborhood was established in the 1950s and 1960s as a predominantly single-family neighborhood, according to Vazquez. Much of the housing stock has since aged and fallen into disrepair, contributing to blight in the area.

Rental costs at the Reserve are expected to start at $1,200 per month and go up to $2,500 per month for the largest units. The cost of a home in the Porches is expected to land in the $250,000 to $275,000 range with “first-to-market discount options, Vazquez said. He added that investors and partners are still determining how many units will be available for purchase upon completion.

Vazquez added the luxury townhomes are likely to be occupied by employees of the nearby Oracle Innovations Campus. La Cima en Loma Vista will not be funded through government subsidies such as the Missouri Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, despite most of Black Whale’s work being devoted to affordable housing.

Ryana Parks-Shaw, Kansas City’s Mayor Pro Tem and Councilwoman for the 5th District, said La Cima en Loma Vista will be a great addition to Hickman Mills. She highlighted its potential impacts on the school district, calling the project “an important piece of momentum” for south Kansas City.

La Cima en Loma Vista is a part of Black Whale’s Loma Vista Redevelopment Project, which got a $3 million city investment this year and has brought multiple projects to the area. Parks-Shaw specifically appreciates that Black Whale Development is taking a long-term approach to revitalizing the area instead of a “one-and-done” approach. The greater redevelopment project garnered a $3 million investment from Kansas City’s Housing Trust Fund in February.

“They’re continuing to invest in the area, and that is helping to change how people view south Kansas City,” Parks-Shaw said. 

Vazquez and Black Whale Development will partner with global real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield as well as Arkansas firm Whitten Development. Plans for the project were originally approved by Kansas City officials in 2022, but it was shelved due to the pandemic.

The “Loma Vista area of Hickman Mills in south Kansas City was named by westward-moving pioneers in the 1800s. More than 100 years ago, the hill at Loma Vista was a campsite on the Santa Fe, Oregon and California Trails, roughly one day’s travel from the outpost at Independence. 

Vazquez, who is from Mexico, says the name “La Cima en Loma Vista” is a nod to both Kansas City history and his Hispanic heritage. It roughly translates to “the summit view” or “the very top of the hill,” he said. 

La Cima en Loma Vista is set to break ground in early 2027. Vazquez said plans and entitlements are in place, but he continues working to determine cost estimates, borrowing needs and equity for closing.

“Once that hits closing,” Vazquez said, “We’ll be working the next day.”