Expect a quicker route to game day celebrations. | Rendering via City of Kansas City
It may have been where the city started, but the riverfront has largely been neglected — and disconnected — from the greater downtown area for decades. Until now.
Local leaders broke ground last week on the Grand Boulevard Bike/Pedestrian Bridge, a 1,285-ft addition that will create a direct, safe path between downtown and the burgeoning Berkley Riverfront development. That’s right — no more sprinting across the viaduct, which still doesn’t have sidewalks (seriously).
“The great thing is that we are literally creating a new neighborhood, “ said 4th District Councilman Crispin Rea, “We know we have folks that are taking alternative routes, who are walking long distances, but this is gonna be one more option to connect this incredible area to the rest of downtown.”
Construction is expected to wrap in 2026, around the same time as the streetcar’s riverfront extension.
Safe, scenic, and stadium-bound? That’s a bridge we’ll cross gladly.
Asked
Asked
Outside of your own car, which form of transport do you prefer to get around town?
A. Walking on foot B. Biking, e-scooters, etc. C. Hopping aboard the streetcar D. Riding the bus
Cigars in the Biergarten | 6-9 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Co. | $20+ | Enjoy premium cigars from Diebel’s Cigars + sip on brews and spirits while chatting with the founders of KC Bier Co. and J. Reiger & Co.
Tuesday, May 20
“Mean Girls” | Tuesday, May 20-Sunday, May 25 | 8-10 p.m. | Starlight Theatre | $15+ | Straight from Broadway by way of the big screen, this hilarious hit musical from the mind of Tina Fey tells the story of a naive newbie who falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies.
Wednesday, May 21
Stockyards Legends Dinner 2025 | 6-10 p.m. | The Hobbs: Kansas City Event Space | $100+ | This year’s Heritage Days celebration, honoring one of the region’s oldest neighborhoods + the “Wettest Block in the USA,” features dinner inside the historic Hobbs building.
The Garcia Project | 7:30 p.m. | Knuckleheads Saloon | $26 | Become one with the music as full, classic Jerry Garcia Band set lists from 1976-1995 are faithfully channeled and project the feelings, emotions, and music that propelled the legendary artist to psychedelic heights.
Thursday, May 22
Kitten Party | 5-8 p.m. | Casual Animal Brewing | Menu price | Saddle up to your favorite window seat, sip a pint of Cat Shark Red Ale, and snuggle some seriously cute adoptable kittens. Best drinking buddies ever.
Where To Find Us — A Cowboy Carter Celebration | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | J. Rieger & Co. | $15 | This series invites folks to pitch their single queer besties in bold, heartwarming, and hilarious presentations, featuring boot-scootin’ beats, all the denim you can muster, and a Cuban coffee pop-up.
Kansas City Symphony Presents “Jaws” in Concert | Thursday, May 22-Friday, May 23 | 7 p.m. | Helzberg Hall | $58+ | This summer blockbuster, with an Academy Award-winning score that made John Williams a household name, may have kept you out of the water as a kid — but it’s perfect for a film + live orchestra experience.
First Amendment Brew Haha is bringing punchlines, not pundits, to KCK’s Legends Outlets. Taking over the former Stanford and Sons space, the new comedy club will debut next month — its owner envisioning everything from live band karaoke to animatronic puppets and trap doors. (Kansas City Star)
Kansas Citians
...there’s a lot more of us lately. The metro added 18,000 new residents from July 2023 to July 2024, outpacing similarly sized cities by 11,000. In even more good news, we’re now ranked the second most affordable metro in the Midwest. (KCBJ + Motley Fool Money)
Mansion Monday
Prefer wide open spaces to skyline views? Escape the city to this custom 3,240-sqft stunner just 20 minutes from KCI, nestled on ~117 scenic acres near downtown Weston. Think wraparound screened porches, geothermal floors, a guest cottage, a horse barn, and even an 1830s stagecoach house.
Announced
Mark your calendars: Boulevardia’s 10th anniversary festival is one month out, and the full stage schedule just dropped. Pro tip: Grab tickets for Taps & Tastes before Tech N9ne pours the last of the Bou Lou. You’ve been warned.
Watch
Cash Cab, but make it Chiefs Kingdom. Host Ben Bailey brought the iconic game show back to KC — quizzing fans about the team’s 2025 season while driving them through the city. Plus, a few familiar faces joined the ride. (ESPN)
Film
E.T. phone... Kansas City? Superstar director Steven Spielberg is filming a new flick in the Northeast, but passersby are beginning to wonder if the UFO movie “The Dish” is actually set in the Heartland. (Kansas City Star)
Trending
Visual learners, listen up: we teased the returning glow of Midtown’s 1,042-ft KCTV Tower thanks to new city initiative Illuminate KC. Now, with a little help from AI, you can get an idea of what it will look like when it joins the lights of City Hall, Union Station, and the Kauffman Center.
Have an upcoming vacay on the books? No need to stress about finding top-notch care for your furry friend. CITYDOGs offers award-winning accommodations that give your pup all of the comforts of home while you’re away (think: seasonal brunch items, fleece bedding, and enrichment mats).*
Fun Fact
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Read
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A pack of light blocking stickers to dull light pollution in your home. The pack comes with multiple sizes that can be used to cover light emitted by digital alarm clocks, charger ports, and other electronics.
Like snowcones that bite back. Three adorably awkward Peregrine falcon chicks hatched atop Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s downtown building in March — last week, they were fixed with trackers and named. Meet Goalden, Sassafras and Moose.
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