18th and Vine pedestrian mall heralds future development
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Kansas Citians celebrate the mall's opening Wednesday. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
The opening of a new pedestrian mall in the 18th and Vine District is just the beginning for this historic Kansas City neighborhood.
Why it matters: 18th and Vine is experiencing a renaissance, leaders said at a ribbon cutting Wednesday, including new businesses and historic investments all celebrating KC's Black history and culture.
Driving the news: 18th Street reopened as a pedestrian-friendly multi-use district — from The Paseo to Woodland Avenue — after about a year of construction.
- Improvements include landscape elements, overhead lighting, a central water drainage system and no street parking.
Catch up quick: The city met with the community twice in 2022 before drawing up final plans.
- The $8 million project was funded through a $4 million federal grant and several city sources.
- Construction work began last June with a target completion by the World Cup.
Zoom out: It's part of a larger public-private redevelopment initiative called Revive the Vine, totaling more than $400 million across 14 projects.
- Recent milestones include the reopening of the historic Boone Theater and the completion of a parking garage at 18th and Lydia.
- A pathway leading into 18th and Vine from The Paseo is set to be the eastern leg of a trail around downtown called Greenline KC.
- Other developments, including The Parker Apartments on Vine Street, are ongoing.
What they're saying: Mayor Quinton Lucas called the pedestrian mall a "down payment on future investment."
- "The city's really going to focus on bringing in more venues, more reasons to come down here, more festivals, and for the World Cup… local flavor," city engineer Nicolas Bosonetto told Axios.
- "This is a reintroduction of culture and art and identity as Black Kansas City," said James McGee, creative director of the Mutual Musicians Foundation.
What's next: Safi Fresh and Cupcakin are set to open June 12 at the former Soiree KC location, 1512 E 18th St., as part of the city's Open Doors program.