South Loop Park is back on the fast track to completion, seeking builders
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Visionary Urban Park is the name of the green space that will be located in four sections of a concrete cap that covers I-670 in downtown Kansas City.
The City released a request for a proposal encouraging experienced construction management/general construction firms to put for the bidding process. City Manager Brian Platt discussed that potential timeline.
“The bid process is going to take us a few weeks to a couple of months. We’ll probably break ground sometime in the mid to late winter,” Platt said. “The goal and the vision is to have the entire deck structure completed in advance of the World Cup.”
Platt thinks it may look rather simple compared to the finished project. In the Spring of 2026, he envisions grass on the deck and it may include soccer pitches, but nothing has been decided yet.
The difference in sound may be the most notable thing besides the extra green in the space between Wyandotte Street that buts itself up to Bartle Hall and runs in four sections towards Oak and Locust Street by the T-Mobile Center and The former Kansas City Star Printing Press building.
If it is accomplished it could be an incredible backdrop in the heart of downtown, and even Mayor Quinton Lucas likes to imagine how special it will truly be.
“At the Olympics, you saw people who were playing soccer and doing events – breakdancing in front of the Eiffel Tower. Our goal is that during the World Cup in Kansas City,” Lucas said. “I couldn’t be any more thrilled that we’re able to get this work started pretty soon.”
The project has a funding goal of $217 million, which it is a little over halfway towards. Securing the rest of that money will ensure the vision behind Visionary Urban Park is ultimately accomplished.
“There will be playground space for little kids, there will be a stage and entertainment space to have events, space for food trucks,” Platt said. “Lots and lots of ive space with beautiful landscaping, a ton of trees which is really important to us.”
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