Historic Kansas City redevelopment project underway
The corner of 31st and Troost may once again become an active commercial and residential development in Kansas City, Missouri, after developers redevelop and revitalize the block. Renovations for Phase I of the 31st and Troost Redevelopment Project are underway, and our Kansas City office is providing surveying and civil design services for the project.
Our surveyors conducted an ALTA survey on the block of 31st and Troost, and our engineers completed design for the parking area, detention system, utilities, land planning and public improvements for the block. The development will include office and retail space, a museum and eventually housing.
The 31st and Troost Redevelopment is part of a larger plan to revive the Troost Corridor, which was once a thriving area of the city, but has since suffered. Phase I of the redevelopment project at 31st and Troost includes the Shankman building, built in 1929; the Michelson building, built in 1923; and the Tycor building.
The Shankman and Michelson buildings will become office and retail space, and the Tycor building will become the Midwest American Indian Museum of the Plains and Woodland Tribes, as well as a space for Native American artisans to sell goods.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, the corner of 31st and Troost was a hub for retail and entertainment. However, the Troost Corridor became a symbolic racial division in Kansas City after property prices and school district boundaries seemed to divide whites living on the west side of Troost from minorities living on the east side of Troost. After the 1968 riots in Kansas City, businesses left the Troost Midtown area and many stores stayed vacant.
Developers are hoping to revive the historic business district by bringing commercial development back into this once-bustling area of Kansas City. Development on this block will take a few years, Kansas City Office Director Marty Arling said, and he is excited to work on the development due to its “historic nature.”
Renovations started this summer and are expected to finish on this phase of the project in 2021. Future plans for this block include an entertainment area, a common parking area and apartments. We are happy to work on rehabilitating a historical area of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and look forward to seeing the neighborhood in full effect!