What's happening?
Doug Weltner, the owner of the large parking lot on Westport Road and Mill Street, plans to develop the lot by adding at least two large buildings to house three national chain businesses.
Westport is a vibrant, historic district whose present and continued success depends on property owners who understand the value of building enhancement. Unfortunately, this new project threatens to degrade the identity of the neighborhood and impede local business owner efforts to create a community with a unique character and sense of place.

Why does this matter?
-The development will obscure four established, locally-owned businesses from view and make them less accessible to customers
-The development will exacerbate traffic congestion for Westport visitors, residents, and workers
-The development will eliminate a centrally-located and safe space for large Westport neighborhood events (St. Patrick's Day, Westport Art Fair, Middle of the Map Fest)
-The development will potentially create dangerous conditions for Westport workers who finish shifts late at night, as well as Westport patrons
- The development will adversely impact many Westport businesses that rely on available parking for their employees and guests

What can I do?
Westport business owners, residents, community members and workers are strongly opposed to this development plan. We are encouraging everyone who signs this petition to write a letter or email to the Kansas City Planning Commission, asking for a public meeting or hearing to allow our concerns and opposition to be heard prior to granting a building permit for this development.
Address for City Planning Commission: 414 E. 12th St., 15th Floor, City Hall, Kansas City, MO 64106.
Email address: planning@kcmo.org

Westport has suffered through chain expansions in the past, but this particular project amounts to a strip mall being erected front of beloved, locally-owned Westport businesses, and causing detrimental effects across the neighborhood as a whole. Local businesses have put a lot of hard work and time into keeping the neighborhood a thriving, vibrant, safe entertainment district. Westport deserves better.