Ladd Project

LocalCode Kansas City plans to transform the Ladd School from a symbol of disinvestment and exclusion to a vibrant community asset. 

The Ladd school, an historic landmark in the heart of Oak Park, has been vacant for over thirteen years. Ajia Morris, who lives four blocks away, has passed by the empty building almost every day since she moved into the neighborhood a few years ago. Ladd came up often in conversations with neighbors and friends, sharing ideas on how the building could benefit the community. These conversations  inspired Ajia to found LocalCode Kansas City and choose Ladd as the company’s first project.


 

Project Overview

Location | 3640 Benton Blvd, Kansas City

Scale | 3.6 Acre City Block

Historic Redevelopment | 56,000 SF

New Construction | 30,000 SF

 

Residential

  • 13 Two Bedroom Apartments

  • 24 One Bedroom Apartments

  • 14 Studios

Commercial

  • 8000sf Event Space (Auditorium, Great Hall)

  • 10,000sf Health and Wellness Center

  • 5,000sf Retail and Offices

  • 8,000sf Restaurant, Cafe, Commissary Kitchen

  • 50,000sf Parking / Outdoor Event Space

 

LocalCode’s vision for Ladd is based on the company’s understanding of the community’s needs and of what is possible with the existing building and site.  

Residential Apartments: Designed for Black professionals and their families to make Oak Park their home. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” 

Community Center & Event Space: Ladd’s auditorium, gym and grounds will provide much needed event space: movies, birthdays & weddings, music, neighborhood meetings, farmers markets, arts & culture. 

Health, Wellness & Beauty: Black owned, Black operated medical and health services, hair and nail shops, and massage/spa treatment, improving the health and wellness of Oak Park residents..

Restaurant & Cafe: Black owned, Black operated cafe/bookstore, restaurant and food trucks fill the void of food options in Oak Park.

Offices, Co-Working & Day Care: Neighborhood scale commercial space serving working mothers, independent contractors, and local businesses. 

 
 

Timeline

OCT 22 - MAR 23

Due Diligence

  • National Register

  • Tax Credit Allocation

  • Environmental & Structural

APR 23 - MAY 24

Pre-Construction

  • Design & Engineering

  • Construction Planning

  • Permitting

  • Financing

JUN 24 - AUG 25

Construction

  • Site work

  • Renovation

  • New Construction