Roving Reporter: It All Started With a Fountain
The American Public Works Association's (APWA) latest Roving Reporter article explores how Kansas City's Southwest Boulevard went from a neglected, dangerous corridor to a model of community-centered revitalization.
When City Engineer Nicolás Bosonetto attended a Westside neighborhood meeting in 2022, frustrated residents pointed to a non-operational fountain as proof the city didn't care about their mostly Hispanic community. Bosonetto listened—and acted. He secured funding and worked with residents to create a plan that honors their heritage without displacing them.
Now, the dangerous four-lane speedway is becoming a safer three-lane boulevard with a protected bike path, pedestrian crossings, and improvements timed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The article shows what happens when public works professionals truly listen to communities. Sometimes, addressing a broken fountain can transform a neighborhood.
About Roving Reporter
Roving Reporter is APWA's series taking viewers behind the scenes of innovative public works projects across North America.
Through on-site interviews, the series highlights the people, challenges, and solutions shaping our communities' infrastructure.
