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🏗 West Bottoms Expansion, 🚌 World Cup Transit Network, 🏟 18th & Vine Summer Activation
Published 5 days ago • 10 min read
Kansas City’s metro continues to move fast with major developments, policy shifts, and World Cup preparations shaping what’s next for the region.
This edition, we’re checking out:
• New development activity expanding in the West Bottoms as another historic building changes hands. • KC2026 rolling out official World Cup transportation options across key city hubs. • A nationwide retail shutdown impacting multiple Kansas City-area locations. • Major 18th and Vine summer programming tied to the World Cup. • A temporary pause on new data center projects in Jackson County. • A major security and layout upgrade at Kansas City International Airport (KCI) ahead of peak travel.
From redevelopment to global event readiness, Kansas City is entering a highly active stretch across the metro.
Molzer Development has closed on the 1905 Advanced Thresher Building in Kansas City's West Bottoms, marking the company's third acquisition. Developer Zach Molzer, who led the $38 million Aladdin Hotel conversion downtown, says the team is entering the West Bottoms as the neighborhood continues to grow into one of KC's cultural hubs.
🚌 KC2026 JUST ANNOUNCED WORLD CUP BUS PRICES FOR GETTING AROUND THIS SUMMER KC2026 unveiled ConnectKC26, a dedicated bus network linking Arrowhead Stadium, KCI Airport, and the FIFA Fan Festival for the World Cup. The Airport Direct shuttle is free, running between KCI and downtown every 15 minutes with a drop-off at 27th and Main, two blocks from the Fan Festival. Stadium Direct runs $15 per person round trip on match days. Regional passes go from $5 for a day pass up to $50 for the full tournament.
🚪 PAINTED TREE IS SHUTTING DOWN ALL 42+ LOCATIONS Painted Tree notified vendors on April 14 that it was ceasing operations immediately, closing more than 42 boutique marketplace locations nationwide. The company cited rising costs, shifting market conditions, and changing consumer habits as reasons for the sudden shutdown. Vendors at the Overland Park and Kansas City stores have until April 24 to retrieve their inventory, with staff available 10am to 6pm. The Overland Park location alone had more than 100 vendor booths.
⚽ 18TH AND VINE IS GOING ALL-IN FOR THE WORLD CUP THIS SUMMER The historic 18th and Vine Jazz District is launching "18th and Vine Alive," a full-summer World Cup activation kicking off June 11 at 2000 Vine. Official watch parties are planned for all three KC matches: June 16 (Argentina vs. Algeria), June 25 (Netherlands vs. Tunisia), and the July 11 quarterfinal. At least 17 district businesses are involved, and the new 18th Street pedestrian mall is on track to open by June 1.
⏸️ JACKSON COUNTY IS HITTING PAUSE ON NEW DATA CENTER PROJECTS Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith has introduced a 120-day moratorium on new data center land use applications in unincorporated parts of the county. The pause is meant to give lawmakers time to update county codes before any new projects come in, including expanding the neighbor notification radius from its current 250 feet. The moratorium does not affect the Nebius data center already underway in Independence. The ordinance is expected to go before committee within the next couple of weeks.
✈️ KCI JUST OVERHAULED ITS SECURITY CHECKPOINT AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP Kansas City International Airport has consolidated its security from two entry points on opposite ends of the terminal into a single central checkpoint near the check-in hall. The $39 million, 18-month project puts the general boarding lane, TSA PreCheck, TSA touchless ID, and ADA lanes all in one spot. Airport officials say the new layout, which mirrors the flow of a soccer field, will reduce wait times and handle the larger crowds expected this summer.
What you might have missed last week
A social bathhouse is coming to the East Crossroads… and this isn’t your typical sauna setup.
Red Bull Dance Your Style is returning to Kansas City for the 2026 season, bringing a high-energy, all-style street dance competition to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on April 25.
Kansas City is rolling out one of its biggest summer events at the FIFA Fan Festival™ tied to the 2026 World Cup, featuring major headliners like The Chainsmokers, Flo Rida, and Tech N9ne, and alongside nearly 40 additional performers over 18 days in June and July.
🏢 DEVELOPMENT SCENE
$430M Crossroads Project Expands with Hotel, Offices, and High-Rise Living
A $430+ million mixed-use development is planned near 16th and Broadway in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, where EPC Real Estate Group and developer Dan Carr aim to transform over four acres into a dense, walkable district. The first phase features a 33-story apartment tower, tentatively called Encore on Broadway, with 392 luxury units, retail space, and high-end amenities, with potential groundbreaking as early as late 2026 and a 2029 opening. Future phases include a 282-room full-service hotel with a rooftop lounge and an 11-story office building, all designed to complement the nearby Kauffman Center and bring more activity to the area.
