Transformative projects coming to 18th & Vine

NEWS RELEASE

A redevelopment agreement for the historic Boone Theater in the 18th and Vine District is being discussed today during the City Council's Neighborhood Planning and Development committee meeting at City Hall.

Check out the discussion being broadcast live on Channel 2.

Plans for the Boone Theater, 1701 E 18th St., include a co-working space and an outdoor event space on vacant land to the east. The Boone Theater opened as The New Rialto Theater in 1924. Along with the Eblon, Lincoln and Gem Theaters, it served as a vital core to the commercial and entertainment center created by the African American community in the 18th and Vine District.

Developing this historic area, which sits in the 3rd City Council District, provides the City with real opportunities to build economic activity for the Eastside while enhancing mobility for our residents, said 3rd District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson.Fifteen projects are in various stages of revitalization across the 18th and Vine area. The list can be found below, and a map of all projects is available here.

"I am proud to see continued investments in the Historic 18th and VIne District -- one that I proudly lived in and represented on the City Council for years," Mayor Quinton Lucas said. "I applaud Councilwoman Robinson for her hard work on these projects and look forward to this historic district's continued growth and prosperity."

"Elevating City investments at 18th and Vine demonstrates equity in action," Robinson said. "It is strategically wise to remediate blight in historical neighborhoods with unparalleled tourism appeal. I look forward to partnering with the development team to restore the Boone Theater to a vibrant and enjoyable space for residents and visitors."

"18th and Vine is the top redevelopment priority for our team right now," said City Manager Brian Platt. "This district will be the foundation of building economic vitality and vibrancy across the east side of Kansas City, bringing new jobs, new activity and entertainment, more housing, and more opportunities."

Recent City investments have sparked multiple private projects and proposals. Check out the interactive map that shows locations and information for these projects that are in various stages of revitalization across the 18th and Vine area. Those projects include:

• Privately-Owned Property Redevelopment:
• • 2000 Vine - This project recently broke ground on phase one, which is expected to open later this year. The overall project includes the redevelopment of the two 10,000 square foot historic buildings. The historic City Water and Public Works buildings, built in 1866, will be converted to retail and restaurant use. Plans also include the city's first Black-owned brewery.
  • Attucks School at 19th and Woodland - Zhou-B Art Center (1818 E. 19th Street) - The $20 million redevelopment plan calls for the building to be renovated into 43 artist studios and seven gallery and event spaces, including a rooftop deck with views of downtown and a welcoming new entrance.
  • Parade Park Neighborhood - Generally bounded by Truman Road on the North, E. 18th on the South, Woodland on the West, and Brooklyn to the East. This project contemplates future mixed income housing that has received nearly $1.86 million in CDBG/HOME dollars and $905,000 in CCED funds for a four-phase master development plan.
  • Wheatly-Provident Hospital (1826 Forest) - This project involves an $8.4 million historic rehabilitation of the City's first privately owned Black hospital, built in 1903. The developer has proposed an adaptive reuse of the property for commercial purposes including healthcare, health tech, life sciences, and/or research and development tenants.
  • One Nine Vine - Phase 1 & 2 (1900 Vine, 1903 and 1931 Paseo) - This proposed $68 million redevelopment would include six-stories of multifamily new construction, comprised of 80 market - rate and affordable units, 17,550 square feet of neighborhood retail, 138 additional parking spaces.
  • Paseo YMCA - Future Buck O'Neil Research Center
  • Keystone Innovation District - Future mixed-use office/tech
  • 21 Flora & 21 Vine - Proposed live-work townhomes

City-Owned Property Redevelopment:

• 18th and Garfield (2010 E. 18th Street) - The City has received multiple inquiries from potential developers for this property and plans to issue an RFP soon.
• 18th & Lydia and 3 parcels along 18th Street (1819 and 1831 Lydia; 1801 Grove; 1800-1802 Paseo) - The City has issued an RFP for new residential and/or commercial or mixed-use construction and is reviewing responses.
• 18th & Agnes - The City has issued an RFP for new residential and/or commercial or mixed-use construction and is reviewing responses for this as well.

In addition, other recently completed projects include:

• Pathway Financial Education Center (1520 E. 18th Street) - This non-profit organization opened its new headquarters in the 18th and Vine District in April 2021. Pathway provides financial training and education to small business owners and individuals.
• Kansas City Urban Youth Academy - This completed project invested $14 million in the District through a partnership between the KC Royals, the Missouri Development Finance Board, the City of Kansas City, and the Boys & Girls Club. The academy opened in 2018 as a state-of-the-art baseball, softball and education facility using professional baseball instruction to give e urban youth educational training and career opportunities. The city provided $2 million in PIAC funds while the state provided $4 million in tax credits.

The City has invested about $2 million streetscape improvements within the District since 2018 and is finalizing additional infrastructure improvements in the District and surrounding neighborhoods. Congressman Cleaver has requested $6 million in federal funding for a pedestrian plaza and gateway to the District, with community feedback and visioning sessions being planned now.

Media can contact Maggie Green, Media Relations Manager, at 816-379-6562.

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