By Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
August 6, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – More construction has begun near the City Market area.

On July 24, the Kansas City Streetcar Constructors started construction work on the Singleton Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The facility is located in Columbus Park, at the intersection of Third and Holmes Street. The facility is named after E. Crichton “Kite” Singleton, a longtime public transit advocate.

The cost of the two-story, 24,982-square-foot station is estimated at around $10 million. Meghan Jansen, a spokeswoman for KC Streetcar Constructors, said the upper level will house streetcar administration while the first floor is dedicated to vehicle service, repair and maintenance for the streetcar trolleys.

The project, which should be LEED Gold certified when complete, is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015. Construction crews will be completing foundation work over the next six to eight weeks. Jansen said if everything goes according to plan, there should be a structure by winter.

“Imagine it as a streetcar Jiffy Lube,” Jansen said.

She added the city chose the location in Columbus Park because of its unique location. Streetcars will be able to roll into the service station under the Heart of America Bridge.

“There’s been lots of communication with surrounding businesses but it is a low impact area,” Jansen said.

Along with the facility construction, work continues on the streetcar lines in the River Market area. Jansen said everything is on schedule and work is currently being done on utility lines and should continue for the next six weeks.

“The first tracks should be laid at Union Station this week,” Jansen said.

Along with the first tracks, Jansen said she’s excited about the smartphone application that’s soon to be released that encourages people to shop and eat at businesses affected by construction routes. There is no cost to download the app. Construction of the line is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2015.

“We need to continually support businesses that are stationed along the streetcar construction route,” Jansen said.