The project is still under review as the Port Authority considers long-term tax incentives, particularly for the residential phase, which has raised questions around public benefits and transparency. If approved, developers plan to move forward with overlapping construction timelines and complete all three phases by 2030, positioning the development as a major addition to Kansas City’s urban core.
📌 Friday, April 17
Clutch: Suffer No Evil US Tour w/ Corrosion of Conformity @ VooDoo at Harrah's Kansas City | Rock/Metal | 7:30 PM | INFO
Satori & The Midland Band @ Knuckleheads Saloon (Indoor Stage) | Blues/Soul | 8:00 PM | INFO
Arkansauce w/ The Village Prairie @ recordBar | Jam/Bluegrass | 7:00 PM | INFO
Alyssa Edwards – Thanks For Everything Tour 2026 @ Uptown Theater | Pop/Cabaret | 8:00 PM | INFO
Kansas City Symphony: Farrenc, Schumann & Dvorak (cond. Louis Langrée; vln. Stefan Jackiw) @ Helzberg Hall – Kauffman Center | Classical | 8:00 PM | INFO
Stephen Wilson Jr. @ The Midland Theatre | Country/Americana | 8:00 PM | INFO
The Talking Trees w/ Lovely Idea & Dutchgirl @ The RINO | Indie Rock | 8:00 PM (doors 7 PM) | INFO
Hank Azaria & The EZ Street Band (Springsteen tribute) @ Ameristar Casino – Star Pavilion | Rock/Tribute | 8:30 PM (doors 7:30 PM) | INFO
MDC Stoner Doom Festival II – Day 1: High Desert Queen, They Watch Us From The Moon, Cobranoid, Black Sunrise, Gran Moreno @ The Bottleneck, Lawrence KS | Stoner/Doom Metal | 7:00 PM (doors 6 PM) | INFO
Tim Whitmer Good Time Quintet @ Black Dolphin | Jazz | 6:30 PM* | INFO
📌 Saturday, April 18
Gatecreeper w/ Eternal, Dying Remains & Tombseeker @ recordBar | Death Metal | 8:00 PM | INFO
Kansas City Symphony: Farrenc, Schumann & Dvorak @ Helzberg Hall – Kauffman Center | Classical | 8:00 PM | INFO
MDC Stoner Doom Festival II – Day 2: Dopethrone, Year of the Cobra, Black Moon Cult, Buzzard Fight, Ghost Pipe, Bugnog @ The Bottleneck, Lawrence KS | Stoner Doom/Metal | 7:00 PM (doors 6 PM) | INFO
La Dispute w/ From Indian Lakes & Flooding @ The Granada, Lawrence KS | Post-Hardcore | 7:30 PM | INFO
Phoneboy @ Warehouse on Broadway | Indie/Rock* | time unspecified* | INFO
Bruce Katz Band @ Knuckleheads Saloon | Blues/Jazz | 8:00 PM | INFO
Rotting Christ w/ Immolation (Godless IV Tour) @ Warehouse on Broadway | Black/Death Metal | 7:30 PM (doors 6:30 PM) | INFO
🏐 SPORTS SCENE
Current dominates Palmeiras 6–1 to defend Teal Rising Cup title
The Kansas City Current delivered a statement performance at CPKC Stadium, overpowering SE Palmeiras 6–1 to secure back-to-back Teal Rising Cup championships. A relentless first half set the tone, with Kansas City scoring six times before the break, including a historic hat trick from forward Haley Hopkins and a milestone first professional goal from Amelia White. Temwa Chawinga also added to the surge just before halftime, capping one of the most dominant halves in club history.
Hopkins was named Tournament MVP for the second straight year after finishing with four goals across the competition, further cementing her place in the event’s record books. Although Palmeiras managed a late consolation goal in the second half, the result was never in doubt as Kansas City controlled the match from start to finish. The victory adds another trophy to the club’s growing collection and reinforces CPKC Stadium’s status as a fortress for women’s professional soccer.
Leaving Waldo… But Not Really (Our Kansas City Move Explained)
In this video, Kyle shares the story of how his family unexpectedly sold two houses directly across the street from each other in a single day—one being their own home, and the other his first real estate flip.
