The West Bottoms transformation is underway. See what’s opening this year, next
As work to transform Kansas City’s West Bottoms continues, several pieces of the $500 million-plus redevelopment project will be done by the end of the year.
The city has worked to upgrade utility infrastructure below the ground, while streetscape improvements above the ground around 11th Street and Santa Fe Street are becoming visible right now, offering a preview of what will be friendlier roads and sidewalks for residents and visitors in what was once an industrial hub.
And work on a new public gathering space, known as The Depot, is expected to be finished by the end of the year, the project’s developer told The Star, and will feature a food and drink stand.
Meanwhile, construction has begun on the Moline Plow building, 1015 Mulberry St., to rehab the structure into 121 apartments with ground-floor retail. Work on the Moline is also expected to be finished by the end of the year.
The Depot and the Moline are two pieces of an ambitious project, led by developer SomeraRoad, to rehab historic buildings with new apartments while improving public spaces and bringing in new businesses.
More work will follow, including a new construction building with retail and nearly 300 new apartments on the site of the former Weld Wheel building, 933 Mulberry St.; the conversion of the Perfection Stove Building, 1200 Union Ave., into offices; and the rehab of the Avery Building, 1100 Santa Fe St., into a boutique hotel.
Construction on all three could begin late this year or early in 2027.
“Things are coming together quickly,” said Grant Hromas, vice president of development with SomeraRoad. “Seeing it everyday, we’re pushing to just make as much progress as possible.”
The developers are working hard to make something happen in a neighborhood that hasn’t seen this level of investment in nearly a century, he said.
SomeraRoad has also announced a project with SpraySeeMO, an arts organization, to bring seven new murals to the West Bottoms, according to a news release.
The murals will be painted live by a mix of local and visiting artists on June 5 and 6 alongside other events in the West Bottoms, joining efforts to add murals around the city ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The public is invited to watch.
Visiting artists will include JEKS, Caratoes and Mr. B Baby, while Kansas City-based artists will include Femme9, Phybr, Rif Raf Giraffe and CHUE.
“Kansas City has a deep and authentic public art culture, and we’re excited to continue building on that momentum in a way that is accessible, immersive and community-driven,” Ami Ayars of SpraySeeMO said in a statement. “This initiative is about celebrating creativity at every level by bringing internationally recognized artists together with incredible local talent to create something that both residents and visitors can experience.”
