“If you ever think about 18th & Vine, it really is a neighborhood and community that’s been around for more than 100 years. It is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in all of Kansas City. Google Kansas City, and if you don’t get to 18th & Vine in five searches, something’s wrong. It’s our history,” said Kelvin Simmons, partner at the Nexus Group.
Simmons and Darron Story, director of development at the American Jazz Museum, were the featured speakers at the March luncheon hosted by KC Downtowners.
The past several years, the actual corner of 18th & Vine has housed a parking lot. Simmons said it’s time for another renaissance of this historic district.
A renaissance began in 1997 when the American Jazz Museum opened, celebrated with a star-studded gala. Today, 18th & Vine, Kansas City’s historic jazz district also is home to the Gem Theater, Blue Room and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Simmons said these attractions are situated in only one part of a much larger neighborhood.
Simmons is working on a multi-phase plan to redevelop the district. The first phase, One Nine Vine, opened in December 2023 at 1901 Vine Street. One Nine Vine is a $26 million project containing 80 market-rate and affordable housing units. The building also contains retail space and a parking garage.
“We see that all the time. No, you don’t. Not on the east side of Kansas City and not east of Paseo. That’s a first like that,” said Simmons.
The project was developed with public and private dollars, Simmons said.
According to Simmons, housing, retail and a parking garage are planned for phase two. Simmons said the jazz district is the only district in Kansas City that has no structured parking.
“To make that district grow and continue to have the opportunity, we need structured parking," he said.
Another 18th Street project ready to start will replace the parking lot at 18th and Vine with a $24 + million development. Simmons is partnering with McCormack Baron Salazar. The developers won the project by submitting their proposal in response to a request from the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
Simmons said other plans for the redevelopment of the district include the creation of a pedestrian-friendly plaza along 18th Street, the removal of curbs and the elimination of street parking.
“And what you’re going to see in the future is more of a walkable street that can close for our festivals and things of that nature. So it’s going to transform that entire area to something special,” he said.
Another addition to the district on 18th Street is the Zhou B Art Center of Kansas City, a $25 million investment, located in the former Crispus Attucks Elementary School originally built in 1905. The remodeled space contains artist studios and features multiple event spaces and a sculpture garden.
Vine Street Brewing Co., Missouri’s pioneer African American-owned brewery, opened in 2023 at 20th and Vine, replacing a former public works building.
Simmons said developers are in place to restore the historic Boone Theater located at 1701 E. 18th Street, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announced a capital campaign to build a $25 million expansion project.
Simmons said additional housing and retail is planned at 18th & Lydia and at 24th & Vine.
“This is not just imagined. This is really happening, guys.This is probably close to $175 to $200 million of new development that is taking place in the 18th and Vine area,” he said.
A crucial part of the 18th & Vine jazz district is the American Jazz Museum.
“We cannot separate the fact that civil rights and social justice is the fabric of what we do at the American Jazz Museum. You cannot separate jazz without talking about civil rights and the struggle of African Americans,” said Story.
Story said every museum has a storyline, and the American Jazz Museum built the storyline around four jazz masters—Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Kansas City's native son, Charlie Parker.
The museum also captures Kansas City’s jazz neon history. Neon signs in the museum’s collection tell the story of Kansas City’s jazz clubs. Story said that at one time, there were more than 300 clubs in operation in Kansas City where you could listen to music, sometimes 24 hours a day.
Performance is a big part of what the museum offers, Story said, referring to the Blue Room and the Gem Theater. In addition, education is key. Through music and jazz storytelling, the museum engages young children, including those in elementary and preschool.
“We educate kids on all kinds of various subjects, but it’s wrapped around a jazz motif,” Story said.
The Kansas City Jazz Academy provides middle and high school students the opportunity “to delve into this wonderful art form with some of the best teachers in town,” said Story.
Story said the American Jazz Museum plans to start a capital campaign within the next 18 to 24 months to infuse more technology and more interactivity for its patrons.
“Where jazz vibes, where jazz lives, that’s where the American Jazz Museum is,” said Story.
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Feature photo credit: Marcia Charney | MWM KC.