Renovations and Plans for the City Building at 20201 Jackson Drive

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - In early 2024, the City of Independence purchased a vacant building: 20201 Jackson Drive, formerly the Landmark Building or the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) building.  Currently, the City of Independence plans to move most City departments to the building in Spring 2025 to increase efficiency, accessibility. and address space constraints.

 

It is estimated it would cost roughly $40 million to make structural repairs, renovations, and bring the current City Hall building at 111 E. Maple Ave into ADA compliance, but that would not address the space constraints. At a cost of $20 million, the building on Jackson Drive came fully furnished, has the space to house hundreds of employees in one location, and is fully ADA compliant. Simply said, it's not fiscally responsible to renovate City Hall to bring it up to code.  

 

This move also improves efficiency- both the City's, and residents' - by having almost everything citizens need from the Independence City government in one place.  It improves efficient use of space and time, with more than 350 employees in a centralized location.  There is ample parking at the Jackson Drive location as well, which addresses a common citizen complaint of the current City Hall. 

 

There is more work to do and Independence residents will hear from the city many more times before any changes are made.  

 

In addition, the city is embarking on a downtown Independence Square redevelopment plan to drive both people and economic activity to the Historic Independence Square.  The City recognizes businesses, activities and mixed-use development contributes to a vibrant historic area. Research shows that city buildings provide little economic activity - unlike museums, theaters, recreation and community centers, and other businesses.  

 

The City is sharing its proposed Square Redevelopment plan with the City Council at the November 12 study session, which is open to the public and can also be streamed online via the City's YouTube channel and viewed on City7 to Comcast subscribers. 

 

At the same time, the city is considering a General Obligation (G.O.) Bond proposal which could help create opportunities for greater economic activity for Independence Square. A Citizens Advisory Committee for the GO Bond proposal is actively meeting in September and October of 2024.  Past meetings are available on the City's YouTube Channel.  

 

The Independence Utilities Center, located off 23rd street, was formerly the Medical Center of Independence (MCI) Hospital.  It was renovated in 2018 and discussions are underway to potentially convert it into a new Independence Police Department and Justice Center.   This is also one of the proposed components of a G.O. Bond.   

Much of the above is still in a planning stages.  It's important to note that nothing will change for several months, and the City will provide more information as plans move from proposed to finalized.