News
Kansas City Current Breaks Ground on Riverfront Mixed-Use District
KC Current continues its transformational investment in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY (March 26, 2025) — Today, the Kansas City Current, Palmer Square Real Estate Management, and Marquee Development broke ground on the next phase of the KC Current’s generational investment in the Berkley Riverfront and downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
With today’s groundbreaking, the Current continues its unprecedented investment in women’s sports and the Kansas City region, only 12 months after the opening of CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional team. Construction crews have been mobilized since December 2024 preparing the site for vertical construction.
Building on our partnership with Port KC and our shared vision for a world-class riverfront neighborhood, KC Current is embarking on a multi-phased, $1 billion privately financed project that will continue its efforts to transform the Missouri Riverfront, extending the fabric of downtown Kansas City, Mo. to its waterfront.
Today’s groundbreaking encompasses a $200 million phase that has 429 multifamily homes, 48,000 square feet of retail, and 2+ acres of riverfront gathering space – including a new town square and a riverfront promenade. Components of the project will deliver throughout 2026.
This development will create a new, waterfront neighborhood that is anchored by CPKC Stadium, Berkley Riverfront Park, and the Missouri River. With a focus on local chefs and restauranteurs, this district will become the new culinary epicenter of our region. This project returns Kansas City to its roots – a city founded on its riverfront, embracing the water once again.
“The KC Current’s first season at CPKC Stadium demonstrated the power of women’s sports and highlighted Kansas Citians’ love of being on the riverfront,” said Angie and Chris Long, co-founders and co-owners of the KC Current. “Our district project will bring apartment homes, restaurants, bars, and businesses back to the water – it will transform our skyline and make Kansas City’s waterfront the new hub for energy in our city. We are thrilled to continue our investment in the Berkley Riverfront to create a world-class waterfront for generations to come.”
Laura Ricketts, Owner, Marquee Development, said, “Marquee Development is proud to partner on this transformational project which embodies the future of urban development in Kansas City while celebrating the rise of women's sports. The development aligns with our vision to invest in spaces that connect fans and neighbors to create vibrant new communities.”
Jon Stephens, CEO of Port KC, said, “Port KC’s goal has always been a walkable, vibrant, activated neighborhood where a community could grow. The Missouri River was once the heart of the city, and our vision was to restore Kansas City’s connection to its birthplace. We have added trails, amenities, housing and more. Now, thanks to the Current, this new dynamic district will supercharge the Berkley Riverfront like never before.”
Palmer Square Real Estate Management and Marquee Development are Co- Developers of the project. VCC Construction is the General Contractor for this project. Klover Architects serves as the Architect of Record alongside Perkins Eastman as the Design Architect.
Learn more and sign up for updates at www.kcriverfront.com. Media assets including renderings and logos can be found here.
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About the Kansas City Current
Founded in December 2020, the Kansas City Current is led by the ownership group of Angie Long, Chris Long, Brittany Mahomes, and Patrick Mahomes. The team competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Kansas City Current opened the first stadium purpose-built for a professional women’s soccer team on March 16, 2024, in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,500. Learn more about the Kansas City Current at www.kansascitycurrent.com.
About Palmer Square Real Estate Management & Palmer Square Capital Management
Palmer Square Real Estate Management (“Palmer Square Real Estate”) is an affiliate and the real estate vertical of Palmer Square Capital Management (“Palmer Square”). Palmer Square Real Estate manages all development and acquisitions activities on behalf of a diverse set of clients, including the Kansas City Current soccer club. In addition to a focus on traditional ground-up development, financings, and acquisitions, its highly experienced team has expertise in sports-anchored real estate development and complex public-private partnerships.
Founded in 2009 by Christopher Long, with major offices in Kansas City and London, Palmer Square manages over $33 billion in fixed income/credit investments on behalf of a diverse client base inclusive of institutional investors, wealth management firms, and high net worth individuals (as of 12/31/24). The firm primarily focuses on Opportunistic Credit, Income Strategies, Private Credit, and CLOs while offering many product opportunities, including mutual funds, exchange traded funds, separately managed accounts, private partnerships, CLOs, and a publicly traded Business Development Company, Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (NYSE: PSBD).
