Major Riverfront Project by KC Current Stadium Endorsed for Incentives

By Kevin Collison

A $650 million, mixed-use development being hailed as the final step in a generational effort to redevelop the downtown riverfront received unanimous backing from the Port KC development committee Monday.

The project is expected to include more than 1,000 apartments in several towers, 210,000 square-feet of office space and 53,000 square feet of retail.

The multi-phase project would be located on several properties totaling 7.5 acres owned by Port KC near the $117 million KC Current stadium now under construction.

“This is a fundamentally two-phase concept for a significant European-style, walkable, dense community that will meet or exceed the planning vision for the riverfront,” Jon Stephens, Port KC president and CEO said.

“It will complete the primary core of the riverfront as it was envisioned 30 plus years ago.”

The proposed riverfront development would be built in phases over 10 years and include more than 1,000 apartments in several towers. (Image from Port KC presentation)

The master developer is an affiliate of the women’s professional soccer club and its co-owners Chris and Angie Long.

The redevelopment plan, which was unveiled last month, would be built in phases over 10 years and completed in 2034. It’s expected to break ground next year.

“This will be completed within one decade, lightning fast for development,” Stephens said.

While renderings have not been prepared, the development schedule presented to Port KC  indicated the first phase would include a nine-story apartment project with later phases calling for 11-, 14- and 16-story apartment buildings.

A five-story office project also is part of the plan. The development would include 1,070 structured and surface parking spaces.

The developers are requesting a 15-year property tax abatement for the commercial space, 70 percent for 10 years and 30 percent for five; and a 15-year abatement for the residential component, 95 percent for 10 years and 90 percent for five.

A sales tax exemption on construction materials also is being sought. Because the land is publicly owned and doesn’t generate taxes currently, the development is still expected to yield $30 million for local taxing jurisdictions over 25 years.

The 11,500-seat KC Current stadium is scheduled to open next year.

The riverfront development plan also calls for 10 percent of the apartments, about 104 units, to be reserved as affordable for households earning 50 percent of Area Median Income.

The developer also is expected to contribute $35 million in infrastructure work including streets and utilities.

The Port KC development committee responded enthusiastically to the development plan which is expected to be considered by the full board later this month.

“This will be completely transformative, it will be crazy to see this in 10 years compared to how the riverfront has sat,” said Commissioner Claire Terrebonne.

In recent years, the 11,500-seat KC Current stadium, apartment projects totaling more than 1,000 units, a 120-room hotel, the Bar K dog park and bar, and a beer garden in Berkley Riverfront Park have been completed or are under construction.

In addition, the Kansas City Streetcar Authority is building a streetcar extension to Berkley Park and the Bally casino is completing a $61 million overhaul of their riverfront casino. ‘

There also is a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge planned for parallel to the Grand Boulevard viaduct leading to the riverfront.

The Waldo74Broadway apartment project would be built on the current location of The Well bar and grill at 7421 Broadway. (Rendering from Port KC presentation)

In other matters, the Port KC development committee recommended incentives for the $90 million Waldo74Broadway apartment project. EPC Real Estate Group is cooperating with the Lewellen family, the owner of The Well at 7421 Broadway, on the project.

The 278-unit development would be built on land currently occupied by The Well and the restaurant and bar would occupy the ground floor of the new building. The project would reserve 20 percent of its units for households earning 60 percent of Area Median Income.

The developer is seeking a 20-year property tax abatement starting at 90 percent the first year. It would then drop to 85 percent for years two through five; 75 percent, years six through 10; 55 percent, years 11- through 15, and 25 percent, years 16- through 20.

The project originally sought incentives from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. It had been recommended for approval by the agency’s former development arm, Ride KC, but that request was not approved by the full KCATA board.

Work on Waldo74Broadway is expected to begin by late this year or early 2024 with completion anticipated in Fall 2026.