Kansas City, MO. – Port KC and Driven Development are collaborating on a new housing development project at Linwood Boulevard and Main Street to directly address an urgent need for affordable housing. The project will transform a vacant lot into 60 two-bedroom apartments to serve medical industry workers from nearby health facilities.
This $20 million development represents a strategic, mission-driven response to the city’s growing housing needs. Once complete, the redevelopment is projected to generate more than $800,000 in new property tax revenue over the next 20 years, repurposing a long-vacant site.
This project will not only offer much needed housing, but marks the start of a partnership centered on identifying strategies and solutions to address the region’s growing housing affordability crisis.
Over the last several years, economic development, real estate, and housing leaders continue to stress evolving concerns about the availability and cost of affordable housing within the region. Driven Development, a newly formed nonprofit launched by VanTrust Real Estate, has already acquired and improved several existing properties throughout the metro, but turned to Port KC when it launched efforts to build new. The nonprofit will focus on developing new housing and rehabilitating existing properties in both Missouri and Kansas.
This effort also signals a long-term commitment from Port KC to serve as a connector and catalyst for sustainable, equitable development. Port KC is prioritizing housing as a core economic development strategy to bring more housing to Kansas City during this pivotal time, as housing prices and rental rates continue to rise across the metro.
By collaborating with developers, community stakeholders, and housing advocates, the organization aims to play a key role in creating sustainable, equitable housing opportunities. Linwood & Main will start construction in 2025 with expected completion in 2026.