Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

From the Paseo to Woodland Avenue, a re-evisioned 18th Street corridor has reopened to traffic, offering better and safer access for visitors to Kansas City’s Historic Jazz District.

To mark the completion of this latest project, a Grand Opening ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 27, filling the just-completed pedestrian area with classic vintage cars, historical fashions, jazz musicians and access to the museums and restored theaters which line 18th Street.

Construction of this 18th Street Pedestrian Mall began in June 2025 and was funded through $4 million in federal funding allocated by Fifth District U.S. Congressman Emannuel Cleaver II and $2 million in funding through City Council as Phase 2 of the “Revive the Vine” initiative.

As designed by Taliferro & Brown and constructed by Gunter Construction, streetscape improvements removed barriers such as gutters, curbs and parking space to create a seamless corridor for pedestrians, highlighted by shade trees, bushes and flowers, street and sidewalk lighting and seating. ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant ramps with truncated domes were built at each intersection and vehicle traffic was narrowed to two lanes.

Medallions along the American Jazz Walk of Fame, featuring Count Basie, Charlie “Bird” Parker and more,  were removed during construction, refurbished, and replaced.

A series of pop-up bollards, located at each end of this three-block pedestrian mall, can be activated to close the street at The Paseo and at Woodland Avenue for festivals and other events.

Guest speakers at the event represented the many levels of planning instrumental with completing this phase of continued improvements. Remarks led by Mayor Quinton Lucas focused on the completion of several projects in recent weeks and the number of ribbon-cuttings taking place just within the Third District, joking that the city might run out of ribbon to cut.

Additional speakers included, in order of appearance, Melissa Robinson (Third District City Council), Melissa Patterson Hazley (City Council Third District-at-Large), City Manager Mario Vazquez, Director of Public Works Michael Shaw, Leonard Graham (Taliaferro & Brown), Dr. Carmaletta Williams (President, Black Archives of Mid-America), Stephenie Smith (Board Chair, American Jazz Museum), James McGee Sr. (Mutual Musicians Foundation), Bob Kendrick (President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum), and U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II.

In his remarks, Congressman Cleaver echoed remarks of those before him about saving the legacy of an area known as the birthplace of jazz, not just locally, but around the world.

With these efforts, he said, “We let our children know we kept this district alive.”

“This is just the beginning of the rest of it (completed projects),” said Cleaver. “All these young men and women are adding to what we’re doing. It’s going to be a great experience for us, our children, and even their children.”

In February, the American Jazz Museum (1616 E. 18th St.) announced nearly $4 million in funding allocated for restoration and enhancements of this 29-year-old museum. This funding will relocate the Blue Room performance space to accommodate 180-200 guests,  create a new café and expanded retail area, reorganize exhibit spaces, including a new changing gallery and improve back-of-house operations for greater efficiency.

Local musicians will also benefit from this restoration effort with improved sound, acoustics and lighting in the Blue Room, accommodating larger audiences and a new dining menu.

While the new pedestrian mall removed parking along 18th Street, a just-completed parking garage at 18th St and Lydia Avenue will provide 470 spaces of convenient parking for visitors.The Jazz District Garage (1819 Lydia) opened on May 22. Construction of this $20 million project began last June to coincide with the completion of the pedestrian mall. Daily garage rates are $5.00, event parking is $10.00 and monthly passes are $65.00.

After years of vacancy, the historic Boone Theater (1701 E. 18th St.) has been restored and a Grand Opening was held on May 1. In addition to hosting private events, this 1924 theater will also be the home of the Black Movie Hall of Fame.

Other points of interest along or near the pedestrian mall include the Gem Theatre (1615 E. 18th St.), Black Archives of Mid-America (1722 E. 17th St.), Urban Youth Academy (1622 E. 17th Terrace), Gregg-Klice Community Center  (1600 E. 17th Terrace), coffee shops, nightclubs, and a brewery.

Construction of The Parker will bring 48 multi-family housing units and first floor commercial spaces. Located adjacent to the Jazz District Garage, the groundbreaking was held on May 5.

As a final phase, improvements are planned for The Paseo, from Truman Rd. to 18th Street.

Photos by Dorri Partain