Independence Mayor Don Reimal added an interesting tidbit to the story of the development of the eastern part of the city at a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to commemorate the official opening of the new Jackson Drive between 37th Terrace and R.D. Mize Road.
Reimal said the city long ago decided to develop parcels of land in the area.
“This area was annexed back in 1963 and moved the city limits from (Missouri) 291 to the Little Blue River,” Reimal said. “This has been a dream since then, to have this road put in place. We did the Jackson Drive to Bundschu (Road) section back in 1970, so you can see how long this project has taken to get under way.”
Reimal was joined by several City Council members, city staff and others at the ribbon cutting, including Centerpoint Medical Center Executive Carolyn Caldwell.
The new four-lane street gives direct access to Centerpoint on 39th Street.
“We are truly excited that Jackson Drive has been completed,” Caldwell said. “Several of my employees actually live in this area and have expressed to me they are able to arrive to work in just four minutes.”
John Powell, Independence’s public works director, said more than $12 million in tax increment financing associated with the construction of Centerpoint contributed to the construction of the road between 37th Terrace and R.D. Mize Road, which opened to traffic June 5.
“I think this is a great example of businesses and the city working together for a better community,” Caldwell said.
Powell said new bridges built over the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks and Crackerneck Creek were also part of the project, as well as a new traffic signal and turn lanes built at the R.D. Mize Road intersection.
The project is the first extension to Jackson Drive. Another project will extend Jackson Drive north to Missouri 78 by the end of next year, Powell said.
“That is what this is all about,” Reimal said, “expanding Independence and making it a hometown for people who have grown up here.”
