Westport High School Commences Construction

The owners of the former Westport High School began work in April. A Master Plan Development (MPD) was approved by the City in 2018, and revised in 2020.  The MPD is divided into multiple phases, with the first phase comprised of a renovation of the original 1908 building into 138 apartments. The work also includes renovating the 1964 and 1992 additions. Site modifications include Oak Street will be extended from 39th to 40th, similar to the street configuration prior to 1989.  A parking lot and park will be created south of the school building. 

Work is anticipated to be complete in Fall 2023.  View project schedule here. 

If you have questions or concerns about the project, please email us at sna.membership@gmail.com.

Key Impacts 

Week of May 23rd: Connection Building Demo 

June 2022: Water tie-in (McGee) 

September 2022: Sanitary tie-in (McGee) 

Fall 2022 – Summer 2023: West sidewalk closure 

Fall 2022 – Summer 2023: Oak Street Extension 

Fall 2022 – Summer 2023: Maximum workers on-site                         

Working hours: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., M-F, some Saturdays 

City to Redraw Council Districts

The Kansas City Missouri charter requires the City to re-evaluate and redraw its council districts every ten years, following the receipt of results from the US Census. This process must be complete by the end of the year. 

Many people may not be following this process, but it will have an impact here in Southmoreland.  We are currently in the 4th District, and over the last ten years it has grown by nearly 16%, while the City has grown by 10%.  South of the 4th District is the 6th District, which has lost population.  Because the largest and smallest districts can not be more than 10% apart in size, and each district should be roughly equal in population, there will be a shift in the 4th District Boundary.  Proposed plans show the district boundary between 4th District and 6th District to be at 43rd Street, which splits our neighborhood into two districts. There are advantages and disadvantages to this split. 

The Neighborhood Association has testified publicly that our preference is for Southmoreland to remain in one district, and not split between two districts.  If you have a preference - you wish to stay in the 4th, move to the 6th, or have other comments, please reach out to the City Redistricting Commission by submitting your feed back in the form at the bottom of the link below. 

https://www.kcmo.gov/programs-initiatives/redistrict

Timeline of Events - KCAI Academic Building

January 27 2018
KCAI holds public presentation to share Master Plan Proposal. It is announced that after construction projects are complete, KCAI will be selling Mineral Hall and Advancement House into single-family residence.

March 14 2018
Meeting with KCAI , Polly MacRoberts (immediate neighbor and SNA VP), Scott Heffley (SNA Neighborhood Preservation Chair) and Laura Burkhalter (SNA board president) to discuss site inclusion on the MPD (it was removed by KCAI to give neighbors more time to work with KCAI on mass, scale, style, materiality, etc).

April 16 2018SNA sends letter of support to City for KCAI MPD, after negotiations with the school. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lvROHa5ciM_fbp681-_H5wwBA46u8Zt9/view?usp=sharing

May 17 2018
Public meeting - discussed new Residence Hall and discussed 44th and Oak site.

June 14 2018
July 18 2018
October 3 2018
Charette Meetings - the SNA board then decided, along with KCAI to have a series of meetings with the Architect, Landscape Architect, other immediate neighbors, Rockhill, Brad Wolff from the City’s Historic Preservation Office, and KCAI. The very first session, was a listening session where Hufft reviewed the program for the building, then listened and documented what the neighbors thought was important, what should be included, and what should be avoided for the project. In subsequent meetings, we discussed massing, scale, setback, lighting, security, style, materiality, etc). After the last of these meetings, the group agreed that the design and concept was at a point that should be shared with the entire neighborhood. That meeting is taking place this Tuesday, December 4th at Epperson Auditorium on the Campus of KCAI, at 5:30 pm.

To read the minutes from those meetings, view the link below: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nbRKL6zscwz4KD3tcvc6gRK1Z-5RdWJr

October 8 2018
Polly and Stacey Kenyon (SNA Planning and Development Chair) met at the Hufft office with KCAI rep and the Architect to look at the architectural model, give feedback, and view the building from the perspective of Polly's property.

November 16 2018
Proposed project is reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, and was a approved in a 6-0 vote, and was provided a Certification of Appropriateness.

