Farewell old Barney Allis Plaza. Photos show final demolition making way for updated park
By Emily Curiel
The demolition of Barney Allis Plaza is seen on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Kansas City.
Emily Curiel
ecuriel@kcstar.com
Other than a big hole in the ground, all reminders of the current Barney Allis Plaza are close to being hauled away in bits inside big trucks loaded with demolition debris.
The plaza, located at 13th and Wyandotte streets in downtown Kansas City, is in the last phases of demolition. The park space constructed in the 1950s was built above street level which made it hard for anyone driving by to see the expansive concrete deck dotted with green spaces, park benches and tennis courts.
An outdated design and decay of the parking garage beneath the block-sized plaza contributed for the need to rebuild. The demolition process has exposed the multi-level parking garage usually hidden underneath the structure.
Demolition of the current structure is all part of a $119.8 million makeover of the space named after Barney Allis, the hotelier who made the nearby Muehlebach Hotel the place to stay in Kansas City during the mid-20th century. Plans call for the new plaza space to be competed in time for activities surrounding the FIFA World Cup matches coming to Kansas City in 2026.
Barney Allis Plaza located near 13th and Wyandotte streets is seen on Tuesday, August. 20, 2024 in Kansas City. After years of debate over the unsafe parking structure beneath the plaza, the plaza is being revitalized with a $119.8 million project. The city hopes to the project is completed in time for the FIFA World Cup matches in the summer of 2026. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
The original plaza was built in the 1950s then redesigned and rededicated in 1985. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The multi-level parking garage that was under the plaza could be seen as crews worked to demolish Barney Allis Plaza. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Once cleared of debris, construction will begin on the new underground parking garage and top deck plaza. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The giant hole left by the demolition is bounded by Central Street to the west, Wyandotte Street to the east, 12th Street to the north and 13th Stret to the south. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A sign displaying the renderings of Barney Allis Plaza redevelopment stands along West 13th Street on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Barney Allis Plaza is getting a makeover, set to be ready by the time Kansas City hosts FIFA World Cup matches in 2026. This artist’s rendering shows space for food and drink vendors and a lot more grass and trees than what the underused plaza has now. Courtesy ParsonKC
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