Project Update 1/7/2026:

There are currently two active Kansas City construction projects impacting the Westside business corridor, one from the Public Works Department and one from the Water Department:

1. Water Department is currently replacing waterlines from Summit Street to 25^th Street.

• All service connections have been completed on Southwest Boulevard.
• Crews are working to complete a 12 inch water line along Summit Street. Once completed, they will move all work southwest of Boulevard Brewery.
• All parking stalls on the north side of Southwest Boulevard (the side by the restaurants) are clear and open.
• Traffic control is being coordinated with the Public Work Project, traffic has been shifted to the south side of Southwest Boulevard (the Royal Liquor side).

2. Public Works Department is actively working on the Southwest Boulevard Streetscape, which includes traffic calming and a shared use path.

• The section from Broadway Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue is substantially complete
  • Decorative stamped concrete is expected to be poured the week of January 5, 2026. Once this work is complete, it will be open for pedestrian and bike usage, as well as parking.
  • Landscaping and tree planting will take place in the Spring, when weather allows.
  • Public Works staff working with business owners to open up parking areas as soon as possible.
• A section of Pennsylvania Avenue to the north (by I-35 off-ramp) will remain closed at least through January 23, 2026. The installation of a large traffic island and the removal of old traffic signals will be taking place during this time.
• A triangular park segment in front of the Crossroads Westside apartment building is expected to be completed by January 16, 2026.
• Work on the segment of Southwest Boulevard that spans from Pennsylvania Avenue to the area under the I-35 bridge is expected to be completed by January 16, 2026.
• Demolition has started on Southwest Boulevard from Summit Street to 25th Street. Work will mainly take place on the south side of Southwest Boulevard (the Royal Liquor side)
• Once the work from Summit Street to 25th Street is complete, crews will start work on the final segment from Summit Street to the I-35 Bridge (on the La Bodega side).

• Lights expected to be installed under the I-35 bridge in mid-January.

Public Engagement Update:

The Project Manager for the Southwest Boulevard Streetscape Project will be speaking at the upcoming Westside Neighborhood Association meeting. He will be giving updates on the project, as well as leading a public discussion about plans for the Las Tarascas statue. This meeting will be held on January 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the main building for the Guadalupe Centers (1015 Avenida Cesar E Chavez).

Parking Update:

Parking under the I-35 Bridge is public parking, free of charge and open to all.  This parking area is operated solely by the City.  Any business installing signs claiming they have reserved parking needs to remove those signs.

Parking enforcement will commence in October 2025 for on-street parking. Parking is limited to 1-hour from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Business owners and staff members are encouraged to park in public parking lots under I-35 and reserve on-street parking for their customers.

Project Overview

Major improvements are coming to Southwest Boulevard, with over $43.6 Million of total investment.  This work will be done in two phases, with phase one spanning along Southwest Boulevard from 25th Street to Broadway Boulevard and phase two spanning along Southwest Boulevard from 31st Street to 25th Street. Work on phase one work started in January 2025 and consists of the following projects:

• Roadway repaving - $400,000 invested
• Sidewalk repairs - $25,000 invested
• Streetscape improvements with a shared use path - $2 Million invested
• New signals - $900,000 invested
• Water main replacement - $9.4 Million invested
• Flood storage - $30 Million invested
• New trash cans - $48,000 invested
• Various upgrades under the I-35 Overpass - $560,000 invested
• Community banners/Gateway statue - $265,000 invested

These action items were determined based on a Planning for Sustainable Places (PSP) study that analyzed the Southwest Boulevard corridor from 31st Street to Broadway Boulevard. The goal of implementing these action items is to enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life in Kansas City and the Westside neighborhood.

An open house event was held on May 27, 2025 to share details about these improvements. Click here to view the presentation from that public event.

Project Timeline

Phase one of work is currently underway. While various aspects have different construction start dates, most overall work for phase one is expected to be complete by Summer 2026, in time for the FIFA World Cup. There will be a break in work during the FIFA World Cup, and then phase two is expected to start. 

Phase One Details

Water main replacement:

Replacement of 10,600 linear feet of 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, 16-inch, and 30-inch break-prone or obsolete water mains with resilient high-strength ductile iron pipe (DIP). Project will improve distribution system reliability, increase hydraulic conveyance capacity, and support fire protection.

• Phase I
  • Started in January 2025
  • Summit to 25th Street
  • Completion imminent 

• Phase II
  •  Summer 2025 thru Spring 2027
  • 25th Street to 31st Street
  • Break in work during FIFA World Cup (April to July 2026)

• Install two underground weir storage facilities
• Located behind Royals mural at 25th Street
• Reduce flooding and sewer overflows
• Construction Summer 2026 to July 2027

Sidewalk Repairs and Repaving: 

• Sidewalk Repairs
  • New ADA ramps
  • Sidewalk repairs along north side of roadway
  • Work underway

• Repaving
  • Repaving of roadway from Broadway to 25th Street
  • Scheduled for October 2025
  • More repaving after all construction is completed

Streetscaping:

• Complete Streets (3 lane section with shared use path)
  • Adding green infrastructure
  • Adding shared use path
  • Adding Medians and bump-outs
  • Construction to start July 2025

• Traffic Signals
  • New signals at Summit and under bridge
  • Remove signals at Pennsylvania/close slip ramp
  • Construction to start July 2025

I-35 Overpass Safety and Security Improvements: 

• New lighting under bridge – 13 new lights, 27 upgraded lights
• Security Cameras
• Increased signage for public parking
• Bird Control – Reduce droppings
• Construction to start Summer 2025

New Trash Receptacles:

• 17 currently installed
• New improved design has larger capacity
• Completed in May 2025

Transportation Study

The Southwest Boulevard Transportation Study is a Planning for Sustainable Places project that utilized funds awarded by the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). This effort was a partnership between Kansas City and Wilson & Company, Engineers and Architects, who led a team of planners, engineers, and landscape architects (Hoxie Collective, SWT Design, and Fresco Marketing) to analyze the Southwest Boulevard corridor from 31^st Street to Broadway Boulevard. After gathering input from residents, stakeholders, and government officials about the corridor’s future potential, the team delivered a summary of recommendations, concluding with a plan aiming to protect residential and commercial areas, implement stormwater best practices and flood hazard mitigation, improve public amenities, and explore a complete streets approach on Southwest Boulevard.

Thank you to all the community members, stakeholders and business owners who participated in this process!

Following are highlights of the engagement process during this study:

• A Public Walking Tour was held on October 21, 2023, and the community provided great feedback to the team on specific goals and challenges along the Boulevard.
• The Virtual Walking Tour survey was shared with the public and additional feedback was received to guide the team’s direction.
• A focus group meeting was held with Kansas City Fire, Police, and EMS.
• A focus group meeting was held with KC Water regarding stormwater and water supply.
• The consultant team hosted a design workshop on alternative design concepts to refine and share with the Stakeholder Group and Public.
• A Spanish focus group meeting with residents and business owners was held.
• The visual preference survey was shared with the public.
• The Stakeholder Group provided input on preliminary design concepts.
• A Public Open House was held on April 4, 2024, and the community provided input on design concepts and recommendations to improve transportation, public space, and the environment.
• The Virtual Open House survey was shared with the public and additional feedback was received to guide the final recommendations.

Southwest Boulevard Study Final Report

Project Contact

Nicolas Bosonetto - Project Manager

(816) 513-2746

Kansas City Public Works, City Engineer