Remember the South Loop Project? Well, after a relatively quiet year of behind-the-scenes work, the city revealed some pretty major progress last week: contractor approval, pre-construction services... oh, and a $31.4 million award from MoDOT.

The historic investment is the largest ever for the department's Cost Share Program, which matched the city's $31.4 million contribution towards revamping the interstate's aging infrastructure.

Now that you're caught up, let's give a quick refresher on the ~$217 million South Loop Project details.

Your need-to-know info

It's a sustainable urban park over I-670.
The collaborative effort is led by City of KCMO, Port KC, and the Downtown Council.
The destination will include features like accessible play spaces, public entertainment forums, and multimodal transportation options.

Dive into the design

The South Loop spans ~five acres in Kansas City's downtown area. As seen above, the development would help connect the community and create a more walkable experience for residents and visitors alike. The project is inspired by nature, using references and inspiration from Missouri's parks + wildlife.

We're already picturing picnics at the South Loop. | Rendering via South Loop Project

Project leaders created this community-oriented vision using community input. Kansas Citians weighed in on the project via surveys earlier this year, identifying their deepest desires. Categories with the highest votes included the need for a community front yard for downtown, a refuge in the city, and a place for cultural + civic events.

A look at a possible playground design concept for your kiddos. | Renderings via South Loop Project

Project elements that will encapsulate those needs include:

Refuge (Wyandotte Street to Baltimore Avenue)
Children and family (Baltimore Avenue to Main Street)
Community (Closest to T-Mobile Center)

What kind of food hall spots are you hoping to see pop up? | Renderings via South Loop Project

Each section will have its own amenities and purposes. For example, the "children and family" block will include a playground, while the "community" block will feature a food hall and pavilion for entertainment.

Following a fourth and final public meeting on the project, construction is expected to kick off in early 2025 — and while original plans called for a pre-World Cup 2026 completion, that goal grows less likely by the day. Any ongoing construction will be placed on temporary hold by May 2026 until the tournament wraps its local festivities.