$20M project expected to remove key barrier to unlocking 18th & Vine vibrancy: parking

It’s more than just a parking garage, said Pat Jordan, revealing a plan to develop a state-of-the-art, transit-oriented parking facility in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District is about opening a gateway to the entertainment and cultural hub.

Pat Jordan, Pat Jordan & Associates

“Limited parking has historically been a barrier for visitors, especially during peak hours and large events,” said Jordan, president of Pat Jordan & Associates and a longtime arts and preservation advocate perhaps best known for leading the revival of the Gem Theatre.

The 470-space parking project, located at 1819 Lydia Ave., is expected to provide much-needed parking capacity to support the district’s events and attractions. It is set to be delivered before the FIFA World Cup 2026 festivities by Grayson Capital — led by founder Michael Collins — and JE Dunn Construction.

Funded through a $20 million allocation from the KCMO City Council, the facility will serve as a permanent hub for transit connectivity and visitor parking, benefiting residents and visitors alike, officials said.

“18th & Vine hosts major events from concerts and jazz festivals to museum exhibitions and sports gatherings,” Jordan said. “Structured parking means higher attendance capacity, longer visitor stays, and encourages future development. Parking infrastructure supports growth.”

Options for paid and free are being evaluated to balance accessibility, business and large-event support and long-term sustainability of the garage, she noted. 

Congested parking through the 18th & Vine District, near the site of a newly planned parking facility at 1819 Lydia Ave.; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Ryan Williams, a representative from the consulting group Third Eye Network, leads a recent Small Business Task Force roundtable discussion at CPKC Stadium about small business owners’ needs ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Among the bold-print challenges identified: “Parking!”; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“Kansas City is proud to enhance the 18th & Vine Jazz District, promoting its growth and preserving its legacy as a premier cultural, entertainment, and housing district for generations to come,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “Working with the Grayson Capital team, the City looks forward to building the infrastructure in parking and walkability to support thousands of residents and visitors for future developments in the Jazz District.”

Once completed, the City will own and operate the garage, ensuring long-term support for the District’s events, businesses, and attractions. The parking facility is currently in the design phase.

Grayson Capital is a Missouri-based minority real estate development and project advisory firm focused on multifamily, healthcare and public-private partnerships.

“I am excited to continue to see the development of the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District,” said Melissa Robinson, 3rd District councilwoman for Kansas City, Missouri. “The construction of parking enhancements will increase walkability, safety and accessibility to Kansas City’s most treasured culture, businesses and historic neighborhood. This public private partnership with Grayson Capital continues to build momentum for the district to reach its full economic potential.”

That potential includes additional improvements just down the street.

Little more than a block away from the project, the Boone Theater’s $8.7 million renovation effort — set to culminate with a new home for the Black Movie Hall of Fame and the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City — is on schedule, developers said, with a fundraising campaign set to debut in the spring. The effort is led by the Vine Street Collaborative with innovative financing and incentives secured at the city, state, and federal levels.

And on Thursday, the KCMO City Council approved a comprehensive funding package for the Parade Park Homes redevelopment, giving the green light to revitalize a community that began as investment in one of the country’s first Black-owned co-ops. 

The $300 million project will transform the community near 18th and Vine into a mixed-income neighborhood with 1,100 affordable homes that include a blend of senior-accessible and family homes. The plan maintains its commitment to former residents by guaranteeing their right to return following construction. 

The funding plan also includes the establishment of a dedicated Parade Park Homes Future Fund, a mechanism designed to sustain ongoing development and community support in subsequent phases. Redevelopment work is slated to begin this summer. 

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