View the presentation to the Historic Preservation Commission here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1olxvyCM43k2GSLXn9oPHHYIE7IDRQxgB
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LLhBzVmjuSN8pxkXunneMKg5fAnfRC_y

December 4 2018
Public meeting for proposed project, which requires a Special Use Permit by The City. SNA Board of Directors will meet immediately after presentation, at Epperson Auditorium.

View the submittal to City here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11NqfN1XTTF6tQqPxhmoOZ91qX39czxCk

Monday, November 12th: SNA Board Meeting - SPECIAL LOCATION

Please join us for our monthly meeting to engage in the happenings of Southmoreland. The board will meet this month at St. Paul's Episcopal Day School, 4041 Main Street @ Maker's Space. We will be touring St. Paul's recently renovated school facility, and learning about their plans for new projects on their campus. The meeting begins at 6:30pm. Enter school building through Main Street Entrance.

City Plan Commission Moves to Advance Re-Zoning of Westport High

On Tuesday, November 6th, the Kansas City City Plan Commission voted to approve the re-zoning of the former Westport High School property. The sale of the property to Kansas City Sustainable Development Partners was approved by Kansas City Public Schools in 2015, and the sale was completed in 2016. A master planning effort by the Developer has been underway over the past 14 months. During that time Southmoreland neighborhood leaders have had an ongoing dialogue with the Developer about their goals and offered feedback. A public meeting was held on October 1st where the Developer presented its development plan and sought neighborhood feedback. Re-development plans include renovating the existing school building, building multi-family and single-family housing along the East side, facing Locust, between 39th and 40th Street. The site is also under consideration for the UMKC Conservatory project. Similar functions would take place if the site were chosen for that use.

While some questions understandably have been raised about traffic flow and protecting on-street parking for existing neighbors, most members of our community are supportive of the direction planned and believe this use will add to the overall vitality of the area. And in an effort to address these concerns, the Developer has committed to the following items:

1. Support in implementing permit parking with neighbors on McGee between 39th and 40th through the City's Public Works - Traffic Division, as homeowners on this block rely on on-street parking.

2. Continued study of the traffic along McGee, Oak, Locust, 39th Terrace (new) and 40th Street, to achieve a traffic solution residents are comfortable with.

3. Implement traffic calming mechanisms on McGee between 39th and 40th by means of raised tables and additional calming mechanisms as recommended by Architect and/or City.

4. Further assessment of proposed signal at 39th and McGee. There is concern regarding the distance between the signal at 40th and Warwick and the proposed one a block away.

5. Pedestrian-focused hardscape on Developer's grounds including walkways, lighting, and trash/recycling.

6. Southmoreland Neighborhood Association to give review and input of new buildings / parking structures prior to submitting to the City.

7. Participation in Southmoreland Neighborhood Association's Security Patrol Program, which hires off-duty KCPD Officers to patrol the neighborhood.

Neighborhood leaders believe the development team has positive history given their successful redevelopment of the former Westport Junior High property. The Re-zoning request will next be heard by Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee. You can view staff report and plans here.

SNA Endorses Question 1

Approximately 75% of Southmorelanders are living in rental units - in both multi-family and single-family homes.  Since so many of our residents are renters, our board agrees that it is our duty to help advocate for renters, in addition to homeowners.  Question 1 will work to protect the health and safety of rental units throughout the city, by requiring all landlords to secure a permit for rental apartments and homes. It will allow the Health Department to conduct random interior inspections and respond to complaints about dangerous and unhealthy conditions like chipping lead paint and mold. Landlords who refuse to correct these conditions will be subject to fines and suspension or revocation of their permits.  Landlords who fail to get a permit may be prosecuted.  Read more about the Healthy Homes Initiative here. Read the ballot language here.  

Race events impact March 11-12 weekend traffic in Kansas City

Scheduled race events are expected to impact traffic in Kansas City this weekend. Road closures for the races are as follows:

March 11

Big 12 Run | 10 a.m.
The race will impact traffic along Grand Blvd., 8th St., Holmes St., Truman Rd., Woodland Ave., 18th St., Highland Ave., 17th Terr., The Paseo, 31st St., 30th St., McGee St., Gillham Rd., Oak St., and 9th St. Additional race information, including a map of the race, can be found online or by contacting Dave Borchardt at 816-701-9143.

Westport St. Patrick’s Day Run | 10 a.m.
The race will impact traffic along Westport Rd., Clark St., 43rd St., Warwick Blvd., 38th St., Gillham Rd., Linwood Blvd., Broadway, 34th St., Pennsylvania Ave. Additional race information, including a map of the race, can be found online or by contacting Nancy English at 913-710-8682.

