Councilman Rea Leads Indian Mound Asset Walk

City officials and neighborhood leaders toured Indian Mound streets to identify infrastructure and cleanup problems firsthand.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall

Buckled concrete sidewalk lifted by a tree root beside a curb on an empty autumn residential street, with brick houses in soft focus behind. — Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea and city department heads toured Indian Mound streets on October 27 to identify illegal dumping, buckling sidewalks, and an open manhole. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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City Councilman Crispin Rea and city department heads conducted a one-hour asset walk through the Indian Mound neighborhood on October 27, 2026, covering residential streets from the Mattie Rhodes Center to Budd Park. Public Works covered an open manhole at St. John Ave. and Drury Ave. with plywood and caution markers during the walk.

Why it matters

The walk was intended to let engineers and problem solvers see issues firsthand and begin developing solutions for Kansas City residents. Problems identified included illegal dumping, vacant and rehabbed homes, buckling sidewalks, and a damaged curb ramp.

The asset walk lasted one hour and began at 148 N. Topping Ave., and a home vacant for 12 years on the 300 N. blocks of Bellaire and White is among properties being rehabbed. Officials have not yet confirmed timelines for the proposed trail camera or the sidewalk and curb ramp repairs.

The players

Crispin Rea

Crispin Rea is the Kansas City city councilman who led the Indian Mound asset walk and his staff suggested a trail camera to address illegal dumping.

Jimmy Fitzner

Jimmy Fitzner is president of the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association who led the walking group down Scarritt Avenue in front of James Elementary.

Jessica Blackwell

Jessica Blackwell is a senior landscape designer with Kansas City Parks & Recreation who provided an update on approved Budd Park improvement funding.

The details

Councilman Rea and staff suggested installing a trail cam to help prosecute illegal dumping in an alley between N. Topping and N. Bellaire, and Neighborhood Planning and Development opened a case on trash on private property along the alley. Staff were also asked to address bulky trash along the 100 N. block of White Ave. and sidewalk buckling caused by large trees on N. White, while Parks & Recreation senior landscape designer Jessica Blackwell gave an update on approved Budd Park funding.

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026: Asset walk through Indian Mound with Councilman Rea
Week following the walk: Neighbors reported manhole replacement and alleyway tree trimming

City Hall Context

Hands-on neighborhood walks like this one let city engineers and department heads assess infrastructure in person before assigning fixes. The Indian Mound walk follows that approach, pairing Public Works, Neighborhood Planning and Development, and Parks & Recreation staff with residents' direct observations.

Residents near St. John Ave., the Indian Mound alleys, and the 300 N. blocks of Bellaire and White may see ongoing sidewalk, trash, and rehab work as city crews address the problems raised on the walk. The open manhole was covered with plywood and caution markers, and neighbors reported replacement and alleyway tree trimming the following week.

The takeaway

Residents who spot hazards like open manholes, illegal dumping, or damaged curb ramps can report them to city departments so they can be assessed and addressed.