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CBKC Awarded $1 Million for Residences at Overlook
Community Builders of Kansas City’s (CBKC) was awarded $1 million from the Kansas City, Missouri, Central City Economic Development (CCED) sales tax incentive program for its Residences at Overlook development.
The Residences of Overlook is the first of many projects to follow on the success of the sleek and modern Offices at Overlook, a transformational development that replaced blighted lots at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Chestnut Ave., with a three-story, 60,000-square-foot office building featuring private tenant roof terraces. Health Forward Foundation will be anchor/owner of Offices at Overlook, consistent with CBKC’s mission to provide in-demand services to the surrounding community.
The Residences at Overlook in projected to have approximately 117 covered parking spaces and 164 mixed-income multi-family units offering contemporary upscale housing and sought-after amenities in one-, two- and three-bedroom units with modern, high-end furnishings.
“CBKC is pleased to have received this investment for a pioneering project, which reflects the CCED team’s recognition of the importance of delivering high-quality, community-focused housing in the urban core – the type of housing CBKC is known for,” said Shannon Hesterberg, CBKC chief operations and real estate officer.
CBKC announced the first Overlook District project in April of 2020. Along with the office and residential buildings, the 11-acre campus will include a three-quarter-mile walking trail open to the public, outdoor event plazas for business and community gatherings and accommodate 19,000-square-feet of future mixed-use development.
Kansas City, Missouri’s CCED tax program is a voter-approved initiative funded by a 1/8-cent sales tax, dedicated to reinvesting in Kansas City’s East Side to support equitable economic growth, housing and small business development. Administered by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), it focuses on transforming disadvantaged areas by promoting shared prosperity through projects that create jobs, affordable housing and opportunities for residents.
New Ideas, Same Commitment: Ed Bell Leads Blue Hills Forward
When Ed Bell stepped into the role of president of the Blue Hills Neighborhood Association in 2023, it was not because he was looking for the spotlight. Quite the opposite, actually.
“My elders told me to do it,” Bell said. “I just wanted to help in the background.”
But when longtime community leader Linda Brown – affectionately known as “Mama” – asked him to take the helm, he could not say no. The neighborhood needed new energy, fresh ideas and someone willing to carry the torch forward.
Bell was already deeply involved. He has lived in the Blue Hills neighborhood for about 20 years, has been active in community service since high school and serves as a vice principal with Kansas City Public Schools. Leadership for him has always been about responsibility and showing up.
That mindset translated quickly into action. One of Bell’s early initiatives was managing a half-million-dollar minor home repair program funded through a city grant. He personally oversaw the program vetting contractors, managing payments and ensuring repairs were completed smoothly with zero issues.
“It’s about trust,” he said. “And being accountable to your neighbors.”
Another hallmark of his leadership has been the launch of Blue Hills Park Day each June – a large, successful event that brings residents together for music, food resources and fun. With partners like the Kansas City Jazz Academy, DJs, food trucks and city and county service providers, the event runs all day and, notably, has been without violence or disruption.
“I want to highlight the assets we have and give people a reason to come together, and strengthen relationships,” Bell said.
Bell also has reinforced partnerships for Blue Hills Neighborhood Association with organizations like the Salvation Army helping deliver food, clothing, toiletries utilities assistance and mental health resources – all while leading by example, explaining that he participates in volunteering done by the association and its residences.
“I was nurtured,” he said, “and I want to show the elders that their investment wasn’t in vain. And show the younger generation what responsibility looks like.”
Bell credits much of his approach to strong role models. His mother has been a nurse for more than 50 years, including in the military. His father served as a Green Beret and paratrooper. Service, discipline and care for others were foundational lessons at home and at church. Bell has been a member of St. James Methodist since his pre-teen years.
Another strong role model for Bell has been Emmet Pierson, Jr., president and CEO of Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC). Bell’s professional journey began at CBKC. Bell earned his bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science from Park University, an executive MBA from Benedictine and a certificate in management and school leadership from Harvard. Afterward, he interned with Swope Community Builders under Pierson. He credits Pierson as a guiding presence over the past 20 plus years.
“Emmet to me is a combination of mentor and big brother and yes, sometimes he’s had to scold me,” Bell laughed. “But he’s always been there for me.”
Those “elders” of the neighborhood Bell refers to are additional role models, especially Linda Brown. When asked a key lesson he learned from Brown, Bell noted placing a high priority on responsiveness and communication.
The Blue Hills Neighborhood Association serves nearly 20,000 residents in zip code 64130, so staying connected is critical. Communication is carried out through monthly board meetings, regular Community Action Network gatherings, committee work, social media updates, phone blasts and sometimes by Bell just walking through the door to talk with neighbors.
“The association has to be a resource hub,” Bell said. “There’s a lot happening at City Hall – grants, programs and services – that people don’t always know about.”
The neighborhood’s Community Action Network buildings also help bridge that gap. City staff are present in some of the buildings, bringing city services to the residents literally where they live.
