The Kansas City Current, in collaboration with Palmer Square Capital Management, Marquee Development and the Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri (Port KC), unveiled plans for the next phase of its transformational development on the Missouri Riverfront in downtown Kansas City. Building upon the opening of CPKC Stadium, the first purpose-built women’s professional sports stadium in the world, the Current will develop a mixed-use district anchored by the stadium, Berkley Riverfront Park and the Missouri Riverfront.
This next phase will add $200 million-plus in private funding, with all phases of the development exceeding $800 million in total investment. The project will break ground at the end of 2024, targeting a 2026 completion date.
The development will extend the fabric of Kansas City directly to the water’s edge, providing a pedestrian-focused experience for Berkley Riverfront residents, KC Current fans and visitors alike. Along with adding hundreds of multifamily residential units to the neighborhood, the project will create new public gathering and recreational spaces for the city, including a new town square and a riverfront promenade – continuing the work by Port KC to bring life and vibrancy to the Missouri Riverfront.
Food and beverage offerings will showcase local restaurateurs, creating a new destination for the community and unique amenities for adjacent neighborhoods. The public gathering areas will be programmed year-round, with family-friendly events like movie nights, food festivals, fitness classes, live music and more.
“Kansas City was founded at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. With the next phase of our investment in Berkley Riverfront Park, our goal is to reconnect Kansas Citians to their riverfront, bringing even more energy and activity to the water,” Angie Long, co-founder and co-owner of the KC Current said. “We believe this foundational investment will benefit our community for years to come and cement the Berkley Riverfront as one of Kansas City’s great neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike.”
The district will attract more visitors to the Berkley Riverfront area and drive economic growth, housing opportunities and job creation for Kansas City and the State of Missouri. An economic impact study estimates the first phase of this project will deliver over $210 million and $310 million of city and state economic output, respectively, over 30 years. Additionally, 10% of residential units across all phases of the development will be set aside for residents at a 50% area median income affordability threshold, – creating hundreds of new affordable units for the city across all phases of the development.
“The long-neglected Kansas City Riverfront has been reenergized in recent years through thoughtful investments by Port KC and our partners. From trails to murals, housing to hotels, we have set the stage for what a vibrant riverfront should be for all Kansas Citians,” Jon Stephens, president and CEO of Port KC. “Our partnership with the KC Current and this world-class development team is supercharging our vision of a walkable, creative, diverse, and exciting public space. The conversation about Berkley Riverfront has now turned from what could be, to what will be.”
Marquee Development will serve as co-master developer of the project alongside the Kansas City Current. With expertise in sports-adjacent mixed-use districts, Marquee’s notable projects include Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field, North Loop Green in Minneapolis, the FC Cincinnati West End Mixed-Use District, and a community plaza development at the New Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
The Current has engaged Perkins Eastman as the architect for this endeavor.