For more information, please visit www.palmersquarecap.com.
About Marquee Development
Marquee Development is a mixed-use real estate developer and event company that specializes in building and operating entertainment districts adjacent to sports and cultural venues. Their expertise spans all phases of development, operations, hospitality, and ongoing event programming supported by marketing and media. Born of sports team ownership, Marquee is known for thinking like owners and creating as operators. Their destinations and guest experiences drive long-term value creation—inspiring neighbors and visitors to return again and again, year-round. Discover more at www.marqueedevelopment.com.
About Port KC
Port KC’s mission is to grow the economy of Kansas City through transportation, logistics and revitalization. Our agility, efficiency and cultivated partnerships enable us to create a more globally connected and competitive Kansas City. Our investment in the community strengthens our city and helps build a place for all Kansas Citians. For more information, please visit www.portkc.com.
About VCC Construction
Founded in 1987, VCC has established itself as a nationally recognized general contractor across the United States dedicated to serving our clients with unwavering commitment. With 8 offices nationwide and licensure in all 50 states, VCC brings deep expertise across diverse sectors, including multifamily residential, retail, entertainment, sports, hospitality, healthcare, institutional, storage and office projects. Our portfolio spans both new construction and renovations, demonstrating our versatility and commitment to quality in every endeavor.
Our foundation is built upon decades of enduring relationships guided by principles of trust, teamwork, open communication, and value-added solutions which are central to our corporate fabric. VCC offers comprehensive commercial construction services, including pre-construction, design-build, construction management, and general contracting. Our vision is to lead with operational excellence through innovative solutions, exceptional people, and outstanding performance. Discover more about our services and projects at www.VCCUSA.com.
About Klover Architects
Klover Architects is an award-winning, full-service architectural firm with over 35 years of experience in designing mixed-use developments, multi-family residential, office, retail, and restaurants. Our mission is to maintain a high standard of design and quality of services to assure the success of our clients. We understand that our success only happens if our clients are successful and because of that, we have maintained long-term relationships with many clients for decades. Klover is professionally registered in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. To learn more please visit www.klover.net.
About Perkins Eastman
Perkins Eastman is a global design firm founded on the belief that design can have a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. The firm’s award-winning practice draws on its 1,000 professionals networked across 24 studios worldwide. By keeping the user’s needs foremost in the design process, the firm enhances the human experience across the spectrum of the built environment. For more information, visit www.perkinseastman.com.
Kansas City Current Announces Plans for Riverfront Mixed-Use District
Ongoing investment in Missouri Riverfront and enhanced community experience are priorities for project
Next phase of KC Current’s investment in Berkley Riverfront Park aims to connect Kansas Citians with the Missouri Riverfront
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 22, 2024) — The Kansas City Current, in collaboration with Palmer Square Capital Management, Marquee Development, and the Port Authority of Kansas City, Mo. (“Port KC”), unveiled plans for the next phase of its transformational development on the Missouri Riverfront in downtown Kansas City. Building upon the opening of CPKC Stadium, the first purpose-built women’s professional sports stadium in the world, the Current will develop a mixed-use district anchored by the stadium, Berkley Riverfront Park, and the Missouri Riverfront.
To continue the KC Current’s unprecedented commitment to women’s sports and the Kansas City region, this next phase will add $200mm+ in private funding, with all phases of the development exceeding $800mm in total investment. The project will break ground at the end of 2024, targeting a 2026 completion date.
The development will extend the fabric of Kansas City directly to the water’s edge, providing a one-of-a-kind, pedestrian-focused experience for Berkley Riverfront residents, KC Current fans, and visitors alike. Along with adding hundreds of multi-family residential units to the neighborhood, the project will create new public gathering and recreational spaces intended for all Kansas Citians – including a new town square and a riverfront promenade – continuing the work by Port KC to bring life and vibrancy to the Missouri Riverfront. Food and beverage offerings will showcase local restauranteurs, creating a new destination for the community and unique amenities for adjacent neighborhoods. The public gathering areas will be programmed year-round, with family-friendly events like movie nights, food festivals, fitness classes, live music, and more.
