May 6, 2024

 

Missouri Municipal League Announces 2024 MML Innovation Award Winners

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Municipal League is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 MML Innovation Awards! These awards honor outstanding projects happening in communities across Missouri that enhance the quality of life for Missouri cities.

The projects illustrate the creativity of Missouri’s local officials and municipal employees as they serve their communities and keep Missouri cities vibrant.

Cities across the state also celebrate Missouri Local Government Week this week (May 5-11.) It is the perfect time to highlight the MML Innovation Award winners, as these projects demonstrate the dedication of those serving in local government. They also emphasize the valuable partnerships city officials develop with other cities, nonprofit organizations, businesses and citizens.

Awards are based on city population size, except for the Member Choice award, where MML members vote for their favorite project regardless of city size. This year, MML received 23 submissions from municipalities statewide, demonstrating the creativity and ingenuity within local government.

Learn more about Local Government Week at www.mocities.com and find more information regarding the MML Innovation Awards at www.mocities.com/InnovationAwards.

This year’s winners are:

City of Independence (Metro City, with population more than 30,000)
Independence TOGETHER

The city of Independence, Community Services League (CSL) and the Missouri Department of Transportation launched a roadside cleanup program, Independence TOGETHER. With the help of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the program focuses on addressing two key community priorities – assisting residents who are experiencing homelessness, and community beautification.

Individuals who are unhoused or experiencing unstable housing are paid daily at a rate of $12/hour for their work cleaning up roadside litter along main city streets. An additional $3/hour is put in a housing savings fund. After every 100 hours, employees can request the $300 be paid toward housing expenses. On top of monetary benefits, employees are also provided with proper work attire and supplies.

Launched in March 2023, this program has seen numerous “graduates” move into stable housing. In the first 10 months, the program has had 73 total applicants (that had to be paused due to the long wait list). Of the 25 applicants that have been hired, 15 have been moved into permanent housing.

The program serves as a model that can be replicated in other cities. The program's success lies in its holistic approach, which addresses both homelessness and community beautification through a single initiative. 

 

City of Grandview (Large City, with population 15,000 -30,000)
Monarchs on Main

Grandview’s Main Street underwent a $6 million transformation from 2012-2016, spurring a revitalization of what is considered by many today to be the heart of the City. When the City decided to eliminate contracted maintenance of Main Street and add a horticulturalist, Parks & Recreation staff took the opportunity to grow Main Street into something more. Staff came up with Monarchs on Main. By supplementing milkweed to the existing native landscaping along the street, the plant life would provide life-sustaining resources for part of the ecosystem in the form of a butterfly highway. With just $10,000 and some mulch and milkweed, a one-mile stretch of Grandview Main Street now blossoms and blooms April through September and has become a Certified Monarch Waystation, contributing to monarch butterfly conservation and its spectacular migration.

 

City of Kearney (Medium City, with population 5,000 – 15,000)
19^th Street Interchange & Complete Street Project

The 19^th Street Interchange and Complete Street Project includes the construction of a new diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 35 and 19^th Street, as well as the construction of a Complete Street between Nation Road and Watson Drive. The project connects a community that was divided by the interstate and provides safer access for all. The project includes three new roundabouts located at Watson Drive, the future Sam Barr Drive connection and Nation Road working in concert to support traffic and economic activity as the area develops.

 

The Complete Street portion of the project includes bike lanes, shared use paths and sidewalks to promote a healthy community, improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, and provide transportation options promoting and improving the quality of life of residents and visitors.

 

The project team was vast and included City staff, MoDOT, adjacent property owners, the Federal Highway Administration, and other regulating agencies. The team worked together to enhance local and regional connectivity, improve safety, promote economic development and create a beautiful state-of-the-art entry to the city of Kearney.

 

The project construction began in Spring of 2022 and opened to traffic in Fall of 2023.

 

City of Butler (Small City, with population under 5,000)
Kenton and Friends Inclusive Playground

Kenton and Friends Playground was the fruition of a community-driven, City-supported inclusive playground project.  The aim was to create a community-accessible recreational space that could be enjoyed by people of all abilities and ages within Butler and surrounding communities. The project was led by a committee of volunteers with support from city officials and involved seeking proposal bids for playground equipment accommodating individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, as well as catering to the full community.

The project committee involved community members, including individuals with disabilities, caregivers, parents, special education educators, local organizations, and government entities, to ensure the playground met the diverse needs of Butler. The goal was to foster social inclusion, promote physical activity, and provide an engaging environment where everyone could play together without barriers.

 

Member Choice Award
City of Independence
Independence TOGETHER

The city of Independence, Community Services League (CSL) and the Missouri Department of Transportation launched a roadside cleanup program, Independence TOGETHER. With the help of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the program focuses on addressing two key community priorities – assisting residents who are experiencing homelessness, and community beautification.

Individuals who are unhoused or experiencing unstable housing are paid daily at a rate of $12/hour for their work cleaning up roadside litter along main city streets. An additional $3/hour is put in a housing savings fund. After every 100 hours, employees can request the $300 be paid toward housing expenses. On top of monetary benefits, employees are also provided with proper work attire and supplies.

Launched in March 2023, this program has seen numerous “graduates” move into stable housing. In the first 10 months, the program has had 73 total applicants (that had to be paused due to the long wait list). Of the 25 applicants that have been hired, 15 have been moved into permanent housing.

The program serves as a model that can be replicated in other cities. The program's success lies in its holistic approach, which addresses both homelessness and community beautification through a single initiative. 

 

About MML
The Missouri Municipal League provides a united voice for municipalities across Missouri.  Founded in 1934, MML now serves more than 650 municipalities with training, resources and legislative advocacy for local government success. Learn more at www.mocities.com.

 

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