March 12

Shamrock and Run | 8 a.m.
The race will impact traffic along N Eastern Rd., to just before NE 96th St. The race will be an out & back course beginning at Hodge Park. The 10k route will loop the course twice. Additional race information, including a map of the race, can be found online or by contacting Laura Williams at 816-695-5155.

Martin City Whiskey Run | 10 a.m.
The race will impact traffic along Oak St., Clark St., 135th St., Wyandotte St., and Washington St. Additional race information, including a map of the race, can be found online or by contacting Missy Wilson at 816-308-1023.

southmoreland.org 

Community Teens are invited to attend an evening event bringing together Youth and Law Enforcement

When: Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Where: Robert Mohart Center, 3200 Wayne Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109

Time: 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Registration and Refreshments (pizza & soda)

Program: 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Respond by April 12, 2017, to RSVP-KC@ic.fbi.gov

Community teens from both Missouri and Kansas are invited to attend a Youth and Law
Enforcement Forum. This event will provide both community teens and law enforcement the opportunity to talk openly about the challenges facing law enforcement and the teen
community. 

 
Teens will have the opportunity to sit down, ask questions and talk one-on-one with
representatives of law enforcement, including crime scene investigators, evidence response
team members, hostage negotiators, and cyber crime investigators. Attendees will also be able to see up close some of the capabilities law enforcement has and learn about possible career opportunities. 

 
The program is sponsored by the FBI in partnership with the United States Attorney’s Offices, Western District of Missouri and District of Kansas; the Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas Police Departments; and the FBI Citizens Academy Association. 

 
For more information, or if you have any questions, please email at RSVP-KC@ic.fbi.gov
All youth 13 or older are encouraged to attend (high school and college age). The goal of this
program is to continue to expand the dialogue between law enforcement and our communities’ youth, keeping in mind that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

southmoreland.org

City offices closed for Presidents’ Day

In observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday, City offices and 311 will be closed Monday, Feb. 20. Curbside trash collection will follow the holiday schedule this week.

Infrastructure repair plan approved by City Council; Residents will vote on April 4, 2017

The City Council on Thursday passed an ordinance placing an $800 million infrastructure repair plan on the April 4 ballot, seeking resident approval for a comprehensive capital improvements program. The program would use revenue created by issuing approximately $40 million in bonds each year for 20 years.

“We will repair existing infrastructure citywide and finally tackle maintenance that has been deferred for too long,” said City Manager Troy Schulte.

Residents will see three ballot questions, and each one must receive a “Yes” vote of at least 57.1 percent of voters to be approved.

Question #1 calls for approving the issuance of $600 million in bonds to repair streets, bridges and sidewalks. This would include trails, as well as create a city-funded sidewalk repair program that would eliminate homeowner assessments. Some $150 million would be dedicated to sidewalks.

Question #2 calls for approving the issuance of $150 million in bonds to improve flood control to prevent floodwaters from backing up into homes and businesses.

Question #3 calls for approving the issuance of $50 million in bonds to repair public buildings. This would include replacing the outdated animal shelter, in partnership with private fundraising, and renovating public buildings to satisfy federal ADA requirements.

A key feature of the plan calls for a complete change in the way the City repairs sidewalks. The bonds would create revenue to allow the City to pay for residential sidewalks repairs, rather than charging homeowners. The city would create a program to systematically evaluate, repair and replace sidewalks. The goal is to make it through two citywide cycles over 20 years.

The bonds would be repaid through a modest property tax increase. For a household with a $140,000 home and a $15,000 car, the property tax would average an additional $8 in the first year, rising to an $160 average additional payment in year 20, the final year of the bond program.

The Council also passed a companion resolution that outlines specifics of the process for prioritizing projects through the existing Citywide Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan, as well as the annual reporting requirements for the program. View a list of possible street and bridge projects submitted with the resolution.

Projects would be prioritized based on several factors, including those that: are shovel-ready, already in the current Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan, leverage grants or private resources, promote new development, improve public safety and/or address state or federal mandates.

For more information, please visit kcmo.gov/infrastructure.

