Construction continues across several Revive the Vine projects: 

These projects require various street closures, but all businesses remain open. Pedestrian walkways are maintained wherever possible, and detour signs are in place, including a digital message board near 22nd & The Paseo.

Pedestrian Mall Construction Progress: Grand Opening May 27th, 18th St (Paseo - Woodland) Closed to Vehicles

After nearly a year of construction, the pedestrian mall is nearing completion. A grand opening ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM to celebrate the completion of the project. This celebration marks a major milestone in the restoration of the Jazz District, and community members are invited to join the festivities: 

• When: May 27th at 11:00 AM 
• Where: 18th Street between Vine Street and Highland Avenue 
• Parking: Available for free in the Jazz District Garage Parking Garage (1819 Lydia Ave) or the Zhou B Art Center (1801 E 18th Street) 
• Agenda: Musical performances, program with formal remarks, ribbon cutting ceremony and a Jazz District open house 
• Jazz District businesses will be on full display at the open house, which will serve as an opportunity to welcome community members to businesses and attractions in the area.  
• Attendees will get an “18th and Vine Jazz District Passport,” which will feature a guide of businesses and points of interest in the area with exclusive offers, discounts or experiences from participating attractions, restaurants, and organizations.

Work in the area around the pedestrian mall is still ongoing ahead of May 27: 

• Fencing has come down on 18th Street from the Paseo to Woodland Avenue, opening 18th Street up to pedestrians. 
• 18th Street is still closed to vehicular traffic from The Paseo to Woodland Avenue and is expected to remain closed until the project is 100% complete. 
• Starting on Tuesday, May 19, Vine Street will temporarily shut down for bollard installation work. 
• Crews continue to add various decorative features along the corridor, with landscaping starting today (Friday, May 15).  
• Limited on-street parking on Highland Avenue between 17th Terrace and 18th Street and between 18th Street to 19th Street. 

Because there is no on-street parking on 18th Street between The Paseo and Woodland Avenue, other parking configurations have been implemented:  

• New on-street parking spaces have been implemented along the Paseo between 18th to 19th Street, and also between 18th to E 17th Terrace. These spots are available for 2 hour parking between 7 AM - 6 PM on weekdays.
• Parking is permitted on 18th Street to the east of Woodland Avenue, except for the signed bus stop area. 

Sidewalks Update; Open to Pedestrians

Sidewalks are substantially complete along 18th Street, with entry points for every business. There may be intermittent detours due to crews working to put the finishing touches on the corridor. Residents are encouraged to stay on ADA compliant pathways detailed in the diagram above.

Water Line Updates Across Construction

Water line work is required in several areas. Impacts include:

• Water main work on Highland Avenue south of 19th Street is expected to be completed next week.
• With work underway on Highland Avenue, parking is not permitted on the north side of the road between E 17th Terrace and 18th Street. 
• Residents will be notified in advance of any disruptions.

Resurfacing Update

Separate from the Pedestrian Mall construction, there is active resurfacing work going on in the Jazz District. This is happening in the following locations: 

• Woodland Avenue: from Truman Road to 21st Street 
• Highland Avenue: Alley behind the Boone Theater to 19th Street 
• 19th Street: Paseo to Woodland Avenue 
• Vine Street: 18th Street to 21st Street 

18th and Lydia Parking Garage: Ribbon Cutting May 22nd, Free Parking for First Two Weeks

After nearly a year of construction, the 18th and Lydia Parking Garage is getting closer to opening to the public! A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on May 22, 2026 to celebrate this milestone in the Historic Jazz District. More details about this event will be announced in the coming weeks.  

The public can expect the following impacts as crews continue to make progress towards completion:

• When: May 22nd at 11:00 AM 
• Where: Jazz District Garage Parking Garage (1819 Lydia Ave)
• Parking: Parking lot adjacent to the Jazz District Garage Parking Garage (1819 Lydia Ave) or on-street parking along the Paseo
• Agenda: Program with formal remarks followed by a ribbon cutting

The public can expect the following impacts as crews continue to make progress towards completion: 

• One lane closed on 19th Street from Paseo to Lydia Avenue, but traffic is still able to get through. This is expected to be in place through May 2026. 
• One lane is closed Lydia Avenue in project boundaries, which is expected to be in place through May 2026.
• Temporary art has been installed on the side of the parking garage, a local artist’s work will eventually be selected to replace this temporary design. 
• Project team finalizing drive approaches and ADA ramps. 
• Elevator installation is expected in the coming weeks. 
• Parking pricing to be announced soon, parking will be free until June 5, 2026. 

