Project Update 4/23/2026:

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. Both projects are nearing substantial completion:

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

• Repaving of the roadway is scheduled to start Monday, April 27, 2026, please see paving schedule:
  • Milling will take place from April 27 - May 1, prohibiting on-street parking between 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM during this period.
  • No work will be preformed from the night of Friday, May 1 through the night of Tuesday, May 5, so Cinco De Mayo celebrations will not be disrupted.
  • Paving of the roadway will take place from Wednesday, May 6 - Wednesday, May 13, prohibiting on-street parking between 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM on weekdays during this period.
  • Striping of new lane markings, crosswalks, etc. will take place from Wednesday, May 13 until the project is completed.
• A design firm has been hired to design concepts for the plaza where the Las Tarascas statue will be installed. The design is 50% completed, with the project team seeking public engagement before moving forward.
• Traffic signal replacement at Summit Street and Southwest Boulevard is 60% complete.
• Traffic signal replacement at Avenida Cesar E. Chavez and Southwest Boulevard is 60% complete.
• Landscaping and tree planting is expected to start by the end of April.
• Sidewalks and shared-use path are completed.
• Banner installation is completed.
• Lighting upgrades under the I-35 bridge are complete.
• Bird control features under the I-35 bridge have been installed.
• Security camera installation under the I-35 bridge is 75% complete.
• New Public Parking signs will be installed by the end of April. Illegal signage has been removed.
• Overarching project is expected to be completed in May 2026.

2. Water Department is currently replacing waterlines throughout the Westside.

• Water main replacement on Summit Street from Southwest Boulevard to 25^th Street is nearing completion. WSD is completing the final tie-ins for the new waterlines at the intersection of Southwest Boulevard and Summit Street.
• Water main replacement on 26th Street from Southwest Boulevard to Summit Street is complete.
• Water main replacement on Madison Avenue from 26^th Street to 25^th Street is complete.
• 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).

Public Engagement Update:

There are still elements of this project that Kansas City staff members are seeking community feedback on. A SpeakEasy page has been created for residents to review renderings and leave comments about what elements they want to be implemented. Staff is seeking feedback on:

• The design for the Las Tarascas Plaza
• The concept for revitalizing the Westside Fountain as a decorative planter
• The plans to paint an Evergy power-box on the Las Tarascas Plaza (artistic mural or solid color)

The Project Manager for the Southwest Boulevard Streetscape Project previously spoke at the Westside Neighborhood Association meeting on January 15, 2026 and April 2, 2026. He gave updates on the project and led a public discussion about plans for the Las Tarascas statue. He gave a similar presentation to the Sacred Heart Neighborhood on February 1, 2026. 

Multiple meetings were held previously during the transportation study period (more details below) and in May of 2025.

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
  • Lane layout will be reconfigured to improve safety after the road is repaved, check out the configuration here.

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