KC Streetcar

PROJECT

The Kansas City Streetcar has revolutionized transit in Kansas City, building downtown mobility and connectivity with a modern and convenient transit option for urban growth. We have been a partner throughout the streetcar’s development, from the starter streetcar line through the latest extension project.

For the 2-mile starter line, which opened in 2016, our team addressed infrastructure challenges through water system upgrades and structural design of road and bridge modifications. We also helped mitigate community concerns through a robust public engagement program.

When the Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA), the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the City of Kansas City embarked on a 3.5-mile extension of the streetcar line in 2022, our team led the project communication team, focused on outreach to business, residents and the traveling public.

Extending Community Transit Southward

The city, KCSA and KCATA opened the southern extension for ridership in October 2025. The public had enthusiastically embraced the new mode of transportation since its launch and ridership exceeded expectations. From the start, the multidisciplinary communications team helped KCSA address the financial and feasibility issues related to the extension, which would enhance mobility by adding 16 stops and connecting the starter line to Midtown, Westport, the Art Museum District, the Plaza and the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC).

Throughout construction, which began in 2022, the communication team presented at neighborhood gatherings, facilitated stakeholder meetings and conducted door-to-door touch points ahead of road closures. In addition to in-person communications, the team maintained an informative project website, conducted social media outreach and sent weekly construction update emails that provided information, shared progress photos and celebrated project milestones. The communications and outreach strategy on the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension has been praised as a highlight of the project, setting a precedent for an engagement approach on capital projects.

Client

City of Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas City Streetcar Authority

Location

Kansas City, Missouri

Region

Midwest

Services

Industries

Case Study

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Riding the Rails: Collaborative Public Involvement for Kansas City Streetcar

Building Out the Starter Line

Our team was challenged with addressing the multitude of infrastructure challenges that come with adding transit rail in a busy city corridor. We coordinated the relocation and replacement of water and sewer systems, tallying the relocation and replacement of over 2 miles of water mains, reconnection of nearly 100 water service connections, reconstruction of 30 manholes, and rehabilitation of the sewer system and 13,400 linear feet of cured-in-place lining.

We also provided structural design related to the Main Street Viaduct and the Delaware Street Bridge, including inspections and modifications to accommodate the streetcar system. Our team also assisted with architectural design for the streetcar vehicle maintenance facility.

Our communications team implemented a comprehensive public engagement plan to both communicate updates and gather input. Outreach tools included workshops, corridor walks, door-to-door initiatives to engage business and property owners, residents, employees and the traveling public. Email outreach grew as the project progressed and included a robust database to record, track and manage inquiries. We also provided frequent updates via a website, communicating about project milestones, closures and construction. Social media and surveys were additional tools for gathering input and sharing project information.

Starter Line Tasks

Waterline and sewer design, including assistance with final design of the water main system relocation/replacement and the sewer system rehab portions of the design. Tasks include relocation/replacement of more than 2 miles of water mains.

Utility research and coordination, including facilitation of meetings with 27 private and public utilities and numerous stakeholders to coordinate project details and analyze impacts.

Bridge inspection and design to document potential modifications necessary to accommodate streetcar tracks and final plans to accommodate streetcar track slab improvements and embedding of block rail in the bridge deck.

Public involvement, including local workshops, corridor walks, door-to-door meetings, email outreach, project website, social media outreach, key messaging, dedicated phone line, surveys, branding support and coordination with the Streetcar Authority and Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association.

Architectural assistance as an adviser and resource for design of the vehicle maintenance facility. In concept and schematic design, the team provided history and knowledge of the site in its relationship to previous studies in the area and the Greater Downtown Area Plan.

TIGER Grant Funding Assistance

Our team helped the city manage the complex starter line project with assistance in pursuing federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the city a $20,000,000 TIGER grant for the streetcar project, which was used for discretionary funding for the first phase of the $102 million project. 

Our strategic communications team actively pursued more than 35 letters of support for the grant applications. They streamlined and managed the process by developing and executing: 

Draft language for the request
Fact sheet explaining the grant application and why the project should be supported
Draft letter of support
Follow-up calls and emails