Truman Neighbors

Progress Report: MCPL North Independence Branch 

Major renovation of Mid-Continent Public Library’s North Independence Branch renovation project is moving along quickly. The branch library should open by late 2010.

Pictures of the progress are available on the library website. Click here.

The renovation will include public meeting rooms, a separate children and young adult area, more public computers, study rooms and other major improvements to the building which was a grocery story before being converted into a public library.

While the branch is undergoing construction, the library has relocated to a temporary location in a porition of the the former Independence Regional Health Center.  More info

NPS proposes expansion of the National Historic Landmark District

The National Park Service is proposing a significant expansion of the National Historic Landmark District. (See map)

An informational meeting wiill be held at the Truman Visitor Center, 223 N. Main on Wed. Sept. 22. One meeting will be held from 1-3 pm and a second from 6-8 pm.

The NHLD designation is given to historic places that “possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.”

There are fewer than 2,500 designated structures nationally.

Independence Neighborhood Maps

The City of Independence Community Development Department recently produced several informative maps in preparation to apply for federal Neighborhood Stabilization Funds — money intended to address vacant and abandoned housing due to foreclosure.

The maps show census tracts that are eligible for funding and also provide detailed information about housing conditions and occupancy in neighborhoods

Download the maps

This contains valuable information about our neighborhood and others in our community.

There are three maps:

- Percentage foreclosures by census tract

- 90-day vacant rate by census tract

- Percentage high cost loans

Real McCoy Newsletter

We have a great neighborhood newsletter which is mailed to all residents and available online. Read the current edition | Read past newsletters

Impact of Historic Preservation Tax Credits

State and federal historic preservation tax credits have provided critical funding for some residential and commercial historic proservation projects in our neighborhood and the Independence.

A economic impact report on these tax credits was recently released. Read a story | Download the report

Crime stats: Truman Historic District

In preparation for a July meeting about Delaware St., the Independence Police Department prepared a map showing crime incidence over a three year period. Get the map.

Delaware Ave. Discussions

Thirty neighbors from Delaware and the Truman Historic District met to discuss ways to improve the city's most historic street. Read notes from the July meeting.

Read notes from October followup meeting.

What was early Independence like.

This animated feature shares comments for historian Bernard DeVeto who visited Independence during the 1840s. It captures some of the flavor for the frontier outpost where many prepared to head West.

Truman Historic District Nominated for Missouri's Most Endangered List 

Our neighborhood has been nominated for the 2008 Missouri's Ten Most Endangered Historic Places by  McCoy neighbor Brian Snyder.

Brian prepared a detailed nomination for to the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation which prepares the list annually.

Read Brian's full nomination.