These 10 Kansas City developments will change downtown with transit, housing and culture
The landscape along the KC Streetcar corridor is changing, with major projects bringing new energy to the city center and beyond. The long-awaited Main Street streetcar extension is nearly complete, promising a smoother drive and a direct line to the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Nearby, Rock Island Bridge is being transformed into an entertainment destination above the Kansas River, though its opening has been postponed to 2025.
Development doesn’t stop there: A new wave of colonnade-inspired apartments is planned near the tracks, offering more affordable and workforce housing. In Midtown, the city is also investing in safety and vibrancy, with yellow curb extensions added for pedestrian safety and plans underway to relight the iconic KCTV Tower.
NO. 1: WHEN WILL KC STREETCAR CONSTRUCTION BE DONE ON MAIN STREET? UPDATED TIMELINE, DETAILS
The midtown thoroughfare has been an obstacle course of orange cones and lane closures for years. That’s finally about to change. | Published June 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington
NO. 2: WHAT ARE NEW YELLOW BUMPS ALONG KANSAS CITY ROADS? THEY’RE IMPEDING TRAFFIC ON PURPOSE
They might be annoying when you drive, but you just might be grateful for them if you’re walking. | Published June 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash
NO. 3: ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE DESTINATION CONNECTING KCK TO THE WEST BOTTOMS DERAILED UNTIL 2025
The locomotive bridge, built in 1905 and decommissioned during the 1970s, is being rehabbed as an entertainment destination. | Published July 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bill Lukitsch
NO. 4: A CROSSROADS BUILDING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REDEVELOPED. NOW, IT WILL BE DEMOLISHED
The city issued permits to demolish 1824/1832 McGee Street, part of a historic row of buildings with ties to the automotive industry. | Published December 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins
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
NO. 6: KANSAS CITY’S DOWNTOWN MOVES FORWARD. BUT WHAT DOES OUR FUTURE REALLY HOLD? | OPINION
Will the dream end as grant money dries up, people remain unhoused, unemployment numbers increase and budgets explode in tariff wars? | Opinion | Published April 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Connye Griffin
NO. 7: KC STREETCAR EXTENSION WILL OPEN THIS FALL — BUT MAIN STREET WILL BE SMOOTH SOONER
No more dodging cones and traversing metal plates. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash
NO. 8: A MOCKTAIL BAR IN POWER & LIGHT? NEW CONCEPT COMING TO THE KC DISTRICT
A new concept with two types of cuisine will serve as a welcoming space to non-drinkers in a bar-heavy area. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson
NO. 9: KANSAS CITY’S 1,042-FOOT RED TOWER COULD GLOW FROM MIDTOWN ONCE AGAIN
A plan to re-light the iconic broadcast tower on 31st Street took a big step forward Tuesday. | Published May 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Higgins
NO. 10: 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.