Minimal parking at the new KC Current stadium is no mistake — it was part of the plan
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KC Current’s new stadium
Here’s what to know about CPKC Stadium, the first U.S. stadium built for a women’s pro team. It’s been touted as a ground-breaking project in its design, features, funding and more.
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KC Current’s 9,500 season ticket holders were stunned to learn this week that parking will be in short supply and pricey if they want to park near the team’s new stadium when it opens next month in Berkley Riverfront Park.
They might also be surprised to learn that limited parking has always been part of the plan for what’s been billed as the first stadium in the world built specifically for a women’s professional sports team.
According to city records, the development plan for the 11,500-seat CPKC Stadium required the KC Current organization to provide only 2,000 spaces.
That was with the understanding that more public parking would be built to the west of Berkley Riverfront Park eventually. But even those garages and existing free public parking in that area will never be enough that everyone attending a match will be able to park close by.
Rather, the presumption from the beginning was that many fans would arrive by public bus, shuttle buses from remote parking locations, ride share services, bicycles and on foot, according to a 64-page traffic study dated last May.
An extension of the city’s streetcar line to just west of the stadium was part of the plan, but due to delays that service could be as much as two years away. The closest stop now is in the River Market at 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard, about a mile away.
“It’s really a gorgeous walk from the Town of Kansas Bridge to the stadium,” said Meredith Hoenes, spokesperson for the Kansas City Port Authority, also known as Port KC, which is in charge of riverfront development.
But there is no sidewalk on the Grand viaduct from the River Market to the riverfront. A pedestrian bridge is planned but won’t be done his year.
Season ticket holders who’d rather not hoof it were informed Wednesday that they will have the option to buy season-long parking passes equal to $50 per match, plus taxes and fees. That lump sum is more than some fans paid for their season tickets, and they are letting the team know on social media that they are not happy about it.
“Cool. Pricing folks out with $50 parking,” one said in response to one of the team’s posts on X, formerly Twitter.
Others welcomed the idea of having a stadium in an urban setting that wasn’t surrounded by a sea of concrete.
While a surprise to many, the limited parking was never a secret, although neither the team, the city, nor the local news media called much attention to it.
The Star found a city planning commission report from last July that said the stadium was constructed with the understanding that temporary, gravel parking lots would be allowed in the KC Current’s first two seasons at CPKC Park.
“The controlling master plan for the Berkley Riverfront proposes future parking garages and mixed-use structures to be constructed,” the report said.
The city said the stadium would have roughly 100 accessible spots to the west of the stadium. Planning documents from last year show those spaces were the same ones that the team staff and players were expected to use on other days of the week.
“Staff has been told by the applicant (the team) and Port KC that temporary parking will be provided for the first two seasons (beginning in 2024) until permanent parking structures are built,” the document said.
But Hoenes noted that those parking structures will not be enough for every vehicle on game days.
In a statement on Wednesday, the team said it will be announcing other suggested travel options for fans attending its 13 home games in the coming weeks.
“We are thrilled to offer other solutions that align with our focus on multi-modal and sustainability for off-site parking and transportation, including park-and-ride options, ride-share, streetcar, bus, bike and shuttle services,” the team said.
“Our Season Ticket Members now know that they have the option to purchase season long parking passes. There will also be options for those who need ADA accessible parking, both on-site and off-site. More information about our off-site parking and transportation opportunities will be available in the coming weeks.”
Daniel Sperry, who covers soccer for The Star, also contributed to this article.
This story was originally published February 22, 2024 at 3:19 PM.
