Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

As construction proceeds on the final section that will link KC Streetcar from the riverfront to UMKC, plans were announced on Saturday, Nov. 22 for the construction of a passenger pavilion featuring a sculptural canopy, lighting and amenities.

In partnership with Port KC, CPKC, and the KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA), this $5 million pavilion is designed to be the new “front door” to Berkeley Riverfront, CPKC Stadium — home of KC Current women’s soccer—- and future development. Provided renderings by Burns & McDonnell feature a wide, artistic metal canopy and ten vertical beacons of light to symbolize Kansas City’s deep connection with the Missouri River which flows through and has shaped its history.

Representatives from each partner in this project spoke about the long process to reclaim Kansas City’s riverfront, from an industrial site and dumping ground, to a welcoming setting that provides recreation, transportation, housing and business opportunities.

Jon Stephens, president and CEO for Port KC, which hosted  this press conference inside its office at 110 Berkeley Plaza, stated that the completion of the Riverfront streetcar extension, along with the CPKC Pavilion will “celebrate the next great milestone” in development of Kansas City’s riverfront. With 1500 housing units currently available, projects under construction will raise available housing to 5000 in the coming year.

KCSA executive director Tom Gerend shared that this streetcar’s riverfront extension was 98 percent complete and set to open to riders in early 2026. While the end of the line streetcar station was planned to be basic, with two shelters for waiting passengers, this newly designed pavilion was exactly what was needed to make the Berkeley Riverfront stop a destination of its own.

From the CPKC Pavilion, streetcar passengers have a short walk to The Union apartments, Origin Hotel, Two Birds One Stone beer garden, CPKC Stadium, and housing currently under construction.

Chad Becker, Chief of Staff for Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroad (CPKC) spoke about the partnership with KC Current through CPKC Stadium, and now the KC Streetcar, which will provide an additional transportation option for women’s soccer fans, with the hope that the CPKC Pavilion will provide that “sense of community that Kansas City offers.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas stated that reclamation of this city’s riverfront was due to the visionaries that preceded him in office.

“We are reclaiming our riverfront in a way that we have not done since this city was founded,” said Lucas. “Thousands of people coming here to live, thousands -tens of thousands- coming here for entertainment and this is becoming an area that you can not miss when you will be in Kansas City.”

Former Kansas City mayor and current United States House of Representatives Legislator Emmanuel Cleaver II, who through legislation provided the majority of funding for Kansas City’s streetcar line construction, echoed Lucas’ statement about the vision and the years of planning to make the riverfront area to what it is today.

Construction for the CPKC Pavilion will begin soon as final touches are completed for the riverfront streetcar extension, which will open to riders before the pavilion construction is completed.