Work related to The Parker is underway on Vine Street, between 18th Street and 19th Street:

• Fencing is now set up around the construction site, which extends into the Paseo from 19th Street to 18th Street. 
• Large cones will be put in place to separate traffic from pedestrians. 
• The traffic control plan is essentially an extension of the current configuration along the Paseo. Pedestrians will detour at 19th Street and the Paseo, crossing from the east-side sidewalk to the west-side sidewalk. 
• Vertical construction is underway as of April, there will be large machinery and cranes moving large pieces of metal and wood during this time. 
• Crews will be working on installing elevator shafts and stairway shafts over the next few weeks. 
• Outside of the construction zone, there is still minimal public impact. 

Parade Park: Demolition Started

Demolition has begun at Parade Park Homes as part of the $300 million rebuilding project to create more than 1,100 affordable homes for seniors, families, and working people: 

• Demolition is expected to take approximately 60 to 75 days. 
• Demolition was previously delayed by federal permit requirements. 
• The neighborhood, one of the first Black-owned housing cooperatives in America, will be rebuilt with modern apartments that former residents can move back into. 
• The first phase of the project will include 479 townhomes, apartments and flats, and is expected to be completed in 2027. 
• The overarching project is expected to be completed in 2031. 

Timeline: 18th St Pedestrian Mall, 18th/Lydia Garage Target May 2026; Parker Timeline to be Announced

Despite multiple delays and disruptions to current phases of construction, the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2026. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for May 27, 2026. The image below can be referenced for the timeline of the different phases on the project.

The 18th and Lydia Parking Garage project is currently on track to be opened by mid-May 2026, with a ribbon cutting ceremony set for May 22, 2026. The private owners for The Parker have indicated that they intend to release information about completion at a later date. The Parade Park project and the work on I-70 won’t be completed until at least 2028 or beyond.

New Businesses Coming to 18th Street

Kansas City and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC) are excited to announce that more than 20 local businesses, artists, and organizations have been matched to storefronts across the city through the Open Doors! program, and some of those businesses are coming to the Jazz District! Here’s what’s coming to 18th Street: 

• Boxx Décor Co. — 1710–1712 E 18th Street 

An elevated home décor experience offering curated, ready-to-style interior pieces. 

• Grind LLC — 1708 E 18th Street 

A lifestyle-driven coffee and culture brand rooted in community and daily ritual. 

• Cupcakin — 1512 E 18th Street 

A beloved local bakery known for its handcrafted cupcakes and vibrant flavors. 

• Safi Fresh — 1512 E 18th Street (Collaborative Space) 

A fresh food and catering concept focused on quality ingredients and community connection. 

• New “Community Hub” Space - 1516 E 18th Street 

The community hub (previously located in 1512 E 18th Street) is moving a few doors down! This will house information and resources for the community.

Boone Theater Now Open

The Vine Street Collaborative team—a local partnership of Shomari Benton, Tim Duggan, and Jason Parson - is jazzed to announce that the newly renovated historic Boone Theater is now officially open! After years of dormancy, this cultural cornerstone has been restored. More than just a renovation, this project is a reimagined landmark in the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District and a renewed commitment to community investment and development.

Streetcar Feasibility Study

The 18th & Vine Streetcar Feasibility Study is well-underway, with the project team collecting community feedback on a potential streetcar extension and draft alignment alternatives. Stay tuned for public engagement opportunities and learn more about the project online!

Impact of Closures & Permitting 

Events traditionally held on 18th Street will be impacted by active construction zones. For the safety of event participants, event organizers must relocate festivities to The Paseo between Truman Road and 18th Street or consider an alternate location (outside of 18th Street) within the Jazz District during this period. Kansas City is committed to supporting these events and looks forward to welcoming them back to an improved and revitalized 18th Street in the future. For questions about event permitting or location changes, please contact David Warren with the Kansas City Permit Division.

Business Resources

There are resources for both active and potential businesses owners provided through Kansas City BizCare. The program acts as a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, providing guidance on navigating the city's licensing, permitting, and approval processes, as well as connecting them with relevant resources and support organizations. Kansas City BizCare also helps businesses access capital programs and promotes economic mobility.

Newsletter Sign Up

Now anyone can sign up to receive newsletter updates through a new feature on the Revive the Vine webpage. Anybody who is interested in being on the newsletter mailing list can enter their email address in the section that says “sign up for email updates” in the top right corner of the page. If you know of anyone who doesn’t receive our weekly newsletter, you’re encouraged to refer them to the website. 

MORE ABOUT REVIVE THE VINE 

Revive the Vine is Kansas City's $400+ million reinvestment initiative in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The program combines major public infrastructure projects with private development to restore cultural landmarks, expand housing, improve walkability, and support neighborhood vitality. 

As part of the initiative, the City is also working to activate vacant storefronts by bringing in small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs-ensuring 18th & Vine remains a vibrant cultural and commercial destination for generations to come.