City Manager, Mayor submit 2017-2018 budget to City Council; Focus on public safety obligations

Mayor Sly James and City Manager Troy Schulte on Thursday submitted to the City Council a fiscal year 2017-2018 budget that focuses on public safety as prioritized by residents through the Citizen Satisfaction Survey, and the City Council’s Five-year Citywide Business Plan.

The $1.59 billion submitted budget proposes increasing public safety expenditures by $19 million, or 4.6 percent over the current year. Public safety accounts for 76 percent of the General Fund operating budget.

“Public safety is fundamental to our city’s success, and a priority of our citizens,” said Mayor Sly James, “and we will continue to focus on innovative tactics for crime prevention in order to make Kansas City safer for all of us.”

The City of Kansas City, Missouri has a great deal of momentum, as measured by increasing citizen satisfaction with the city’s delivery of basic services, which is up 9.5 percentage points from four years ago. The City also shines with increasing population, national attention to successes such as the KC Streetcar, Smart City initiatives and growing economic development investments.

However, the increase in public safety spending outpaces revenue growth, which requires cuts in other spending.

“Fulfilling our public safety obligations comes at a cost,” said City Manager Troy Schulte, “The non-public safety portion of the budget will only maintain existing services with no significant increases in any other services or programs.”

As the City Council and residents consider the proposed budget, residents will also be studying the proposed $800 million infrastructure maintenance bond issue that is on the ballot April 4. Please note that the bond program is separate from this year’s Submitted Budget, which maintains annual infrastructure spending at current levels.

The entire proposed budget can be found at kcmo.gov/finance. This will include a line-item detail on funding recommendations for each of the City’s many departments and programs.

Residents are invited to provide feedback regarding the submitted budget by attending scheduled budget meetings or submitting feedback online through KCMOmentum, the city’s online town hall.

Council members will travel to three community locations for public hearings on the budget. Scheduled budget hearings are:

Saturday, February 18, 2017
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mohart Multipurpose Center
3200 Wayne Ave.

Saturday, February 25, 2017
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Woodneath Library
8900 NE Flintlock Rd.

Saturday, March 4, 2017
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Southeast Community Center
4201 E. 63rd St.

Additionally, public feedback will be accepted during City Council budget deliberations. These sessions take place at City Hall, 414 East 12th Street, in the tenth floor committee room:

March 1, 8, and 22
Wednesday’s at 8:30 a.m.
Finance & Governance Committee meeting

Nelson-Atkins Museum Files for MPD

On September 30th, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art ("NAMA") filed for a Master Plan District ("MPD") with the City.  If approved, an MPD would remove the current zoning of the area, and replace it with the MPD.  All subsequent changes to the MPD would be made administratively, or by review of the City Plan Commission, and City Council.  

After reviewing the filing, meeting with NAMA representatives to review the filing, and informing NAMA of our concerns, SNA board members submitted comments for consideration by KCMO Planning and Zoning as they evaluate the filing.

The letter from SNA to KCMO Planning and Zoning Department is below: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2tJ4onxLa_yR2Ixd3hqMVoxZWs/view?usp=sharing

The NAMA filing to KCMO Planning and Zoning Department is below: 

http://www.nelson-atkins.org/about-us/master-plan-district/?utm_source=NA&utm_medium=HP&utm_content=update10.3&utm_campaign=CMP

Main Street Ped Count Time

Are you or someone you know looking for a way to give back to Midtown KC and get paid?!

Main St is conducting our annual pedestrian count this month and we need (paid) volunteers to help us!

Dates:  October 12th & 13th
             October 19th & 20th

Hours: 8am – 7pm

You must work the full shift and attend the mandatory training in advance of your assignment on Monday, October 10th @ 5:30 pm MainCor’s office.

You do not have to work all the days but we certainly welcome that, even one day will be helpful!

We will train you, get you fed and of course provide you bathroom breaks!

