Project Overview

This project includes various improvements, renovations and new buildings in the central West Bottoms area. The project area stretches north to south from Forrester Road to West 12th Street, and west to east from Hickory Street to Santa Fe Street and Union Avenue. Kansas City is working with developer Somera Road Inc. to carry out this project, which will cost around $526.7 million in total. $45.8 million will be provided by the City to support public infrastructure improvements related to this project.

Infrastructure improvements include:

• Roadway and sidewalk restoration
• New streetlights
• Upgraded sewer system
• Water line replacements
• New public gathering space and improved green space

The overall redevelopment plan from Somera Road Inc. includes:

• Converting several existing buildings into a mixture of offices, multifamily housing, restaurant space and a hotel
• A newly constructed 400-space parking garage
• Newly constructed apartment buildings

Project Timeline

The project will be carried out in two phases over the next 10 - 15 years:

Phase 1

• Demolition work started in March 2024
• Water main and sewer replacement work started in October 2024
• Street reconstruction began in August 2025
• Smart Sewer, water main and street improvement work is still ongoing as of January 2026
• Construction on the Union Square Plaza expected to start July 2026
• Phase 1 roadway, alley and utility improvements are expected to be completed by November 2026
• Union Square Plaza at 11th Street and Santa Fe Street expected to be completed by November 2026
• Renovations of the Perfection Stove Company building, the Moline Plow Company building and the Crooks Terminal building and are expected to be completed between 2026 and 2028
• New buildings are expected to be constructed between 2026 and 2028

Phase 2

• Timeline details for phase 2 will become more clear in the coming months, pending project coordination 
• Work on implementing street lights, landscaping and streetscaping are expected to start in January 2026
• Overall scope will include new buildings, renovated existing buildings, and improvements to roadways, alleys, utilities and railroad crossings

Project Contact

Randy Alewine, Project Manager 

Kansas City Public Works Department – District Engineer for Districts 4 and 6

Phone: (816) 513-2589