Berkley Riverfront mixed-use development stirs excitement from city leaders, visitors
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Wednesday, Kansas City’s Riverfront began a new transformation as ground was officially broken on the Berkley Riverfront District, right next to CPKC Stadium, home of the KC Current.
Construction crews have been working on the site since December 2024, preparing the site to start building up.
“Who would have ever thought that this branch of the Riverfront would be full of development?” asked Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Wednesday’s groundbreaking is the start of a $200 million phase and will work on building 429 multifamily homes, 48,000 square feet of retail, and 2+ acres of Riverfront gathering space – including a new town square and a Riverfront promenade.
“What you’re going to see right behind us between where we’re standing and CPKC stadium is the first phase of a neighborhood, explained Jon Stephens, President and CEO of Port KC, “it will be mostly restaurant, retail, very walkable, roads connecting everything.”
There will also be a big focus on local chefs and restauranteurs, with plans for the district to become the new culinary epicenter of the region.
Project and city leaders believe this project returns Kansas City to its roots – a city founded on its riverfront, embracing the water once again.
“It’s going to bring a lot of life and a lot of business, a lot more money to this area,” said Tom Prochaska, a KC visitor.
Prochaska is from South of Minneapolis, but he and his wife visit Kansas City several times a year.
He said he’s been coming to the Riverfront before it was developed and considered a waste site.
KCTV5 showed Prochaska the new renderings of the Riverfront District, he said he’s amazed by what’s being done.
“It’s going to be a happening place over here,” he said.
He said projects like these get him excited to keep coming back to Kansas City and extend their stay.
“Kansas City here I come, I love it and we’re certainly going to come back,” he said with a big smile.
Port KC said they are aiming for a 2026 completion date.
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