Streetcar Stops: Access to the WWI Museum improves
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Steppin' off. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
The first new streetcar stop south of Union Station is only a short ride up the hill, but its location has a much bigger impact than the distance it covers.
The big picture: We're exploring the connectivity and rider experience of the KC Streetcar's Main Street Extension.
First stop: National World War I Museum and Memorial.
What they're saying: "We've already heard from dozens of guests who are utilizing the streetcar to visit," says Karis Erwin, vice president of marketing and guest services at the museum, adding that 75% to 80% of visitors are from out of town.
- "Having a free and convenient transportation option to the Museum and Memorial is such an asset."
What to expect: Riders step off near 27th and Main streets. The southbound stop connects to pathways up to the museum and lawn. From there, you can access Pennway Park to the west.
- Heading east on 27th takes you to Union Cemetery, with access to the north end of Crown Center via Grand Boulevard.
Zoom in: A curb barrier sets the streetcar apart from traffic, a feature KC Streetcar Authority executive director Tom Gerend says helps establish transit-only lanes.
- A tandem mobility lane along the streetcar rail accommodates cyclists, and a paved pathway winds up a hill from the stop to the museum's front doors.
💠Travis' thought bubble: On my visit, I saw four people making the walk. It's still a bit of a hike from the stop to the museum doors, but it sure beats the previous half-mile trek up from Pershing Road.
- But the museum could add better wayfinding — it's not clear the best way to get from the museum down to the streetcar.
Context: Events such as the NFL Draft and Chappell Roan concerts have drawn massive crowds on foot from downtown.
- That "was not a pleasant visitor experience in the heat of summer," Erwin says.
What's next: The 2026 World Cup Fan Fest — the event's primary fan zone — will be held at the museum's south lawn.
- Donna Mandelbaum, director of communications at the KC Streetcar Authority, says they plan to deploy additional streetcars during the World Cup to help handle the crowds.