How a newly closed parking garage could signal transformation for a living Downtown KC 

A series of transformative building projects are expected to help downtown Kansas City’s continued evolution as a resurgence in residents in the city’s core push new retail, offices and attractions, said Tommy Wilson.

“Downtown has actually been on an incredible growth trajectory since the beginning of 2003,” Wilson, director of business recruitment and research for the Downtown Council of Kansas City, told an audience Tuesday at Startland News LIVE. “During that time, we changed downtown from a single-use office district into a mixed use neighborhood for residents, visitors, and employees.”

Because that transformation happened over the past two decades, he continued, downtown Kansas City was better prepared than many other downtown regions across the country when the COVID-19 pandemic hit — decimated business districts anchored primarily by office buildings.

That resilience also set the stage for Kansas City to embark on ambitious projects like revamping Barney Allis Plaza and reconnecting downtown proper with the Crossroads Arts District via the South Loop Park project, Wilson said.

Phase 2 Barney Allis Plaza rendering courtesy of HOK, City of KCMO

Barney Allis Plaza’s reconstruction is officially in progress, with its underground parking garage having closed Monday. The Downtown Council recently announced the approval of an initial funding round for the $112.5 million project.

The goal is to transform the plaza into a destination green space for downtown with artwork, a children’s play area, an off-leash dog park, a community gathering space, and a one-story pavilion with food and beverage options, all endorsed by both the mayor and city council.

“Located in the heart of Kansas City, Barney Allis Plaza offers visitors a critical first impression of downtown,” the Downtown Council said in a press release. “Re-imagined from its current state into a thriving, arts-focused greenspace, there is tremendous potential for Barney Allis Plaza to become a world-class gathering place for residents and visitors alike, creating a huge draw for convention business and tourism sectors, as well as an iconic gathering space for residents.”

Demolition of the parking garage is planned for May — the opening salvo in a two-phase approach. By 2026, a new underground garage with 583 spaces will be in place as part of the redevelopment plan.

“The parking garage is starting to collapse in on itself, so it’s not safe to park there anymore,” Wilson said. “We’re going to rebuild it with a better park on top that seamlessly integrates with the city around it.”

Barney Allis Plaza rendering courtesy of HOK, City of KCMO

The park at Barney Allis Plaza is set to be activated in collaboration with the South Loop Park project, he added, noting the four-block amenity will cap I-670 and stretch from the Kansas City Convention Center to the T-Mobile Center.

South Loop Park project rendering

Fundraising for the park is ongoing with officials hoping to open at least a portion of the South Loop Park by the time the World Cup arrives in Kansas City in 2026, Wilson said.

“This park is going to be transformative — and along with visitors, will bring even more businesses and residents downtown,” he added.

With 80 percent of Kansas City employees now back in office since COVID, and the city almost reaching a pre-pandemic level of visitors with 10.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, the Downtown Council wants to keep the number rising with infrastructure that makes people want to stay out and about, officials said at the organizations recent annual luncheon.

“One of the goals for managing Downtown KC’s 2030 strategic plan is to ensure a livable city for all by fostering walkable, urban streets and creating a strategy of seamless mobility,” said Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Downtown Council board chair and chancellor at Metropolitan at Community College.

RELATED: These ‘Urban Heroes’ are helping evolve downtown KC; here’s why they’re on the right path

‘Time to double down’

In addition to park developments, state and local leaders touted efforts like the ongoing KC Streetcar expansion and residential initiatives like a $500 million project for a new and improved West Bottoms.

“There is a ton going on in downtown Kansas City, and I don’t say this lightly because I’m from the Eastside of Missouri, but Kansas City is kicking some tail up here,” said Mike Kehoe, lieutenant governor of Missouri. 

Celebrating the new CPKC stadium and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, people are continuing to flock to KC as sports draw more attraction to the city.

Bill Dietrich speaks at the annual luncheon for the Downtown Council of Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“Our recovery post-pandemic has been nothing but phenomenal and really is one of the nation’s leaders,” said Bill Dietrich, president of Downtown Council.

“Much has been accomplished, but much remains to be done, and our competition isn’t waiting for us to catch up,” Dietrich continued. “Now’s the time to double down on our efforts to ensure a much more resilient and diverse, greater downtown.”

KC Streetcar expansion route

Roo to riverfront ride

The KC Streetcar is headed to the riverfront with its 2025 Main Street Extension Plan. The extension will cover 0.7 miles, connecting the current streetcar line from 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard to Berkley Riverfront Park.

“We continue to work to heal the wounds caused by pathways that dissected neighborhoods,” said Beatty, addressing Kansas City’s history of communities split by highway construction in the 20th century.

The extension also will include 16 new stops, with signature nodes at the UMKC campus and the Plaza Transit Center.

Click here to see where the KC Streetcar is headed next.

Renaissance of the West Bottoms

New York-based developer SomeraRoad shared plans at the Downtown Council luncheon to spend more than $500 million to redevelop more than 20 acres in the historic West Bottoms neighborhood.

Click here to learn more about the West Bottoms projects from SomeraRoad.

SomeraRoad – West Bottoms from SomeraRoad Inc. on Vimeo.

The company is gearing up to build 1,200 apartments in a roughly six-block area north of 12th Street between Hickory and Santa Fe by spring of 2026.

“The West Bottoms is a really special place,” said Ian Ross, founder of SomeraRoad. “We quite literally stumbled on this neighborhood five years ago, and were absolutely amazed by what we saw in terms of the history and authenticity.”

SomeraRoad was the developer behind the massive renovation of the lightwell building in downtown Kansas City.

The company’s plan also includes 168,000 square feet of offices, 100,000 square feet of retail space, 50 boutique hotel rooms and other gathering spaces in the West Bottoms, tying into the theme of new developments within walking distance.

“This project will make meaningful change in advance of Kansas City’s time in the international spotlight, the 2026 World Cup,” said Ross. “Our goal is to create the best walkable, dynamic, authentic neighborhood that Kansas City has to offer.”

Startland News editor Tommy Felts contributed to this report.

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