Project Update: 

Updated 5/4/26

Major construction is officially underway. That construction is expected to be complete in mid-May 2026. Because of this construction, 18th Street from The Paseo to Woodland Avenue is currently closed to traffic. As of April 13, 2026, fencing has been taken down on 18th Street from the Paseo to Highland Avenue. 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

View Presentation

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. 
• As of April 2026, concrete work is substantially complete. Crews are finishing water line replacements along Highland Avenue, installing the streetlighting controller and finishing up decorative features and landscaping.
• 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 early May 2026.

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

18th Street is now open to pedestrians. Nearly all portions are ADA compliant. There may be intermittent detours due to active work, so residents are advised to avoid any active construction. Work on the Parker is active, so residents must stay out of the fenced project site.

Project Contact

Amy Bunnell, Project Manager

(816) 513-2748