City of Kansas City, MO

12/19/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/19/2025 17:21

December 19 Update - Revive the Vine

For immediate release: Friday, December 19, 2025

The Historic 18th & Vine District is entering a new era, with multiple infrastructure projects underway and new business opportunities being offered. This week's Revive the Vine newsletter includes updates on construction, pedestrian access, holiday and weather impacts, and upcoming events.

Updates on Construction and Progress

Construction continues across several Revive the Vine projects:

These projects require various street closures, but all businesses remain open. Pedestrian walkways are maintained wherever possible, and detour signs are in place, including a digital message board near 22nd & The Paseo.

Pedestrian Mall Construction Progress: 18th St (Paseo - Woodland) Closed to Traffic, Update on Parking

Active construction continues on 18th Street between The Paseo and Woodland Avenue. Sidewalks on the north side of 18th Street between Paseo and Woodland are still open during this time, but not connected at the intersections yet. Construction impacts include:

  • 18th Street is closed to traffic from The Paseo to Woodland Avenue and is expected to remain closed throughout the duration of the project.
  • Limited on-street parking on Highland Avenue between 17th Terrace and 18th Street.
  • No on-street parking on Highland Avenue from 18th Street to 19th Street.
Because there is no on-street parking on 18th Street between The Paseo and Woodland Avenue, other parking configurations are being implemented:
  • Parking is permitted on 18th Street to the east of Woodland Avenue, except for the signed bus stop area.
  • A temporary parking plan along the Paseo has been approved. Crews will add striping to mark parking spaces when weather allows.
At this point in the season, many aspects of construction work are weather dependent, particularly concrete related work:
  • Crews ran into delays due to recent weather conditions, but but continue to make progress as temperatures allow
  • Concrete work is now complete on 18th Street between The Paseo and Vine Street. Final features will be implemented over the coming weeks.
  • Crews are nearing completion on concrete work between Vine Street and Highland Avenue, and continue to add various features.
  • Excavation work is ongoing between Highland Avenue and Woodland Avenue, but restoration work has started in some sections, including preparations for sidewalk pouring on the south side of the street.

Sidewalk Progress; Update on Access to Businesses on 18th St Between Vine and Woodland

Sidewalk work in front of the GEM Theater has started, but completion has run into delays due to temperatures. Crews have applied colored concrete, but some gaps still need to be filled in on the south side of the street before the sidewalk in front of the GEM entrance can be reopened. There are entry points for every business, but there are some detours due to active construction. Pedestrians should follow all of the outlets along the fencing and stay out of active construction zones:

  • Sidewalks in front of the American Jazz Museum and the NLBM are now walkable again, but crews had to lay down mats on the new concrete so they don't get exposed to below freezing temperatures.
  • There is ADA access to the American Jazz Museum and the NLBM through the ramped path along the back-side of the businesses (on E 17th Terrace). This entrance to the American Jazz Museum connects to The Blue Room and NLBM through the atrium.
  • The entrance to the Blue Room on the northeast corner of 18th Street and Vine Street is still accessible.
  • New crosswalks were poured at the intersection of 18th Street and Vine Street to connect the north sidewalk to the south sidewalk. The walkway on the east side of that intersection (connecting the Blue Room to the Historic Lincoln Building) is now open and walkable. This pathway extends pedestrian access down Vine Street from 18th Street to 19th Street. Further concrete pouring in that general area will continue over the next several weeks as the restoration on Vine Street continues.
  • Pedestrians are advised to approach the GEM Theater by using the new Vine Street crosswalk to get from the north sidewalk to the south sidewalk, then walk eastbound towards the alley entrance (next to the Historic Lincoln Building).
  • Pedestrians trying to get to businesses on the north side of 18th Street between Highland Avenue and Woodland Avenue are advised to follow the pedestrian outlet on the east side of Highland Avenue from E 17th Terrace to 18th Street.

Water Line Updates Across Construction

Water line work is required in several areas. Impacts include:

  • Water main replacement work on Highland Avenue will start next week, with crews working on Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23 and then taking a break for the holiday.
  • With work underway on Highland Avenue, parking is not permitted on the north side of the road between E 17th Terrace and 18th Street.
  • Crews have finished work on the final main tie-in at the intersection of Vine Street and 19th Street.
  • Lanes are still closed on Vine Street between 18th Street and 19th Street (lanes will remain closed to traffic for the next several months, as work in that area is shifting towards roadway restoration and work related to the Parker).

