KC Streetcar extension officially opens
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City and state leaders gathered Friday in the Plaza to publicly launch the Main Street extension of the KC Streetcar, kicking off a new era of connectivity from the River Market to UMKC.
The big picture: The celebration of the $352 million project came after nearly a decade of work funding and building the line, which officials hope could become a catalyst for further urban revival.
What they're saying: City manager Mario Vasquez, who has worked in city development since 1997, said Friday he's seen major transformation during his time — from the T-Mobile Center to Union Station and the WWI Museum — and all of it will be connected by the streetcar.
And we're not done, right? We are hoping to next reinvigorate the Plaza, reimagine what it needs to be as the future and center of Kansas City. And beyond that, you know, we still have a baseball team to bring downtown.— Mario Vasquez
What's next: The streetcar's Riverfront Extension is anticipated to open early next year.