Kansas City's Klyde Warren

[KCHornedFrog]

Didn't see this anywhere else and thought it was interesting. Kansas City recently announced a highway deck park. A few people involved in the project have listed Klyde Warren as the model.

https://www.kctv5.com/2022/04/22/south-loop-link-project-cap-i-670-cover-55-acres-connect-crossroads-central-business-district/

[undefinedprocess]

Definitely bears a resemblance to Klyde Warren from this top-down view. Good for KC.

[Tnexster]

Most interesting, it does remind me of KWP, hope they do it. KC is a neat city and can probably use this kind of downtown investment.

[KCHornedFrog]

RFP to be issued for the cap. Initial timeline puts completion at 3rd quarter of 2027, but city officials want to expedite it to be completed by the World Cup (June 2026). No way it can be completed that fast right?


https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2022/08/26/south-loop-park-i-670-rfp-port-kc-downtown-council.html

Kansas City officials soon could enlist a consultant team to address some of the most important outstanding steps before breaking ground on a $160 million public park atop a stretch of Interstate 670.

The Port Authority of Kansas City is scheduled Sept. 1 to issue a request for proposals for groups to handle environmental review and preliminary design efforts on the 5.5-acre park, pending review by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Downtown Council representatives in recent months have shared a tentative window for the park to break ground in 2025 and potentially complete construction by the third quarter 2027, though with the possibility of a faster timeline depending on the project's design-build approach.

Port KC's coming RFP now stands to accelerate that schedule, City Manager Brian Platt said. He has expressed a hope to finish at least part, if not all, of the park before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"The design and due diligence phase will be completed in about 12 months from now, with construction to begin shortly thereafter and to continue based on available funding for each section, starting with the westernmost section," Platt said.

[KCHornedFrog]

Continuing to progress... $18 million in private support and $28.6 million in federal funding raised thus far. Price tag now at $200 million and size has shrunk to 4.6 acres, instead of original proposed 5.5.

City Manager comment on design changes:

Interesting design element here is that the park will be constructed in four separate sections while leaving the current street bridges intact that currently exist over the highway there already.

https://twitter.com/briandavidplatt/status/1629493899747115009?s=46&t=xaW6dvc2Sla_TZ28dCR6wA

[IcedCowboyCoffee]

City Manager comment on design changes:

Interesting design element here is that the park will be constructed in four separate sections while leaving the current street bridges intact that currently exist over the highway there already.

https://twitter.com/briandavidplatt/status/1629493899747115009?s=46&t=xaW6dvc2Sla_TZ28dCR6wA

That's... far from ideal. One of them should go or this risks becoming be a set of lawns for the nearby offices instead of functioning park space. Just one. If the concern is traffic Dallas's example should have shown that's not a huge issue? We are getting by just fine without the Harwood st bridge.

But I guess that's one thing that could always be done at a later date if Kansas City wants to do it.
I appreciate the updates on this KCHornedFrog.

[KCHornedFrog]

For sure. It's an exciting project for KC. Love Klyde Warren and it obviously has made a huge impact in Dallas.

Completely agree on your design comments. Candidly, I'm worried about value engineering impacting the experience/final product. Initial design had one of the streets (Walnut) being removed for park space. However, there were concerns from residents over cars diverting traffic to main street causing more congestion on the current streetcar route.