At a PortKC development committee meeting today, the KC Current women’s soccer team ownership (Chris and Angie Long) through their Palmer Square Capital Management company, along with development partner Marquee Development (of Chicago), revealed a massive mixed-use development that’ll transform Berkley Riverfront Park.

Rounding out most of the remaining development parcels at Berkley Park, the planned development will replace all of the gravel lots, and some green space, east of the under construction Origin Hotel and future KC Streetcar stop. The scope also includes a parcel located south of Berkley Parkway and north of the railroad tracks at the southwest corner of Berkley Parkway and Lydia. Total development area: 10.71 acres.

Designed by Perkins Eastman (the firm behind Washington DC’s popular “Wharf” development), the development’s buildings break from other recent new buildings constructed across the KC region. Featuring a modern take on classic design, brick, glass and height ranges that vary across the development site, the project will pack density and age gracefully. Compared to other buildings built at Berkley Park, these will be high quality.

The project will be phased over the next decade with the desire to begin construction on the $200 Million+ first phase at the conclusion of the Current’s season. That means we could see land movement by the end of the year.

The project was first discussed in 2023 with PortKC, at the time, discussing the overall scope and potential incentives. The Kansas City Public School district was opposed to incentives being prematurely issued for this development, but PortKC went ahead and pre-approved the intent to issue incentives. At the time, PortKC detailed:

• Office and Retail will have a 15-year tax abatement period with 10 of those years having an abatement at 75% and the remaining 5 at 30%.
• Residential will have a 10-year abatement period with 5 of those years having an abatement at 95% and the remaining 5 being at 90%. 
• Over a 25-year span, $30 Million will be contributed to the taxing jurisdictions.
• Project has a $35 Million infrastructure investment.

Additionally, 10% of all residential units across the entirety of the development will be set aside as affordable for those making 50% of the area’s median income (AMI).

The Current’s development will also include the creation of 2+ new acres of green space in Berkley Park, including a “cascading” trail down to the Missouri River, a plaza at the entrance to CPKC Stadium, an overhaul of the riverfront promenade, and the relocation of the sand volley courts to the west side of the park.

With over 1200 residential units, 1080 parking spaces, 200,000sf of office space, and 125,000sf of retail space all planned across this $800 Million development, we have a lot to look forward to and watch at Berkley Riverfront in the coming years.

PortKC will approve up to $800 Million in bonds to get this project rolling. While the decade long construction timeframe seems like a long time, Current ownership stressed that the timeframe could be faster depending on leasing success with the residential units and retail spaces. The first phase of the development is expected to open in 2026. Whether or not it opens in time for the World Cup is dependent on the start of construction.