08.14.2023

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Today’s Forecast

40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.

🚋 On track for 2025

Take a ride along the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension Project’s progress

The KC Streetcar is over 50% complete — one step closer to this new station stop at UMKC. | Rendering via KC Streetcar

Picture this: You are shopping local vendors at the City Market and decide it’s time for brunch on the Plaza. You hop on the KC Streetcar and arrive stress-free in no time.

That’s what all Kansas Citians can experience come 2025.

The KC Streetcar is officially over halfway done with its 2025 Main Street Extension Plan — but what does that mean? Let’s break down what is still in store for the transportation project + what to expect in the next 18 months.

Over halfway

This June, the project reached the 50% installation mark — keeping the 2025 completion right on track. East side (or north bound) tracks are completed on the northern half of the extension. Plus, tracks for the facility expansion are officially in progress.

KC Streetcar New Stop Rendering KCtoday — The future Plaza Transit Center.
|
Rendering via KC Streetcar

See the stops

The extension will feature 16 new stops — including signature stops at Plaza Transit Center and UMKC. The Plaza Transit Center will accommodate streetcar + bus services, as well as bike facilities with a double-sided platform. The UMKC stop will become the new southern terminus, with space for two streetcars to arrive on different sides of the track and turn around to head north.

More than tracks

While the extension route is made up of 3.5 miles of tracks, there are various project elements that make every ride happen. Let’s dive into our KC Streetcar encyclopedia to get familiar with the full project scope.

Vehicle Maintenance Facility: This updated space will accommodate an expanded streetcar fleet, operational + maintenance growth, and storage.

Traction Power Substation: These provide electricity to power the streetcars — five will be constructed for the extension.

Overhead Catenary System: These poles transfer power to each streetcar, with a total of 344 poles along the extension.

Stormwater Management: The drainage system that eliminates flooding concerns and protects nearby properties from stormwater runoff.

Events

Monday, Aug. 14

Musical Mondays - Cabaroke Night | Monday, Aug. 14 | 7-11 p.m. | Cabaret Arts and Social Theatre, 9050 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS | Free | Do you love tunes from icons like Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra? If you have the pipes, this is the karaoke night for you.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

Sioux Falls Canaries vs Kansas City Monarchs | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 7 p.m. | Legends Field | $8-$60 | Watch the Monarchs take on the Canaries on the home field.
FYI Book Group | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | National WWI Museum and Memorial | Free with RSVP | Join this bookclub and participate in discussion about “The Facemaker.”

Wednesday, Aug. 16

Todd Norris Teachings and The Actor Showcase | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 7 p.m. | The Bird Comedy Theater, 103 W. 19th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Actors of all experience levels are encouraged to perform a one-minute monologue, followed by a self-tape seminar taught by Todd Norris.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

West 39th Street has a new coffee shop: meet Rebel Coffee. The new spot — at 1607 W. 39th St., KCMO — is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Editor Bella tried it this morning and gives it the KCtoday stamp of approval.

Award

Barbecue: it’s what we do. Ollie Gates, owner of Gates Bar-B-Q, is being inducted into the Missouri Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. Ollie’s parents started the restaurant in 1946, which has grown to five locations. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Closed

Well, temporarily. SoT, a cocktail bar near the Crossroads, closed its doors to work on refreshing the space and refining the menu. According to the biz, the closure is temporary, but it did not indicate a reopening date.

Sports

No one does it like KC. Soccer super-fans showed up big at KC Live! last week to watch the US Women’s National Team in the World Cup. The best part? It was at 4 a.m. — talk about dedication.

Environment

Did you know high ground-level ozone can lead to health problems? Know when ozone levels are on the rise by signing up for SkyCast. This free service provides the air quality conditions expected for the next day and issues an Ozone Alert when an unhealthy amount of ozone pollution is anticipated.*

Shop

Last chance: MANSCAPED’s annual Summer Sale ends in just two days. Now’s your chance to take advantage of 20% off + free shipping site-wide to save big on their best-selling electric trimmers, premium grooming kits, and UltraPremium formulations. Activate your discount.*

Wellness

🚲 Cycle + spin around KC

Ride over to these cycling studios in Kansas City

The lights are low but the energy is high at MOJO Cycling. | Photo by KCtoday

Let’s ride. One great way to beat the heat (and eventually the cold) in Kansas City is hitting up an indoor exercise class. Whether you consider yourself a pro-stationary cyclist or have never stepped in front of the mirror, there are options for cycling classes of all levels around KC.

MOJO Cycling Studio, 4722 Broadway, Ste. 220, KCMO | Take your first class for free on any Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Revive Indoor Cycling, 2016 W. 43rd Ave., KCK | This studio was voted Kansas City Magazine’s “Kansas City’s Best Cycling Studio 2023.”

CYCLEBAR, multiple locations | Spin to the beat of your favorite songs at one of the themed rides.

Cycle of Heart, 8306 N. Oxford St., KCMO | This woman-owned small biz offers various classes, plus apparel + gifts for purchase.

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The Wrap

City Editor Bella Rainey poses on a rooftop overlooking Kansas City, KCtoday.

Today’s edition by:
Bella

From the editor

Football season is so close y’all — I can already feel the breeze from the upper bowl seats at Arrowhead and smell the barbecue from the tailgates.

Send me your biggest predictions for the Chiefs upcoming season, and they might be featured in a future newsletter.

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