REDI

Riverfront Economic Development Initiative (REDI)

The Downtown Riverfront is prime development property, located south of Riverfront Drive and bounded by the Paseo and Heart of America bridges. The site creates synergies among existing neighborhoods in the River Market and Columbus Park.

In 1990, the world-renowned urban planning and design firm of Cooper, Robertson & Partners completed an original master plan that contemplated a corporate office park development. The plan was completely revised and reconstituted in 1999 to include a multipurpose urban village.

In September 2003, the Port Authority issued a solicitation for developers to negotiate for the development of the Riverfront Redevelopment Site. Negotiating rights were granted to Forest City Enterprises to conduct pre-development work on an updated master plan for a sustainable mixed-use neighborhood. Forest City Land Group, a subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises, is one of the nation's most experienced urban mixed-use developers. Examples of Forest City's work include the Stapleton project in Denver, Colo. and the Central Station development in downtown Chicago, Ill. Denver-based urban planner, Civitas, Inc., worked with the Port Authority on this process.

The Port Authority was awarded a clean bill of environmental health from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the redevelopment site in September of 2007. The Port Authority dedicated ten years, $17 million and extensive Brownfield Tax Credits to clean up the site, which had been the former home to a manufactured gas facility, tow lot and disposal area. With its final No Further Action letter, the site is now cleaned, cleared and ready for development.

Currently, the Port Authority's vision for the Riverfront Economic Development Initiative includes approximately 175,000 square feet of service retail, restaurants and attractions, 1,200 residential units and up to 500,000 square feet of office space for an anchor tenant. All of this will be developed utilizing high LEED standards for building design, storm water management and alternative energy uses.

Land Attributes:

  • City & Port Authority owned land
  • Clean site that's been fully remediated
  • Existing Park & Heritage Trail amenities
  • Incomparable Missouri River & skyline views
  • Substantial infrastructure improvements
  • Increasing neighborhood connectivity & transit links
  • Site ready for development now; with near future connections to the New Bond Bridge along with the "Green" Front Street Extension.

Gateway to Kansas City:

  • The north anchor & entry point to Downtown
  • High visibility adjacent to new landmark bridge
  • Reclaims the historical roots of Kansas City
  • Entire area to be redeveloped in conjunction with high environmentally sustainability-based standards
  • Helps promote additional recreational uses in and around the river
  • Creates an experience authentic only to Kansas City