Catalytic Project Construction in Downtown KC: Barney Allis Plaza Update
By Ann Holliday, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Downtown Council of Kansas City
Have you been to Downtown Kansas City lately? It’s hopping with activity! Our cultural destinations are mid-season, presenting world-class performances by the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera KC at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Folly Theater is hosting its Jazz Series, and theatrical events and touring Broadway shows are taking place at the Music Hall.
If you have attended one of these performances, you may have noticed a large construction site in the area – Barney Allis Plaza, located adjacent to the performance venues, is well under construction with completion expected by the end of 2026. Crews are currently building the 580-space parking garage that will be topped with a 5-acre plaza and green space that will be activated with concerts, festivals, and recreational activities to anchor a vibrant convention and cultural district.
The Downtown Council (DTC) is thrilled to see the forward momentum of this project. The organization advocated for the renovation of the facility by sponsoring a ULI Technical Assistance Panel in 2018 with the ULI-KC District Council. This planning led the groundwork for renovation concepts and programming elements.
Then in 2022, Barney Allis Plaza was identified as a catalytic project in the community-based Imagine Downtown KC 2030 Strategic Plan, which outlines a strategy for creating a diverse, equitable and vibrant Downtown, welcoming to all and the economic center of our region.
The Downtown Council is pleased to partner with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, the KC Convention and Entertainment Facilities, and its member businesses, cultural and neighborhood organizations to advocate for strategic projects as outlined in our Imagine Downtown KC Strategic Plan.
Resources:
2018 Barney Allis Plaza Technical Assistance Panel Report and presentation.
