How can the Central Avenue Bridge serve as a catalyst for community reconnection and riverfront revitalization?

Spring 2025 | Kansas // Missouri

Preface

The studio aims to create a vision for reconnecting communities, nature, and systems and examines the Central Avenue Bridge as a catalyst for broader community impact. The project builds on the momentum of Kansas City metro redevelopment and creates a shared vision for how infrastructure improvements can enhance quality of life. By collaborating with community stakeholder groups, the project aims to collectively envision a vibrant, interconnected future for Kansas City. Student design proposals focus on both the design and visioning for a neighborhood plan as well as a landmark bridge proposal.

What should I know about the Central Avenue Bridge?

The Central Avenue Bridge is approximately 3,450 feet in length, spanning the Kansas/Kaw River. The bridge was closed in 2021 due to extensive deterioration of its bottom truss members. The bridge has a unique split ownership structure, which has complicated efforts to fund its repair or replacement.

Community efforts, including petitions led by local lawmakers, have advocated for the bridge's repair or replacement. In 2025, the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas, hired a team to study the future of the UG River Bridges as part of an effort to restore the vital connectivity between communities.

The bridge has historically served as an important connector for the KCK and KCMO bus network, industrial traffic, and daily commuters. The bridge study is also taking into account the Riverfront Levee Trail initiative, which reflects a regional commitment to integrating infrastructure improvements with community health and recreation. The improved 12-mile levee bike trail is expected to enhance accessibility and connectivity for the area and reinvent the communities relationship with the Riverfront.

More Project information coming soon!

UPCOMING PROJECT EVENTS:
Community Meeting @ Splitlog Coffee

Disclaimer: The KCDC functions as an academic visioning agency only, and does not implement or build the proposed designs from its academic projects. The research, study, and plans developed by the studio may be used by the City of KCK, or other applicable organizations to conduct their own development and implementation separate from the KCDC’s project. It is our hope that the studio’s visioning process acts as a conduit for the communities voice to be heard through the design proposal presented.