Boone Theater: Highland Closure Details

Renovations on the Boone Theater continue, with additional work taking place in the area surrounding the Boone Theater (including a new water line, green space renovation and more):

  • Highland Avenue from 18th Street to the end of the Boone Theater is closed to traffic.
  • Parking is not permitted on Highland Avenue between 18th Street and 19th Street.
  • South of the Boone Theater, roadways have been restriped to allow for two-way traffic.
  • This configuration will be in place for the next several months

The Parker: Construction Starting on Vine Street (18th St to 19th St), Upcoming Pedestrian Detour

Work related to The Parker is underway on Vine Street, between 18th Street and 19th Street:

  • Fencing is now set up around the construction site, which extends into the Paseo from 19th Street to 18th Street.
  • Large cones will be put in place to separate traffic from pedestrians.
  • Under the proposed traffic control plan, pedestrians will detour at 19th Street and the Paseo, crossing from the east-side sidewalk to the west-side sidewalk (still pending final approval).
  • The old streetlights within the work zone are expected to come down next week
  • For the first few months of this project, there will be minimal public impact, as crews are doing work that sets the stage for major construction later.

18th and Lydia Parking Garage: Strong Progression

Constructors on the 18th and Lydia Parking Garage project continue to make good progress, with crews down to their last two concrete pours:

  • No public-facing impacts at this time.
  • The second floor of the building has been erected
  • Large equipment, like the crane, will be coming down around January 15, 2026, which is expected to result in heavy truck flow from the work zone on to the Paseo through January 16, 2026
  • There will be one lane closed on Lydia Avenue from January 19, 2026 through January 30, 2026 due to storm water detention work

Timeline: 18th St Pedestrian Mall & 18th/Lydia Garage Target June 2026; Boone & Parker Timelines to be Announced

Unfavorable weather conditions have created construction challenges over the past several weeks. Despite multiple delays and disruptions to current phases of construction on the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall project, constructors are still working towards hitting their goal of completing construction by the beginning of June 2026. The image below can be referenced for the timeline of the different phases on the project.

The 18th and Lydia Parking Garage project is currently on track to also be completed by June 2026. As for the Boone Theater and The Parker, both private owners have indicated that they intend to release information about completion at a later date.

Holiday Impacts

Trash & Recycling services will be postponed by one day on Thursday, December 25 in observance of Christmas:

  • Thursday's pickup will take place Friday (December 26)
  • Friday's pickup will take place Saturday (December 27)
  • All City buildings will be closed on Thursday, December 25

Upcoming Events

Umoja Holiday Celebration

Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Umoja is a FREE community event and a collaborative effort to provide resources and promote healthy holiday engagement events that celebrate the themes of Kwanzaa and traditional American holiday customs within the urban core. The event will provide Holiday Adoption Services for more than 150 families across the Greater Kansas City area, with the official gift distribution beginning at 1:00 PM.

44th Annual City-Wide Kwana Celebration

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 starting at 6:00 PM

Celebrate Day Six of the 44th Annual City-Wide Kwanzaa Celebration, hosted by the Kansas City chapter of the National Black United Front.

  • GEM Theater (1615 E 18th Street)
  • African Market opens at 6:00 PM
  • Procession & Program starts at 7:00 PM
  • FREE event

Ailey Trio School Performances

Thursday, January 15th, 2026 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM

A presentation and performance by three dancers from the internationally acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

  • GEM Theater (1615 E 18th Street)
  • A blend of a lecture and informal performance
  • FREE event

Impact of Closures & Permitting

Events traditionally held on 18th Street will be impacted by active construction zones. For the safety of event participants, event organizers must relocate festivities to The Paseo between Truman Road and 18th Street or consider an alternate location (outside of 18th Street) within the Jazz District during this period. Kansas City is committed to supporting these events and looks forward to welcoming them back to an improved and revitalized 18th Street in the future. For questions about event permitting or location changes, please with the Kansas City Permit Division.

Business Resources

There are resources for both active and potential businesses owners provided through Kansas City BizCare. The program acts as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, providing guidance on navigating the city's licensing, permitting, and approval processes, as well as connecting them with relevant resources and support organizations. Kansas City BizCare also helps businesses access capital programs and promotes economic mobility.

Newsletter Sign Up

Now anyone can sign up to receive newsletter updates through a new feature on the Revive the Vine webpage. Anybody who is interested in being on the newsletter mailing list can enter their email address in the section that says "sign up for email updates" in the top right corner of the page. If you know of anyone who doesn't receive our weekly newsletter, you're encouraged to refer them to the website.

MORE ABOUT REVIVE THE VINE

Revive the Vine is Kansas City's $400+ million reinvestment initiative in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The program combines major public infrastructure projects with private development to restore cultural landmarks, expand housing, improve walkability, and support neighborhood vitality.

As part of the initiative, the City is also working to activate vacant storefronts by bringing in small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs-ensuring 18th & Vine remains a vibrant cultural and commercial destination for generations to come.

