The West Bottoms is an eclectic neighborhood of artists, antique stores, food, drink, and entertainment. While many buildings sit empty and abandoned, several plans are seeking to pump up the area as a place to live, work, and play.

22-acre micro-village

Real estate investment firm SomeraRoad wants to redevelop a large swath of the neighborhood north of 12th Street. City Council approved the $500 million preliminary plan, which includes building ~1,250 new apartments, retail, and public spaces over the next decade.

The plan will mostly affect the area north of the 12th Street viaduct. | Photo by KCtoday

The first phase begins with razing the Weld Wheel Building (933 Mulberry St.), which could start this summer. KCMO leaders pledged $2 million to the demolition, which will prepare the site for a five-story apartment building.

Additionally, the Moline Plow Company Building (1015 Mulberry St.) and others along Union Avenue will become mixed-use apartments. The Avery "Poe" Building (1100 Santa Fe St.) will become a 50-room hotel, and a public square will replace a nearby parking lot.

Phase 1 covers the most land as shown in this map. Phases 2-5 will follow in the years to come.

Here's the area of the micro-village. | Photo via public records (SomeraRoad and HOK).

Other apartment projects

The second phase of the West Bottom Flats (1501 W. 9th St.) is scheduled to deliver 94 apartments come August — that's in addition to the 265 already available. The same developer also just won tax incentives on redeveloping the Midwest Building (911 Wyoming St.) into 77 reduced-price apartments + retail.

More housing is underway in the Stockyards District. The Yards II will be a four-story, 224-unit complex along the Kansas River (northwest of the Hy-Vee Arena on the Kansas side).

Rock Island Bridge

Oh, and next to The Yards? That's where the Rock Island Bridge project just kicked off construction. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced a $4 million state grant — the largest source of public funding for the project to date. Leaders hope to open next year.