Building Neighborhoods That Work | Kansas City News

Lawrence is boldly looking west, with City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry drawing lessons from Chula Vista’s success in building self-sufficient neighborhoods. After commissioners greenlit the Beacon Landing annexation — complete with housing, retail, and entertainment — and another pending deal for over a thousand homes, Al-Ghafry is pushing for thoughtful, mixed-use development. He warns of a “systems problem” and insists true neighborhood vitality requires jobs, services, and recreation all within walking distance — like that coffee shop nestled beside a grocery store. Avoiding “Not In My Backyard” mindsets and fostering collaboration between developers and residents is key to keeping people rooted. Al-Ghafry also stresses that tackling citywide challenges — from airports to affordable housing — demands clear roles and teamwork, not solo heroics. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3c2526cb6ed0e9a7