Kansas City, Missouri – The Historic 18th & Vine District in Kansas City is changing in front of our eyes as several Revive the Vine projects continue forward, even though the weather is making things hard. There is a lot of construction going on in the region that is changing the shape of streets, sidewalks, and public areas while still making it easy for people to go to businesses and wander around.
There is still work to be done on the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall, the 18th and Lydia Parking Garage, the Parker Apartments, and the Boone Theater’s rehabilitation. Even when some streets are closed, all businesses are still operating. Pedestrian paths are maintained where possible, supported by posted detours and a digital message board near 22nd Street and The Paseo to guide visitors.
Traffic will stay closed along 18th Street between The Paseo and Woodland Avenue for the whole time that the pedestrian mall renovation is going on. The sidewalks on the north side are open, but they aren’t connected at the intersections yet.
There are parking limitations on some parts of Highland Avenue, and there is no parking on the street on 18th Street within the work zone. To make up for this, people can park east of Woodland Avenue, and if the weather is favorable, a temporary parking plan will be striped along The Paseo.
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Work on concrete has slowed down because of the cold, but progress continues. The concrete work is done between The Paseo and Vine Street, and new streetlight poles will be put up soon. Between Vine Street, Highland Avenue, and Woodland Avenue, more concrete and restoration work is almost done.
Some sidewalks are now safe to walk on again, such as those in front of the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. You can get to them from E. 17th Terrace. New crosswalks at 18th and Vine Streets have also reconnected crucial north-south pedestrian linkages.
Upgrades to infrastructure go beyond just sidewalks. Highland Avenue is getting new water mains, which means that parking is limited for a short time. Lane closures are still in effect on Vine Street between 18th and 19th Streets while restoration work is going on. Highland Avenue north of 18th Street is closed because of renovations at the Boone Theater. South of the site, the roads have been restriped to allow traffic in both directions.
The 18th and Lydia Parking Garage is almost done with construction. The last concrete pours are being done. Around the middle of January, a crane is planned to be taken down, which will lead to greater truck activity. Later in the month, Lydia Avenue will be closed for a short time.
The city still hopes to finish the 18th Street Pedestrian Mall and parking structure by early June 2026, even though the weather has caused delays. Community engagement continues alongside construction, with upcoming events, performances and festivals planned throughout the district. City officials say that certain events will have to move for safety concerns, but the long-term goal is still to make 18th Street more accessible, lively, and renovated.
