See new renderings of South Loop park to cap highway in downtown Kansas City

A high-profile project that’s been in the works for years is close to reality in downtown Kansas City, but some council members are taking a critical eye before construction starts this summer.

Officials presented the City Council with an update about the future Roy Blunt Luminary Park project, previously known as the South Loop Park, which will transform a downtown interstate section into a large new park.

The project would essentially turn Interstate 670 into a tunnel between Wyandotte Street and Grand Boulevard and then place a park on top. That would reconnect downtown with the Crossroads, midtown and beyond decades after highway construction sliced through the urban core.

The park will be named after former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, who helped snag federal funds for the $315 million project. The park project was first announced in 2022 and moved into final design in the fall. Utility relocation has begun already as design work is finishing up, and the City Council will vote to sign off on beginning construction, perhaps in July, at a later date.

Construction could take three years. The park will be owned by the city and managed by a nonprofit.

Officials showed new renderings during a discussion on Wednesday that show park elements like landscaped walking paths, a lawn that could be used for concerts, play structures for children and restaurant space.

According to information presented to the council, $224.7 million in funding has been secured or could be soon in a mix of federal, state, city and private dollars. That tally includes portions of financing that have not yet been finalized and would be tied to more private fundraising being nailed down.

Further funds could come from more private fundraising commitments, federal grants and Jackson County. The project’s projected costs have significantly increased by about $100 million since a 2023 estimate, but the current $315 million cost has considerations for inflation built in.

Council members express concerns, support

During the council discussion on Wednesday, some council members said that while Luminary Park is an attractive project, they have concerns about the project’s financing and costs to the city and asked about what the project could look like if full funding doesn’t come through, including if the federal government or the county doesn’t end up offering more money.

Some council members wanted more clarity about financing and the city’s future obligations. They also expressed worries about further strain on the city’s existing resources and amenities or that the park would not be accessible to city residents in neighborhoods away from downtown.

“A lot of my constituents who live in south Kansas City are not going to be able to take advantage of this park,” said Darrell Curls, council member for the Fifth District At-Large.

Curls continued: “When we put in that type of money and my district doesn’t have a sit-down restaurant, doesn’t have any places to go for entertainment, doesn’t have a lot of amenities that the other parts of the city has, is somewhat concerning to them, and I get beat up all the time.”

But other council members say the project will be an asset for the city and region as a whole that will drive economic development and attract visitors or even new residents to Kansas City.

Crispin Rea, council member for the Fourth District At-Large, said the park, while it will be in his district, will benefit the whole city, much like other amenities and projects like the 18th and Vine Jazz District or the Starlight Theater renovations benefit residents in his district, too.

“It is going to be something that enhances the economic engine of our city and our region and creates tax revenue and other spillover effects that we all get to benefit from and hopefully put into the general fund and go build more sidewalks and fill more potholes and go all do those things with,” Rea said.