One of the buildings houses the office of the neighborhood association that is staffed by one full-time business office manager, volunteers like Bell himself and a dedicated board that Bell describes as amazing – diverse, engaged and deeply committed.
Looking ahead, Bell’s vision is both practical and aspirational. He sums up his priorities in five words: life, and life more abundant. That means expanding neighborhood programming, tackling blight through partnerships and creating sustainable revenue streams so the association isn’t always chasing grants. It also means changing the narrative.
“I want to change the public perception about this area,” Bell said.
He plans to connect Blue Hills’ parks through trails and markers, creating QR codes that tell the story of each space and positioning the neighborhood as a destination eligible for neighborhood development and tourism funding.
Recently reelected to a four-year term as Blue Hills president, Bell remains focused on what matters most: relationships, trust and creating space for people to thrive.
Taking a page from Pierson’s playbook, Bell said, “Emmet empowers you to let your light shine, and if you need it, he’ll give you his kerosene, and that’s how I try to lead.”
To Bell, success in his role is simple but profound: a neighborhood that is safe, healthy and vibrant, in both its buildings and its people – a place where you can plant roots and where people work together for positive change.
Urban Ranger Corps of Kansas City: Building Up Caring and Responsible Young Men
For two decades, the Urban Ranger Corps of Kansas City (URC) has been changing lives — one young man at a time.
Founded with a clear purpose, URC’s mission is simple but powerful: to build up caring and responsible young men. The organization prepares at-risk youth for responsible and productive futures through disciplined work experience, community service, leadership development and individualized planning for life after high school.
“Through discipline, service, mentorship and opportunity, the URC’s mission is preparing young men not just to succeed, but to lead,” said Erik Dickinson, president.
The Urban Ranger Corps, located at 42nd St. and Broadway in Kansas City, Missouri, serves boys and young men ages 12 to 18, providing them with the life skills, structure and support needed to become successful, contributing members of society. URC takes a holistic approach, helping participants see beyond their immediate surroundings and imagine broader possibilities for their future.
Programming focuses on career and academic enrichment, financial and entrepreneurial education and neighborhood and community involvement. Through this well-rounded approach, participants learn responsibility, accountability, teamwork and leadership — skills that serve them well in school, the workplace and life.
Since its beginning, the Urban Ranger Corps has worked with more than 973 young men, many of whom have gone on to attend college, join the military, or enter the workforce prepared and confident.
Each summer, URC participants take part in an intensive six- to seven-week Summer Work Program designed to combine meaningful employment with character development.
During the summer session, participants engage in structured work and leadership activities and learn character traits essential for long-term success. In return they receive a paid stipend for their participation.
“The program blends hands-on experience with personal growth opportunities,” said Dickinson. “Summer activities include community service projects such as Swope Park restoration, college and local business tours and enrichment classes like Conflict Resolution, helping participants develop both practical and interpersonal skills.”
URC’s impact doesn’t stop when summer ends. During the school-year session, participants receive consistent, individualized support through one-on-one and small-group engagement with Success Coaches and volunteer mentors.
“URC mentors are now located in seven Kansas City Public Schools locations during Advisory period, allowing more access to the program,” said Dickinson.
Those mentors work closely with participants to emphasize the importance of education, set school improvement and personal goals, explore higher education and career pathways and prepare for life after high school.
School-year activities also include meaningful community involvement, such as volunteering with Heart to Heart International and Feed My Starving Children, as well as leadership-focused experiences like attending the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, participating in Trivia Night and celebrating achievements at the End-of-Year Celebration.
Dickinson said URC averages a 100% high school graduation rate and 70-80% retention rate for the program. He said the most rewarding part of his job is when he sees a former member succeeding in life.
“I was at the barber shop and ran into a young man I hadn’t seen in years,” Dickinson recalled. “He said he was living in Brooklyn and working at a community center because of his experience at URC. It doesn’t get any more fulfilling than that.”
He also cited a graduate who attended University of Kansas and became a physical therapist and another who started his own electrical business.
“Success stories like these motivate me every day to continue strengthening and growing URC,” Dickinson said. “My goal is to expand into Kansas City, Kansas schools and, ultimately, beyond the Kansas City region.”
At its core, the Urban Ranger Corps of Kansas City is about more than programs — it’s about building character, confidence and community. By investing in young men during some of the most formative years of their lives, URC helps create a stronger Kansas City for generations to come.
This Team Extends CBKC’s Ability to Achieve Its Mission
Ebonie and Tarold Davis are crushing it in real estate development and Community Builders of Kansas City has been both a supporter and beneficiary of their growing success.
Ebonie has more than a dozen years’ experience with big area law firms as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, handling all aspects of commercial and residential real estate transactions and more before hanging up her own shingle, The Davis Law Office, in 2024.
“I did not envision being an entrepreneur, that was more Tarold’s realm,” she said. “It was a leap of faith and yet, just by word of mouth, the work has grown beyond my expectations.”