Please let Stan Henry know your interest ASAP stanhenry@mainstcid.org or call 816-868-7839

City program helps residents better connect with their government

Register for Community Engagement University City program helps residents better connect with their government Curious about how the City of Kansas City, Mo., government works? Want to learn from City staff how to improve your community? Sign up for Community Engagement University: a free program designed to connect residents with government to build a better Kansas City.  Community Engagement University is a free, hands-on, interactive program for Kansas City residents 18 years of age and older. The sessions cover basic knowledge of the City’s functions and operations. The eight-week program begins on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at City Hall, 414 E. 12th St. Community Engagement University sessions will continue for seven additional Tuesdays. Residents must register to participate by enrolling online at kcmo.gov/ceu or by calling 816-513-1313. Registration for the fall 2016 sessions opens on Aug. 29 at 9 a.m., but space is limited. If you miss the cutoff, go ahead and complete the registration so your name can be added to the waiting list. WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE UNIVERSITY? Gain a better understanding of how local government functions Participate and interact with knowledgeable staff to better learn and understand how City finances, operations, projects and services are developed, distributed and executed Serve as role model for community and neighborhood residents Help improve the quality of life for Kansas City residents Build a livable, sustainable community Learn about volunteer opportunities in city government SESSIONS Local Government 101 We Keep this City Clean We Keep This City Safe Dollars and Sense We Keep This City Healthy and Active We Build and Improve This City We Are in Your Neighborhood Part I We Are in Your Neighborhood Part II For more information, contact 311 at 816-513-1313, ceu@kcmo.org or Javon Davis, City Manager’s Office, at 816-513-3605 or Javon.Davis@kcmo.org.

Road Closure On Rockhill

News from the Nelson-Atkins:

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is achieving another key milestone in the Bloch Galleries renovation project with the installation of a new rooftop air handling unit. On Monday, June 13, the museum will place this unit on the eastern portion of the roof of the Nelson Building via crane hoist from Rockhill Road. During this time, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the southbound lane of Rockhill Road will be closed to accommodate the crane. The northbound lane will remain unaffected.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue this major project. As a reminder, we will open these new galleries in March 2017 and look forward to seeing you at the museum.

City Hall and 311 closed Monday

In observance of Memorial Day, City offices and 311 will be closed Monday, May 30, 2016. In addition, residents who usually have Monday trash collection will receive this service on Tuesday, May 31. Residents who usually have Friday trash collection will receive this service Saturday, June 4.

Spring 2016 Southmoreland Voice

We have created our Spring 2016 Southmoreland Newsletter! You probably saw it delivered to your door, but if not, you can grab a copy here.

Spring 2016 Southmoreland Voice

Have a Happy Spring!

Apply now to request Home Repair Program funding!

The City of Kansas City, Missouri is now accepting applications Home Repair Programs, which include the Targeted Home Repair Program, the City Home Repair Program and the Paint Program. The programs assist homeowners with repairs such as roof replacement, plumbing, electrical, barrier removal, and other health and safety improvements. 

Program requirements include: applicants are owner-occupants, own only one single-family property, have not received assistance from this program within the past five years, and meet the household income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Applications will be accepted starting May 1, 2016 continuing until September 31, 2016, or until funds are committed.

Application forms for this program are available online by visiting http://kcmo.gov/neighborhoods/grants-and-assistance/ and clicking “Home Repair” tab. Applications may also be requested at the Neighborhoods and Housing Services Department, Housing Section on the 4th floor of City Hall, 414 E. 12th St., or by calling 816-513-3025.

The Community Development Block Grant, established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, funds these programs. With this grant the Housing Section estimates that at least 275 homeowners will be assisted in 2016-17 program year.

America’s PrepareAthon! 2016

Each year, emergencies and natural disasters test our readiness and challenge our resolve.  However, with careful planning and preparedness you can significantly improve you and your family’s chances for staying safe in an emergency.

During April and May 2016, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and USDA invite you to participate in America’s PrepareAthon! to better prepare for emergencies that could strike in our communities.  This year’s PrepareAthon! highlights flood, tornado, and wildfire preparedness along with awareness for hurricanes and extreme heat.  On Saturday, April 30, 2016, individuals and communities are encouraged to participate in the National Day of Action by building a disaster supply kit, practicing their family communication plans, and talking with neighbors about preparedness.
    
For information on the PrepareAthon! go to FEMA’s website: https://www.ready.gov/prepare

For information on how to build a disaster supply kit go to FEMA’s website: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
          
Later this year, in September, we will continue to encourage preparedness by highlighting readiness procedures and by testing and exercising of emergency plans during National Preparedness Month.  While we formally recognize preparedness in April and September, we urge all employees to remain current in their preparedness plans.  Let us honor the strength we show in times of adversity by preparing ourselves, our neighbors, our schools, and our workplaces before disaster strikes.

