Big Changes Loom at Berkley Riverfront in Kansas City
Kansas City is buzzing with news as plans for a new parking garage near the CPKC Stadium have hit a bit of a snag. The Kansas City Current, our local soccer team, has sent shockwaves through the project by announcing their staunch opposition to the proposed $92 million parking structure. This development comes just as the team is gearing up for some exciting changes of its own.
What’s the Garage All About?
The parking garage was conceived by the Parking Company of America as part of an effort led by the Port Authority of Kansas City to provide adequate parking options for fans. The proposal included plans for a whopping 1,491-space garage right across from the stadium. While this may sound good on the surface, the Current has raised concerns, citing that this structure could bring “tremendous uncertainty” to their plans for further development at the riverfront.
Why the Opposition?
In a recent letter, Current President Raven Jemison explained their worries about moving forward with the garage could obstruct potential future expansions of the stadium, which are already in the works. The team has exciting plans to increase the stadium’s capacity—potentially adding thousands more seats—due to its soaring success in its inaugural season. This is particularly relevant as they eye the big stage during the 2026 World Cup.
From her perspective, Jemison pointed out that building the garage now, without truly understanding the future parking needs, might jeopardize those expansion plans. “Parcel 9 is the only site within Berkley that can support a transient garage at scale,” Jemison indicated in her letter, conveying her concerns about the future accessibility of stadium events.
The Current’s Stonewalling Strategy
Earlier in the summer, the Current had privately urged the Port Authority not to move forward with the garage, fearing it would impede their grand plans for expansion. The result? A solid rejection of the proposal by Port KC officials just last month after a lengthy four-month negotiation.
For many, the plans for the garage appeared to be riddled with uncertainties. City leaders expressed hesitation towards the developer’s desired incentive package, revealing that the parking needs of the stadium were not as straightforward as initially thought. With ongoing construction for a riverfront streetcar extension and other infrastructural improvements in the mix, the timing for the garage seemed less than ideal.
A New Agreement is Born
But wait, there’s more! Following the collapse of the parking garage discussions, a new approach has emerged. Port KC officials have now agreed to sell Parcel 9 to the Current at market value. This will allow the team to utilize the approximately 5-acre lot for surface parking for the time being while keeping options open for potential future developments.
Both parties have now hit the reset button, shifting their focus onto collaborative projects that will benefit the entire community. Port KC CEO Jon Stephens was adamant about the need for action. “We are going to make the riverfront develop on a timeframe that is, I think, aggressive and beneficial to the community,” he expressed confidently.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Kansas City stands on the brink of transformation, the Current plans to embark on constructing the first phase of their $200 million mixed-use development district by the end of this year. With the addition of Parcel 9, their expected total investment might potentially skyrocket to a staggering $1 billion over time!
There’s no doubt that the eyes of the community are on the Kansas City Current as exciting changes unfold at Berkley Riverfront. With ambitious plans in place and community support, it appears that Kansas City’s riverfront is set for an energetic makeover.
