Roving Reporter: It All Started With a Fountain
The American Public Works Association's (APWA) latest Roving Reporter (RR) 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. RR shows what happens when public works professionals truly listen to communities. Sometimes, addressing a broken fountain can transform an entire neighborhood.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (APWA) is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works goods and services.
With a worldwide membership of more than 32,000, APWA includes not only personnel from local, county, state, and federal agencies, but also private sector personnel who supply products and services to those professionals.
About Roving Reporter
Roving Reporter (RR) 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.