Kansas City Streetcar grand opening celebration!

Public invited to street parties to celebrate the opening of the KC Streetcar May 6 & 7

The City of Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City Streetcar Authority invite the public to celebrate the start of KC Streetcar operations while visiting downtown Kansas City neighborhoods to witness the transformative effect the streetcar is having on our city. The public celebration starts at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 6, outside of Union Station with a grand opening ceremony featuring Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Federal Transit Administration members, Kansas City Streetcar Authority Chairman Mike Hagedorn and other local dignitaries and elected officials.  The ceremony will be followed by an inaugural first ride for those dignitaries and the opening of public streetcar service and community-wide parties and activities. Mayor Sly James said the grand opening of the KC Streetcar is more than a celebration of a new transit option for Kansas Citians.  “This is the first step of what I believe will be a truly historic transformation of the entire city,” James said. “Building owners and developers have completed, started or announced more than $1.7 billion in construction in the downtown KC Streetcar district since the route was announced. I’m confident the entire city will find new momentum as the KC Streetcar energizes the heart of our community.” The KC Streetcar grand opening ceremony kicks off a weekend long celebration along the entire two-mile streetcar route. Many special streetcar-related events are planned in downtown Kansas City, in conjunction with other festivities such as First Friday (and Saturday this time) in the Crossroads Arts District, a family-friendly festival with carnival rides at Union Station, fireworks both Friday and Saturday nights from Liberty Memorial, Smart City Village in the downtown business district, Middle of the Map Fest in the KC Power & Light District, movie in the park in the City Market, and a busy spring weekend in the River Market. The public is encouraged to enjoy and explore the many restaurants, boutique shops and other retail business along the streetcar route. There will also be a stationary streetcar parked at Union Station near Pershing Road for your chance to take a selfie with the streetcar. For complete information about KC Streetcar grand opening activities, including transit options and parking, please go to www.timetoridekc.org.  An endeavor of this magnitude would not be possible without the involvement and support of so many partners”, said Tom Gerend, executive director of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority. “For a project to go from the drawing board to completion in this timeframe is record setting and only possible with the strong and visionary leadership from the City of Kansas City, and tremendous support from the Federal Transit Administration, the KC Area Transportation Authority, downtown businesses, our contract operator, Herzog Transit, and many others. This milestone represents years of effort by many and a new and exciting era for the region’s RideKC public transit partnership.” Many thanks to the Grand Opening Celebration sponsors: The City of Kansas City, Missouri, The Kansas City Streetcar Authority, KC Streetcar Constructors, Sprint, CAF, UMB, HDR, Burns & McDonnell, KCATA, Port KC, Lewis Rice, Dimensional Innovations, KCP&L, SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit, BNIM, Commerce Tower on Main, Central States, J. Reiger Co, Boulevard Brewing Company,  HINT, HNTB, Thomas McGee, LTK, Centric Projects, Sprint Center, Commerce Bank, JE Dunn, Jackson County, Mark One Electric and the KC Chamber of Commerce. The KC Streetcar grand opening celebration planning team was led by the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and O'Neill Marketing & Events Management, with assistance from many City of Kansas City departments, including Public Works, Kansas City Police Department, Kansas City Fire Department, and the City Manager’s Office. We’d also like to thank our downtown partners including the Downtown Council, the City Market, Union Station, Kansas City Power & Light District, Visit KC, KC Crossroads Community Association, and the River Market neighborhood association. Celebration Information: Watch the ceremony in front of Union Station. Then enjoy activities in all downtown neighborhoods along the route. Please do not expect to ride the streetcar’s entire route continuously. Plan to exit at stops along the way to explore neighborhood activities. Transportation & Parking: FREE RideKC bus service is being offered on all local, express and shuttle service that connects to downtown. There will also be additional RideKC Max bus service on Main Street the weekend of May 6 & 7. Main Street between 20th and Pershing Road will be closed to traffic. Union Station parking and Crown Center parking via Grand Blvd. will remain accessible. A full map of local parking locations is posted onwww.timetoridekc.org Main Street north of 20th will remain open to traffic, however, no street parking will be allowed on Main Street or on the south side of 5th Street between Main and Walnut on May 6 & 7.  Streetcar information: The KC Streetcar will operate seven days a week, with service running from 6 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Thursdays; 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays; 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays, and it is free to ride.