Kansas City, Missouri – The city is moving on with its ambitious Revive the Vine effort, which is changing the Historic 18th & Vine District in Kansas City. Businesses and visitors have had certain challenges because of bad weather and temporary closures, but significant infrastructure projects are moving forward quickly. City leaders continue to concentrate on making the district a lively center of culture, business, and community.
There are a lot of projects going on in the region right now, such as the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall, the 18th and Lydia Parking Garage, The Parker Apartments, and work on the Boone Theater. The change has caused a number of street and sidewalk closures, the most important of which is along 18th Street from The Paseo to Vine Street, where cars and pedestrians can’t get through until at least September.
Despite these disruptions, shops remain open, and pedestrian pathways are being maintained up as much as possible. People who want to go to important places like The Blue Room, the American Jazz Museum, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum can still get in through back doors and ADA-compliant paths. But the recent rain has made the makeshift gravel ramps less stable, which has slowed some development and made it harder for people to walk.
There has been more construction going on underground in the last few weeks. Spire is now installing gas lines down 18th Street ahead of the previously planned start date. Water line construction at the intersection of 18th and Vine has also closed that area to traffic. Parts of the district will be closed off and on until August because of more utility maintenance, such as upgrading storm sewers and moving the Spectrum line.
Highland Avenue near the Boone Theater will also be closed soon. Storm sewer construction is set to start there by the end of August. During this phase, there will be a temporary one-way traffic setup so that those who live nearby may go to their homes.
The “18th and Vine communications meeting” on Monday, August 4, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at 1512 E. 18th Street is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to get more involved in the redevelopment process. On Tuesday, August 5, there will also be a public hearing about the proposed Paseo shared-use trail, which is part of the larger Green Line Initiative. The meeting will be at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Events traditionally held on 18th Street are being relocated due to safety concerns during construction. For instance, the Heart of America Hot Dog Festival will henceforth be held at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on August 9, 2025.
The city is also actively looking for solutions to fill a number of empty storefronts in the district. The city’s Bonfire platform is open for entrepreneurs and small business owners to submit their initiatives until August 8. Kansas City BizCare is also helping people who want to help the neighborhood’s economy get back on track.
Revive the Vine is not only about new pavement or pipes; it’s about recreating one of Kansas City’s most famous cultural sites with more than $400 million. The city’s plan for 18th & Vine is moving forward, even if there have been delays due to bad weather and construction noise. One sidewalk, storefront, and story at a time.
The most recent updates are available here.