4830 Mercier Street is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath Tudor-style home that blends timeless Kansas City character with fully completed modern updates. Originally built in 1927, it preserves the charm you expect in West Plaza—arched doorways, original hardwood floors, and carefully maintained architectural details—while offering a renovated kitchen and refreshed bathrooms that bring it fully into today’s lifestyle. The living room is anchored by a stunning fireplace with original tile and restored sconces, creating a warm focal point that immediately sets the tone for the home. The updated kitchen flows into a cozy breakfast nook with built-ins, and both bathrooms feature clean, modern finishes that make the home completely move-in ready.
Upstairs, the primary suite stands out with abundant natural light and a flexible sitting area that can easily serve as an office, reading nook, or private retreat. Outside, mature landscaping frames a screened-in porch and a private backyard that works well for both entertaining and quiet evenings. Located just minutes from the Country Club Plaza, Westwood Park, and the shops and restaurants along State Line, this home offers a rare combination of historic charm, thoughtful updates, and a highly desirable location—all without the need for any renovation work.
Listing Provided by:Kyle Talbot with KW KANSAS CITY METRO
Modern West Plaza Luxury Home with Rooftop Views
4540 Mercier Street is a 4-bedroom, 4-bath custom-built residence offering nearly 3,800 square feet of refined modern living in the heart of West Plaza. Built in 2020 as an Artisan Home, it combines clean architectural design with high-end finishes throughout. The exterior makes an immediate statement with stucco, gas lanterns, and a glass garage door framed in powder-coated black metal, along with a three-car garage that provides rare and valuable off-street parking in this location. Inside, the home features 7-inch white oak hardwood floors, custom steel railings, and Restoration Hardware lighting that carries a consistent elevated design aesthetic throughout.
The main living spaces are designed for both everyday comfort and entertaining at scale, highlighted by an 80-inch gas fireplace and dramatic floor-to-ceiling charcoal concrete feature wall. The kitchen showcases inset walnut cabinetry, hidden appliances, and striking azul quartz countertops imported from Italy, seamlessly connecting to the dining area with its 24-foot vaulted ceiling and expansive windows with electric blinds. Multiple outdoor living spaces extend the home’s footprint, including private concrete patios, a fenced backyard, and a 200-square-foot rooftop deck with views toward the Country Club Plaza. With two primary suites, a flexible potential fifth bedroom, and a top-floor theater room with soundproofing, this home delivers a rare combination of design, function, and location just minutes from Westport, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Plaza.
Listing Provided by: Kyle Talbot with KW KANSAS CITY METRO
At Loans in KC, we understand that every financial situation is unique. That’s why we offer personalized loan solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with fast and reliable service. Mortgage rates change constantly, much like the weather, and they vary depending on your unique circumstances. Just like finding the right tool for a job, getting the right mortgage rate is crucial. Let us help you discover the perfect match with a FREE customized quote today! You’re not just another number to us; you’re part of the family.
📍 Muriel Kauffman Theatre | ⏰ Fri–Sun 7:30 PM Multimedia performance. Three nights at Kauffman — paint drums, audience participation, comedy, and a show that defies a clean description. All ages, runs all weekend.
📍 Uptown Theater | ⏰ Fri 8 PM Drag show. RuPaul's Drag Race legend Alyssa Edwards brings her Thanks For Everything Tour to KC Friday — costumed reveals, big comedy, and one of drag's most iconic performers live. 18+.
📍 Kansas City Convention Center | ⏰ Fri 7 PM Charity fashion show. Cancer survivors take the runway in couture bra designs — a KC original since 2010. GA ($125) includes wine, beer, and small plates. VIP pre-party starts at 6 PM.
📍 Multiple KC Record Stores (incl. 1815 McGee) | ⏰ Sat, all day Record Store Day. Limited vinyl drops from Taylor Swift, Grateful Dead, Charli XCX, and more. Hit your local shop early — these go fast.
📍 Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | ⏰ Sun 10 AM–4 PM Cultural celebration. Free all-day event with live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on artmaking rooted in the museum's South and Southeast Asian collection. All ages, registration required.
📍 Lakeside Nature Center, Swope Park | ⏰ Sun 10 AM Free Earth Day event. Naturalist-led hike through gardens, ponds, and marshes, followed by StoneLion puppet shows and a chance to meet a live opossum. All ages.
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Your Guide to Living, Working & Thriving in Kansas City
KC Scene is your go-to, unbiased resource for everything Kansas City—where to live, what to do, and how to make this city feel like home. Whether you're moving in or moving up, we’ve got you covered with real estate, development, lifestyle, and local gems.
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