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These transformative developments will shape Kansas City’s urban landscape in 2025

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas City is seeing major changes as new developments change the urban landscape this year. The city’s riverfront, once notorious for being a dumping ground, is being revived by projects like the planned SpringHill Suites hotel and new residential complexes around CPKC Stadium. Affordable housing is gaining ground with projects such as the Mabion on Troost and Mohawk at 15 in the Crossroads, both targeting residents at or below 60% median income.

In Midtown, new colonnade-style apartments aim to serve local workers and families near the upcoming streetcar extension. The 18th & Vine Jazz District expects a parking facelift to support future cultural growth, while City Hall debates incentives for big towers like the Four Light apartments, reflecting a cautious shift in development policies.

The Union Berkley Riverfront apartments are on the right. To the left are the new sand volleyball courts. That torn earth between them is where the streetcar tracks will go. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 1: KC’S RIVERFRONT USED TO BE A DUMPING GROUND. NOW, IT’S GETTING A MASSIVE MAKEOVER

Some 72 years after Kansas City bought riverfront land, the area is in the midst of a full-on renaissance. How did we get here? | Published May 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Hendricks

Raymond Mabion, Ray Mabion II, and Mayor Quinton Lucas pose for a photograph at the groundbreaking for a new multi-unit affordable housing development in Kansas City, MO on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. The development is named after Mabion in honor of the work he’s done in the community.

NO. 2: KC BREAKS GROUND ON NEW AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS OFF TROOST NAMED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PASTOR

The Mabion will offer 57 units of affordable housing with one to three bedrooms, including 11 units set aside for families struggling with homelessness. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

The future Mohawk at 15 in the Crossroads will feature 189 units, including some designated affordable, retail space, a rooftop deck and nearby access to transit.

NO. 3: THIS CROSSROADS PARKING LOT WILL SOON HOUSE APARTMENTS WITH AFFORDABLE UNITS, ROOFTOP DECK

Mohawk at 15 will have 189 apartments and feature a rooftop deck, retail and access to transit. | Published November 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

Yum, a bakery at 104 E. 43rd St. in Kansas City, will close its doors in early 2025.

NO. 4: KANSAS CITY BAKERY CLOSING AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE: ‘TOO MANY CONTINUOUS SETBACKS’

The business, located near the streetcar expansion route, said road closures were a factor in its closure. | Published December 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Three Light Luxury Apartments is open and the first tenants are moving into the 25-story residential building in downtown Kansas City. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 5: KC BEGRUDGINGLY APPROVES FOUR LIGHT HIGH RISE PLAN — INCLUDING $17 MILLION PARKING GARAGE

Some Kansas City Council members said they had no choice but to green light the plan because of agreements past officials made with Cordish on incentives. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

A rendering of the planned new parking garage in the 18th & Vine Jazz District. The garage is part of a planned expansion of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

NO. 6: KC JAZZ DISTRICT PREPARES FOR MORE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF MUSEUM EXPANSION WITH ADDED PARKING

The 470-space garage is the first phase of the coming developments from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

An early conceptual rendering of a planned new SpringHill Suites Hotel near Bally’s Casino in Kansas City.

NO. 7: A NEW HOTEL COULD BE NEXT ADDITION TO KANSAS CITY’S FAST-GROWING RIVERFRONT

A SpringHill Suites is planned as the Berkley Riverfront area continues to transform. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

KC Streetcar Authority running tests on the new Main Street rail line on Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024. The new line still has tests remaining before opening up in October. (082124, Streetcar on Main) By Dominick Williams

NO. 8: SLEW OF 6-UNIT APARTMENT BUILDINGS COMING TO MIDTOWN KC NEAR STREETCAR TRACKS

The apartments will be colonnade-inspired and be geared toward local workers as a new nonprofit looks to develop more affordable housing in Kansas City. | Published May 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.