Northeast News
April 29, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Kansas City’s Union Station is about to embark on one of its most significant expansion projects to both the station and Science City since 1999.

According to a press release, a recent gift of around $360,000 from the Bloch Family Foundation puts the project within close completion funding.

The $7.5 million expansion will modernize the streetscape that welcomes visitors in the front of the station and provide a bridge to transport drivers and pedestrians to the existing parking garage on the north end of the property. Additionally, an extension of Science City to the west will feature an outdoor events plaza for interactive exhibits and community-based events.

In January, Union Station invited firms to compete for this historic development project. After a rigorous review process, the board selected Burns & McDonnell to provide a team that would tackle every aspect of the project including architecture, engineering and construction.

The project – launched with $2.25 million in tax credit support from the Missouri Development Finance Board – has gained significant momentum since early 2014. Some of the largest donors include the Hall Family Foundation, who’ve provided a lead gift of over $4 million. The Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation also continued their commitment to Union Station with a $250,000 gift to help construct an educational Space Portal as part of the expansion.

In the press release, George Guastello, president and CEO Union Station, said the station is on a roll and the community is embracing the change.

“Last year Kansas City celebrated 100 years of Station history,” Guastello said. “This year, the support continues against a backdrop of a bold, new vision for the next 100 years. The generous Bloch Family Foundation gift allows us to proceed with very visible next steps. The first shovel of dirt turned later this year will once again make history with our demonstrated and expanding commitment to preserving history, celebrating community and educating our next generations in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math.”