Her case load includes development, commercial leasing, acquisitions and divestitures, as well as navigating the very rigorous incentive channels for affordable housing work. “Affordable housing work can be tedious but so rewarding,” she said. “You see firsthand how your work transitions families from living in rough conditions to beautiful and affordable homes.”
Tarold started The Acquisition Group (TAG), a real estate development and investment company, in 2021 after years with an area company focused on quality affordable housing development in multiple states.
“When I launched my company, CBKC came right alongside me,” Tarold said. “Emmet (Pierson, Jr., president and CEO), Shannon (Hesterberg, chief operations and real estate officer) and Steve (Weatherford, chief financial officer) knew me. CBKC supported me on an earlier project, and they continue to involve TAG in different deals. It is pretty rare to have the support of an organization like CBKC.”
Both Ebonie and Tarold are working with CBKC on Urban 38, a redevelopment of the former Ivanhoe Gardens, an 80-unit multi-family property located adjacent to Bruce R. Watkins Drive at 37th & Euclid.
“They are a great young couple experienced in all aspects of developing quality affordable housing,” said Pierson. “They are experts in navigating the complexities of this kind of project, from legal and financing through construction and project delivery. They extend the CBKC team in such a good way.”
Tarold’s vision is for TAG to be vertically integrated, increasing efficiencies so the company can do projects that are socially responsible. “We are intentional about developing for a greater purpose, not just to make money,” he said. “It’s beyond development – we are a community partner.”
Ebonie shares that vision as well as some encouragement for other would-be entrepreneurs, “Don’t be afraid to pursue what you are passionate about. It can not only be a fulfilling career, but an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
Coalition Forms to Address Housing in Kansas City and Surrounding Communities
The Greater Kansas City Regional Housing Partnership recently launched to serve as a central entity to research, coordinate resources and act on the critical issue of housing affordability and instability in the region.
RHP came together with the support of founding partners Mid-America Regional Council and LISC Kansas City and aims to deliver a housing system that supplies attainable quality housing options for area residents.
“Everyone – Kansas City, Overland Park and other surrounding communities – was looking at this complex problem of affordable housing and how best to deal with it,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., president, Community Builders of Kansas City. “This coalition of not-for-profits and municipalities has a chance to make a difference by coming together to address the issue comprehensively and holistically.”
The RHP initiative has received funding to date from the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, the Health Forward Foundation, the Hall Family Foundation, the Sunderland Foundation and others.
“Every municipality is trying to solve the problem of attainable housing on its own, but the problem is huge,” said Pierson. “It will be important to take the funds devoted to this coalition and leverage them, extend them from millions or tens of millions, to hundreds of millions in development to meet the RHP’s mission – to foster a thriving housing system that produces and sustains a supply of quality, diverse housing options.”
More information and resources such as a housing data hub, locator and data analysis as well as how to support the initiative can be found at https://kcrhp.org/.
Season of Giving at CBKC
The holiday spirit was in full swing at Community Builders of Kansas City’s Sixth Annual Turkey Drop, where more than 700 turkeys and 1,000 Thanksgiving meal kits rolled out to Kansas Citians just in time for the holiday. The celebration went beyond meals, with Truman’s Mobile Market distributing fresh produce, the Kansas City Public Library’s Bookmobile team giving away 350 books and University Health providing free flu and COVID vaccinations available on-site.
The season of giving continued with the fifth annual Soul of Santa Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Shops on Blue Parkway on Friday, Dec. 5. More than 150 community members gathered for a family-friendly night filled with joy, connection and holiday cheer. The evening’s highlights included the lighting of a stunning 50-foot Christmas tree and live performances from local favorites, including The Next Paige Youth Dancers, Royal Chief – creator of the KC Current theme song – the Kansas City Boys & Girls Choir and KC Fusion Drillteam.
Mayor Quinton Lucas, Mayor Pro Tem Rayna Parks-Shaw and 5th District At-Large Councilmember Darrell Curls joined the festivities, which were emceed by FOX4 anchor Brea Love. Major League Baseball legend Joe Carter and Savvy Salon founder Lenora Leathers had the honor of lighting the tree, while Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggerrr delighted guests throughout the night. Hot 103 Jamz! broadcast live from the event, Russell Stover sweetened the evening with treats and the Salvation Army warmed spirits with hot cocoa.
Behind the fun was an even greater purpose: supporting The Soul of Santa (TSOS) “Do Good” Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to connecting individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to vital resources and community support. Through storytelling, mentorship, wellness initiatives, education, food security and cultural programming, TSOS works to uplift the mind, body and soul – ensuring every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
The celebration continued the next morning with the Blue Parkway Community Breakfast, where families enjoyed a hot meal, free toys for children, family portraits provided by The Kansas City Star, gift cards provided by Taliaferro & Browne and holiday activities. More than 300 pieces of clothing were donated and kids enjoyed photos with The Soul of Santa, coloring stations and hands-on fun.
A heartfelt thank you to all our partners who helped make the holidays merrier and brighter.