Downtown Kansas City Development Project Canceled

Categories: Breaking NewsKansas City, KSNewsPolitics

An empty construction site in downtown Kansas City.

News Summary

The highly anticipated development project in Kansas City, KS, led by Willie Lanier Jr., has been officially canceled. Initially approved in 2020, the project aimed to replace the Reardon Convention Center with a new multipurpose community space and residential units. Ongoing disagreements and lack of progress have left the community uncertain about future plans, including discussions for the Reardon Center’s renovation. Mayor Garner is exploring alternatives amidst significant challenges for downtown businesses and halted developments.

Downtown Kansas City Development Project Hits a Sudden Halt

In a surprising turn of events, the much-anticipated development project in Kansas City, KS, spearheaded by Willie Lanier Jr., has officially been canceled. Initially approved back in 2020, this ambitious endeavor was meant to replace the shuttered Reardon Convention Center with a shiny new 7,500-square-foot multipurpose community meeting space. Unfortunately, the project has faced numerous bumps in the road, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty.

What Was Planned?

The original plan for the development included a multi-floor building boasting between 85 and 100 apartment units and around 7,000 square feet of retail space at street level. The project was intended to breathe new life into the downtown area, which has been grappling with economic challenges and a lack of large venues since the Reardon Center’s closure in 2021. Despite the vision, ongoing disagreements between KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner and the Unified Government Board of Commissioners sidelined the project.

Multiple Extensions but No Progress

When Mayor Garner stepped into office, the project had already been granted several extensions, with the last one coming in April 2024. The latest extension mandated that work must start by the end of February 2025. However, despite Lanier’s request for yet another extension, the commissioners insisted that the last extension would be the final straw.

Future Plans for the Reardon Center

With the development project now scrapped, Mayor Garner is looking ahead. He is planning an important meeting to discuss potential next steps related to the Reardon Center. Interestingly, Garner has expressed a preference for renovating the existing center rather than demolishing it. However, he hasn’t garnered much support from fellow commissioners on this idea.

Funding for Improvements

The city currently has approximately $6 million available from revenue generated by a sales tax specifically for a Downtown Community Improvement District. This money could be earmarked for improvements to the Reardon Center, giving hope that some form of revitalization is still possible.

Impact on Nearby Businesses

On top of that, the Hilton Garden Inn next to the Reardon Center has recently been sold, and no new plans have been put forward yet. The decline in convention traffic, primarily due to the Reardon Center’s closure, has made it difficult for businesses in the area to thrive.

Compounding Challenges for Downtown

The downtown area is further facing challenges with the Minnesota Avenue Triangle Project. This initiative, involving a two-phase $145 million plan featuring a 12-story tower and 244 apartment units, has also fallen through as developers pulled out, citing a funding gap. Additionally, the MERC, a local cooperative grocery store that opened its doors in July 2020, is also pondering closure due to rising concerns over a swelling homeless population and shoplifting that have significantly affected its operations.

An Uncertain Future

Kansas City’s downtown is currently dealing with an array of challenges stemming from halted developments, economic uncertainties, and rising crime rates. As Mayor Garner, who has chosen not to seek reelection, emphasizes, the ultimate decisions regarding the convention center should lie with the commissioners. But as things stand, the community is left wondering about the future as plans for revitalization seem to fade away.