Kansas City council launches survey for feedback on potential renaming of Troost Avenue

The Kansas City council launched a survey Tuesday to gather resident feedback as part of the process to potentially rename Troost Avenue so that the city’s dividing line no longer honors a slaveowner.

Council members passed a resolution in May to gather public feedback on renaming the 10.7 mile road, which honors Dr. Benoist Troost, the city’s first resident physician who enslaved at least six Black people in 1850.

Last year, Ruby Jean’s Juicery owner Chris Goode created a petition pushing for the name change. Goode, whose business is located along Troost, floated the idea of naming the roadway TRUTH Avenue to acknowledge the city’s racist history without honoring a slaveowner. He also hoped the city could find ways to educate passersby on racism in Kansas City.

Goode gathered public support through his petition and community meetings. The public interest led 3rd District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson to sponsor a resolution to create the survey to gather feedback.

Residents can share their thoughts on the potential renaming of Troost at www.kcmo.gov/programs-initiatives/rename-troost.

Robinson said the feedback will help council members draft an ordinance for the street renaming while considering community concerns. The resolution passed in May requires the city manager’s office to bring findings from the survey to the city council by July 9.

If the ordinance passes, the city’s Public Works Department will work to order and replace street signs and change individual addresses.