Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City is preparing to mark a major milestone in public transportation and neighborhood revitalization with the grand opening of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension. In partnership with the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, city officials have announced a full weekend of community celebrations beginning Friday, October 24, to commemorate the completion of the long-anticipated streetcar expansion from Union Station to 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard.
This 3.5-mile extension connects the River Market to the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC), strengthening the city’s regional transit system and linking residents and visitors to jobs, schools, businesses, and cultural destinations.
A Celebration Years in the Making
Planning for the project began back in April 2017, with construction officially breaking ground on April 6, 2022. The project was led by KC Streetcar Constructors, a joint venture between Herzog Contracting Corp. and Stacy and Witbeck, with support from Burns & McDonnell and JE Dunn Construction.
The project is overseen through a partnership between the City of Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO), the KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA), and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). It is fully funded through a mix of federal and local sources, including $200 million in federal Capital Investment Grant funds from the Federal Transit Administration and $152 million in locally generated funds through the voter-approved Main Street Rail Transportation Development District.
“The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension represents what we can accomplish when the City, our partners, and our community work together. This project connects people to jobs, schools, and neighborhoods, and it’s the result of years of dedication from teams across Kansas City. This is a generational, strategic investment that will make a difference for years into the future,” said City Manager Mario Vazquez.
Grand Opening Weekend Schedule
The celebration will officially begin with a Grand Opening Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24 at the Plaza Streetcar Stop. The event will feature appearances by Mayor Quinton Lucas, city and state elected officials, representatives from the Federal Transit Administration, and other stakeholders.
“Since 2016, the Kansas City Streetcar has served millions of trips, proving its value to Kansas City residents, visitors, and businesses. The Main Street Extension builds on that success by connecting our neighborhoods from the River Market to the Plaza and UMKC, opening up new opportunities for our neighbors and visitors throughout our community,” said Mayor Lucas.
At the end of the ceremony, the Main Street Extension will officially open for public use. Riders will be able to board the streetcar at any stop between River Market and UMKC and experience the expanded line firsthand.
Community Celebrations Highlight Kansas City’s Culture
Two major public events will take place following the ribbon cutting:
-
Friday, October 24 (5:00 – 9:00 p.m.) at the UMKC Streetcar Stop
Performances by UMKC Conservatory Jazz Ensemble, Brass & Boujee, Summerbreeze
Live painting by DINKC, fire-eating by Jason Divad, Silent Disco, and more -
Saturday, October 25 (12:00 – 5:00 p.m.) at Murray Davis Park (40th & Main)
Entertainment from the Pythons Drill Team, Stone Lion Puppets, The Royal Chief and the CRWN Jwls, and others
“The southern extension of the streetcar system is about more than new tracks on Main Street—it’s a generational investment in our community. It’s about connecting our neighborhoods, businesses, educational institutions, and cultural spaces in a way that moves Kansas City forward,” said Tom Gerend, Executive Director of the KC Streetcar Authority.
Art and Community at the Heart of the Celebration
As part of the festivities, the KC Streetcar Authority partnered with the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) for a commemorative design contest. Student Sam Morgan was selected from nine finalists to design the official Grand Opening poster, which will be available at celebration sites and the KCAI bookstore.
This effort was made possible by generous support from numerous community partners and sponsors, including Burns & McDonnell, HDR, HNTB, JE Dunn, UMKC, Midtown KC Now, the Country Club Plaza, and many others.
All events during the Grand Opening weekend are free and open to the public, with additional information, entertainment schedules, and rider details available on the KC Streetcar Grand Opening webpage.
