Work Begins on New Plaza and Parking in the Heart of Downtown KC

By Ann Holliday, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Downtown Council of Kansas City

After 8-years of community engagement, planning and design work, the redevelopment of Barney Allis Plaza and the Auditorium Parking Garage in Downtown Kansas City is underway! Last week, the City Council approved funding to move forward with the demolition of the facility located in the heart of the KC Convention District at 12th & Wyandotte.

The park sits on top of a garage which has recently been unusable due to dangerous conditions. Continued investment in repairs is unsustainable and the structure is beyond its useful life. The garage will close starting on Monday, April 15, 2024, so that crews can begin preparing for abatement and demolition in anticipation of future reconstruction which will begin in April 2024 to complete the project in time to fulfill and accommodate upcoming hotel and tourism commitments for the FIFA World Cup 26.

Located in the heart of Kansas City, Barney Allis Plaza offers visitors a critical first impression of downtown. Re-imagined from its current state into a thriving, arts-focused greenspace, there is tremendous potential for Barney Allis Plaza to become a world-class gathering place for residents and visitors alike, creating a huge draw for convention business and tourism sectors, as well as an iconic gathering space for residents.

The design-build team is led by local companies, McCownGordon Construction and HOK.

During construction, visitors are encouraged to use public transit, ride-share, or alternative parking locations. Click here for alternatives.

The redevelopment of Barney Allis Plaza and the Auditorium Garage is a catalytic project included in the Imagine Downtown KC 2030 Strategic Plan.