Liberty's historic downtown is set for transformation with new lofts, shops, restaurants, and an influx of residents, following the City Council’s approval of a revitalization plan.
The first phase of the plan, developed by a task force since April 2023, aims to attract more businesses and people to the area. After months of evaluating current land use and existing initiatives, the task force presented its vision for a mixed-use downtown district.
Katherine Sharp, Liberty’s Director of Planning and Development, shared a condensed version of the plan during a public hearing. The proposal focuses on key sites around downtown.
Site A, at W. Mississippi and N. Prairie, is slated for 13 high-density homes, expected to bring 22 new residents.
Site B, bordered by W. Franklin, Gallatin, W. Kansas, and N. Prairie, will see a three-story mixed-use building with retail on the ground floor and 38 apartments above, accommodating around 60 new residents.
aSite D, near E. Kansas and S. Missouri, currently a parking lot, is proposed for a structure combining commercial space, apartments, and up to 575 parking spaces, with potential for a public plaza.
Planners envision a downtown that honors Liberty’s history while welcoming new growth. Task force member Jamie Yameen believes it’s Liberty’s time to move forward, comparing the effort to other nearby communities' development initiatives.
While the proposal has broad support, some residents, like Daniel Tichman, raised concerns about how traditional events like the Fall Festival would be accommodated. The plan marks just the beginning of a longer development process.
Header Image: The mixed-use development plan for the empty hole sitting across from Liberty City Hall in Liberty, Mo. Rendering credit: Klover Architects