Kansas City Developments:

Project #1 - 18th St Pedestrian Mall

  • Pedestrian plaza on 18th Street between The Paseo and Woodland Avenue
  • Curbs, gutters, and parking in project area will be removed to create a seamless corridor for pedestrian activity
  • Medallions for the American Jazz Walk of Fame to be refurbished and reinstalled along 18th Street
  • Major construction is officially underway, with completion expected in June 2026
  • Total cost: $8 Million +
  • When the first phase of work is complete, there will be a ceremony to celebrate. Keep an eye on the City event calendar for more information.

Project #2 - 18th and Lydia Parking Garage

  • New city-owned parking garage located at 1819 Lydia Avenue.
  • The goal for the parking garage is to accommodate for 470 spots
  • Major construction started in June 2025, with completion expected by June 2026
  • Art installation open house to be held soon, details pending
  • Total cost: $20 Million

Project #3 - Paseo Streetscape improvements

  • Aesthetic improvements from E 17th Terrace to KC Terminal Railway
  • Modification of the 3 lane-configuration in either direction of the Paseo Boulevard to increase the width of the median by eliminating the inside lanes in both directions from E 17th Terrace to the bridge crossing the KC Terminal Railway
  • Major construction expected to start August 2026 and be complete by May 2027
  • Estimated total cost: $1 Million

Project #4 - Paseo Blvd. Shared Use Path

  • Off-street shared use path on the East side of Paseo, between from Admiral Boulevard to 18th Street
  • The "East Leg" of the Green Line Initiative
  • Construction is expected to start May 2026 and be complete by Nov. 2026
  • Total cost: $1.7 Million
  • A public engagement meeting for this project was held August 5, 2025.

Project #5 - Archive Plaza Project

  • Involves the installation of a fountain and statues at 18th and Paseo
  • Plaza area to span from 18th Street to Truman Road
  • Part of the overall plan for Paseo Streetscape Improvements
  • Design phase, construction start date pending
  • Total cost pending

Project #6 - I-70 Second Tier EIS/I-70 Paseo Blvd to I-435:

  • Includes the design and reconstruction of the I-70 corridor from The Paseo to Manchester
  • Full scope of project is dependent on the final amount of funding available to MoDOT
  • Project is already in progress, with a highway shutdown anticipated for June 2026
  • Work expected to continue through Spring 2028
  • Total cost pending

Project #7 - Blues Park Improvements

  • Involves constructing an outdoor roller skate rink and new restroom at Blues Park
  • As of Summer 2025, new bathrooms have been installed and utility coordination has been completed.
  • Construction on the roller skate rink is delayed, project went through redesign
  • Project bids opening in December 2025, with construction expected to start in Spring 2026
  • Estimated Total Cost: $1.7 Million

Project #8 - Washington-Wheatley Neighborhood improvements

  • Resurfacing and ADA improvements between 18th Street to 23rd Street between Prospect and Indiana (in Washington Wheatley Neighborhood)
  • Installing sidewalks and curbs around 19th and Agnes
  • Pre-design phase, construction start date pending
  • Total Cost: $500,000

Private Developments:

Project #9 - One Nine Vine Phase 2

Project #10 - The Parker

Project #11 - Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Hotel

  • Development of a new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum facility, including a multi-studio, 7 story hotel
  • New museum and hotel will be integrated and connected to the revamped Buck O'Neil Research Center (the old Paseo YMCA building)
  • Developer: Grayson Capital
  • Major construction is expected to start Fall of 2025.
  • Total Cost: $30 Million, seeking funding for completion

Project #12 - 18th and Lydia Housing

  • Multi-family housing on top of and around the city-owned garage at 1819 Lydia Avenue
  • Roughly 150 units with supporting amenity spaces and a small amount of commercial space facing 18th street on the ground level
  • Developers: Grayson Capital
  • Major construction expected to start after June 2026
  • Total cost pending

Project #13 - Boone Theater

  • Historic rehab of Boone Theater (1701 E. 18th Street) and construction of an outdoor event space
  • Developers: Vine Street Collaborative LLC
  • Construction already underway
  • Sewer line utility coordination on Highland Ave. between 18th St. and 19th St. is currently stalled.
  • Estimated Total Cost: $8.7 Million

Project #14 - Parade Park Neighborhood

  • Groundbreaking ceremony held October 24, 2025
  • Involves the redevelopment of an existing 510-unit housing cooperative
  • Project is already underway, with relocation efforts happening now
  • All phases are expected to be completed in 7-10 years
  • Total Cost: $300 Million +
City of Kansas City, MO published this content on December 19, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 19, 2025 at 23:21 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]