KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City's riverfront could look a lot different in the coming years as Port KC is in talks with a local developer that could lead to the construction of two, 10-story towers.
In a letter sent Monday to the Port KC Board of Commissioners, Joe Perry, Port KC’s vice president of development, spoke of several pending projects along the Berkley Riverfront.
Of the projects, Perry wrote that a proposal to build two, 10-story buildings with a three-story parking garage would represent “the highest-density plan yet seen on the Riverfront.”
Officials at the agency are working with the developer on a purchase and sale agreement and a development agreement for the site, which would be located north of Berkley Parkway and across from the Berkley Riverfront Apartments.
It's a development that has many in the neighborhood talking.
"The mixed use nature of what they’re planning on the riverfront is really great because it allows people to find jobs and housing and destinations all in the same area," Matt Staub, vice president of the River Market Community Association, said.
Staub believes more is better when it comes to new buildings and attractions in the area.
"Here in the River Market, we’re always excited about more neighbors; That’s more housing options for people to choose from; That’s more people who couldn’t walk or use transit and use bikes to get to our destination; It’s more people to support our restaurants our bars and our amenities," Staub said.
The thought of more buildings along the riverfront bring out a mix of reaction.
"I think it would be great for the riverfront," Jim Dunard, a resident at the nearby Union Apartments, said. "This is big enough park that everyone can come out here and enjoy their family and their pets and things like that and where they’re proposing I think is a great location."
"I think it might be too much for this area," Mike Landtiser, who visits the area everyday, said. "It seems like it would be a lot of crowding. Right now seems to be pretty good."
Since there's little information on this project, there's no indication of a price tag or a timeline on when the project will begin.
