Kansas City Requests State Funding for Freeway Cap Park

A proposed freeway cap park in Kansas City got a funding boost last week when the city council approved a request to the state for $15 million in state tax credits for the South Loop park project. The tax credits would use state funding to match $30 million already committed to the park, according to an article by Celisa Calacal for KCUR.

“Kansas City officials, along with Port KC and the Downtown Council, are working together on a 5.5 acre urban park that would sit on top of a portion of Interstate 670 downtown — commonly referred to as the South Loop.” The project would create new park space and reconnect communities previously cut off by the freeway. 

“A recent $10 million contribution from H&R Block, plus federal grants and other investments from the private sector, total $47 million toward the South Loop project so far.” However, the new funding would still only bring the project’s budget to less than half of the total projected cost of $200 million. 

City councilmembers support the project, but some express concern that it prioritizes amenities aimed at tourists before benefiting local communities. Pointing to other project that try to mitigate the impacts of rampant freeway construction, 4th District Councilman Eric Bunch said, “We need to keep the momentum going on those other ones that are truly affecting communities of color communities, who've been, again, dealing with these things for decades.”