Kansas City Prepares for ‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ Urban Park Build Over I-670

Kansas City plans to construct an urban park above a portion of the I-670 interstate, reimagining an often-forgotten tract of urban landscape into a public green space. The construction is projected to commence sometime later this year. On Thursday, Kansas City lawmakers sanctioned $57 million in state and federal funding towards the anticipated South Loop project, accelerating the transformation of four blocks of the downtown area. The raised park over I-670 seeks not only physical transformation but also aims to mitigate noise and air pollution and counter the urban heat island effect bred by paved surfaces.

Fundraising Success

According to the funding progress of the project, an approximate $129.2 million has been accumulated. This is only slightly short of the $135 million target to kick off constructions. The fund diversely sources from Missouri’s 2025 fiscal year budget for an expected $30 million (pending approval from Missouri’s Governor), $10 million from the city’s budget, and $22 million from private donors, including H&R Block, JE Dunn Construction, Americo Life Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, and Evergy. The project also secured a state tax credit equivalent to $10 million.

Expansion Hopes

The total estimated cost of the project, however, extends to $217.2 million as Mayor Quinton Lucas articulates his hope for incorporating more federal funding and private this year. Reserving a significant role for private donors he said, “Private donors have been an important part of this”. When complete, the South Loop Project will deliver a long absent public leisure and green space spanning across 5.5 acres above I-670, from Wyandotte Street to Grand Boulevard.

Connecting Neighborhoods

The South Loop project is projected to connect Kansas City’s business district with Crossroads, providing a remedy to the unwanted suburban detachment caused by highway construction. The city is also progressing with plans to restore the severed bonds of the predominantly Black and Latino communities fragmented by the development of Highway 71 and I-35, respectively. Justin Short, the policy chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and a downtown resident himself, shared his excitement for the new feature project saying, “It’s one of those once-in-a lifetime, generational projects”.

Forward Steps

Despite unexpected obstacles, like the lack of funding from the Kansas City Royals for their proposed baseball stadium in the east Crossroads that incorporated the South Loop, the city is determined to move forward with its initial plan. Lucas addressed these complications saying “How do you fund it? How do you make sure you get the approvals from, particularly [the Missouri Department of Transportation] and our federal partners, to make sure it can get built?”.

Design and Implementation

One of the proposed designs for South Loop reveals an expansive green space that will be divided into stages; westernmost blocks will be a serene haven of vegetation, the central area will feature playgrounds and ‘adventure walks’ for families, while the easternmost part is envisioned as a host for public events. The project also proposes a narrowing of Truman Road for improved pedestrian and bicycle access. The city hopes to complete the construction by 2030.

Anticipated Impact

Lucas reassures citizens that despite constructions, streetcar operations will continue along with usual road activities. With the South Loop project, in less than a decade, Kansas City residents will potentially be enjoying their leisure time on a sprawling field rather than paralleling seven lanes of chaotic traffic.