Project Update: 

Updated 2/13/26

Major construction is officially underway. That construction is expected to be complete June 2026. Because of this construction, 18th Street from The Paseo to Woodland Avenue is currently closed to traffic. Despite construction, businesses and sidewalks along 18th Street are open. 

Project Overview

Streetscape improvements for the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall project will create a seamless corridor for pedestrian activity by removing curbs, gutters, and parking along 18th Street. Replacement parking and additional spots will be provided in a new parking garage that's being constructed on the south side of 18th Street, west of Paseo.

For accessibility, the Pedestrian Mall will feature ADA compliant ramps with truncated domes at all intersections. The area is designed to support public events, with the ability to enact an "activation plan" to set up bollards and close 18th Street to vehicles from Woodland Avenue to The Paseo. Vehicular traffic will still be able to get through the 18th Street corridor when events are not taking place. 

Construction of the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall project is funded by $4 million secured by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and over $2 million approved by Kansas City, Missouri.

Project Fact Sheet

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Project Timeline

Major construction:

• Work on 18th Street from The Paseo to Vine Street started June 2025.
• Major construction from The Paseo to Vine Street delayed due to crews running into an unforeseen Evergy vault underground, pushing the end of that phase to October 2025.
• To keep project on schedule, constructors have started major construction on 18th Street between Vine Street and Highland Avenue. 
• As of October 20, 2025, construction is underway on all of 18th Street between The Paseo and Woodland Avenue.
• As of December 12, 2025, 18th Street from The Paseo to Vine Street is nearly complete. 18th Street between Vine Street and Highland Avenue is in progress, with substantial completion of that portion expected in January 2026 (weather permitting).
• As of February 2026, construction is mostly completed on 18th Street from The Paseo to Highland Avenue, with some minor work still needed in those areas. Work is underway on the last portion of 18th Street, from Highland Avenue to Woodland Avenue. 
• Expected to be complete by June 2026.

Water main replacement on Vine Street:

• Work started Mid-June 2025.
• Work is substantially complete as of December 2025.

Water main replacement on Highland Avenue:

• Started in December 2025.
• Work expected to be complete by March 2025.

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.

Pedestrian Accessibility

Sidewalk work continues along portions of 18th Street. 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:

• The south sidewalk between Highland Avenue and Woodland Avenue is now complete and ADA accessible; work has shifted to the north sidewalk. 
• Access to the entrances of KC Juke House and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey are being maintained, as crews are starting in the middle of the sidewalk and working their way out. Work will need to be done in front of those businesses to complete the north sidewalk in several weeks. 
• There is a new, temporary crosswalk at the 18th Street and Highland Avenue intersection to connect the north sidewalk to the south sidewalk. While this walkway is not fully ADA-accessible, it is still providing connectivity in the intersection. This crosswalk will be upgraded as construction progresses. 
• Sidewalk is now accessible in front of the GEM Theater entrance, but pedestrians must still follow a specific route to get there. 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 entrance of the GEM Theater. 
• Sidewalks in front of the American Jazz Museum and the NLBM are now walkable again. 
• There is also 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.
• New crosswalks are open at the intersection of 18th Street and Vine Street to connect the north sidewalk to the south sidewalk. These pathways extend pedestrian access down Vine Street from 18th Street to 19th Street. Pedestrians should still be careful to avoid any ongoing restoration work in that general area.
• 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.

Project Contact

Amy Bunnell, Project Manager

(816) 513-2748