In 1879, Armourdale was platted adjacent to the Kansas City Stockyards to become a new company town for workers of the nearby railroads, ice houses, and meat-packing plants. Despite Armourdale’s early population growth, several devastating floods led to resident migration away from the community. The residents that remained endured declining living conditions, neglected infrastructure and minimal municipal services. A substantial population of Mexican immigrants moved to Armourdale beginning in the 1910’s, leading to segregation of the neighborhood, followed by enforcement of redlining and discriminatory lending practices. 

In 1951, the most extreme flood event in Kansas City’s history devastated Armourdale. Following the flood, significant levee and flood control projects were implemented primarily to protect Armourdale’s high-value railroad and industrial businesses. While these same flood control measures have protected Armourdale’s neighborhood core for the last 70 years, they have created an island-like condition for the community and contributed to decades of neglect. 

In 2020, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas commissioned the development of the first master plan for Armourdale since 1979. In order to identify community priorities and goals for the master plan, the Planning Team conducted an extensive community engagement effort. The 10-month planning process culminated in a master plan document focused on actionable strategies to strengthen Armourdale’s neighborhood core and improve quality of life for its residents. These strategies range from infrastructure improvements, municipal service upgrades, affordable housing, rent assistance, and job training, to expanding community-focused development and locally owned business initiatives.