A major change is underway for one of Kansas City’s most important community investment tools. The Central City Economic Development (CCED) program — funded by a voter-approved ⅛-cent sales tax — will now be administered by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), a move city leaders say will strengthen oversight, improve collaboration, and deliver greater impact for neighborhoods in the city’s urban core.
What is CCED?
Launched in 2017 after voters approved the dedicated sales tax, CCED was designed to spur economic growth in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Council Districts, areas that for decades saw limited private investment. The program’s mission is broad but clear: support affordable housing, small business growth, cultural preservation, and community-driven revitalization.
Since its inception, CCED has directed more than $60 million into 60 projects intended to uplift neighborhoods often left out of Kansas City’s development boom. Its funding has backed everything from housing and community centers to museums and cultural institutions.
A Slow But Steady Start
Despite its promise, the program faced criticism in its early years. Residents and developers noted that the application process was slow and sometimes confusing, while some projects stalled or took years to break ground. Questions about transparency and accountability also dogged the program.
But as the years went on, the program’s impact became visible. “Their growing list of projects is transforming the city’s east side,” said Dion Lewis, deputy director of Housing for KCMO, in a city release.
Among the notable CCED-supported projects:
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Hotel ($3.9 million, 1800 Paseo)
- Zhou B Art Center ($1.9 million, 1801 E. 18th St.)
- KD Academy/MACPEN Enterprise ($1 million, day care.)
- Jazz Hill Apartments (redevelopment) ($4.12 million, affordable housing)
- The Parker ($4 million , 18th & Vine mixed-income housing / commercial)
- Parade Park Homes Redevelopment (Phase 1) ($5 million)
- BT Washington Wheatley Townhomes ($1,825,130)
- Ageless Adventures, LLC ($427,000, adult day services center)
- Historic Boone Theater rehab ($8.7 million, 1701 E. 18th St.)
These investments represent both cultural preservation and essential services — a blend of projects aimed at strengthening the city’s fabric.
Why the Transition?
City leaders say moving CCED under EDCKC is less about changing its mission than about improving how it operates. Melissa Patterson Hazley, 3rd District Councilmember, framed the shift as a way to align CCED with a broader development ecosystem.
“This transition isn’t about changing the CCED program — it’s about making it stronger,” Patterson Hazley said. “By aligning CCED with EDCKC’s broader incentive services and development capacity while maintaining a strong partnership with City Hall, we are building a more cohesive, efficient, and responsive ecosystem for revitalizing our communities.”
As administrator, EDCKC will appoint a dedicated CCED director and deploy its development team to manage implementation. That includes clearer performance metrics, stronger project tracking, and more consistent communication with developers and neighborhoods.
Why This Matters
Tracey Lewis, executive director of EDCKC, said the organization is committed to keeping the program’s original goals at the forefront while ensuring projects are managed with professional oversight.
“We’re honored to take on the administration of the CCED program and help steward this important tool for community investment,” Lewis said. “By aligning CCED with EDCKC’s broader development efforts, we’re not only enhancing efficiency — we’re ensuring that projects are delivered with the transparency, equity, and impact our residents deserve.”
Supporters believe the change will bring long-term consistency to a program that has sometimes struggled with capacity. EDCKC’s existing network of developers, legal advisors, and financial experts positions it to guide projects more effectively, while ongoing partnerships with technical advisors will continue to shape investment decisions.
Looking Ahead
For residents in Kansas City’s east side, the stakes are high. The neighborhoods targeted by CCED represent some of the city’s richest cultural history and also some of its most persistent economic challenges.
By tying the program’s resources to EDCKC’s infrastructure, officials hope the result will be more than just new buildings. The goal, they say, is to create a more equitable, transparent, and community-driven process that can truly uplift “both the people and the places at the heart of Kansas City.”