The district will attract more visitors to the Berkley Riverfront area and drive economic growth, housing opportunities, and job creation for Kansas City and the State of Missouri. An economic impact study estimates the first phase of this project will deliver over $210mm and $310mm of City and State economic output, respectively, over 30 years. Additionally, 10% of residential units across all phases of the development will be set aside for residents at a 50% Area Median Income affordability threshold – creating hundreds of new affordable units for the City across all phases of the development.
Angie Long, co-founder and co-owner of the KC Current said, “Kansas City was founded at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. With the next phase of our investment in Berkley Riverfront Park, our goal is to reconnect Kansas Citians to their riverfront, bringing even more energy and activity to the water. We believe this foundational investment will benefit our community for years to come and cement the Berkley Riverfront as one of Kansas City’s great neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike.”
Chris Long, co-founder and co-owner of the KC Current, said, “Cities around the world have recognized the power of embracing their waterfront. The Missouri River is one of Kansas City’s crown jewels and our project aims to create an experience unlike any other for our fans, residents, and all Kansas Citians. We are creating an experience on par with some of the best waterfront redevelopment projects in the country. The Berkley Riverfront is the front door to Kansas City and our aim is to make it a world-class destination for all in our region.”
Raven Jemison, President of the KC Current, noted, “We are proud of the team of globally recognized experts in sports-anchored and waterfront development that we’ve assembled for this project. This thoughtful investment will not only benefit the city and our players, but ultimately create a more welcoming environment for our fans – a place they’re proud to call home and show up to cheer on the team. We look forward to creating a place that is authentically ‘Kansas City’ with our team.”
Jon Stephens, President & CEO of Port KC, said, “The long-neglected Kansas City Riverfront has been reenergized in recent years through thoughtful investments by Port KC and our partners. From trails to murals, housing to hotels, we have set the stage for what a vibrant riverfront should be for all Kansas Citians. Our partnership with the KC Current and this world-class development team is supercharging our vision of a walkable, creative, diverse, and exciting public space. The conversation about Berkley Riverfront has now turned from what could be, to what will be.”
Marquee Development will serve as Co-Master Developer of the project alongside the Kansas City Current. With expertise in sports-adjacent mixed-use districts, Marquee’s notable projects include Gallagher Way next to Wrigley Field, North Loop Green in Minneapolis, and the FC Cincinnati West End Mixed-Use District, and a community plaza development at the New Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
The Current has engaged Perkins Eastman as the Architect for this endeavor. The Perkins Eastman team brings significant expertise from their work on world-class waterfront projects and transit integrated mixed-use districts, including The Wharf in Washington, D.C., Target Field Station in Minneapolis, MN, Canalside in Buffalo, NY, and Battery Park City in New York.
Learn more and sign up for updates at www.kcriverfront.com.
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About the Kansas City Current
Founded in December 2020, the Kansas City Current is led by the ownership group of Angie Long, Chris Long, Brittany Mahomes, and Patrick Mahomes. The team competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Kansas City Current opened the first stadium purpose-built for a professional women’s soccer team on March 16, 2024, in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,500. Learn more about the Kansas City Current at www.kansascitycurrent.com.
About Palmer Square Capital Management
Founded in 2009 by Chris Long, with major offices in Kansas City and London, Palmer Square Capital Management manages over $30 billion in fixed income and credit investments on behalf of institutional, wealth management, and family office clients (as of January 31, 2024). The firm oversees strategies across opportunistic credit, income, private credit, and CLOs and has a product offering that includes mutual funds, separately managed accounts, private partnerships, CLOs, and a publicly listed business development company, Palmer Square Capital BDC (NYSE: PSBD). For more information, please visit www.palmersquarecap.com.
About Marquee Development
Marquee Development is a mixed-use real estate developer and event company that specializes in building and operating entertainment districts adjacent to sports and cultural venues. Their expertise spans all phases of development, operations, hospitality, and ongoing event programming supported by marketing and media. Born of sports team ownership, Marquee is known for thinking like owners and creating as operators. Their destinations and guest experiences drive long-term value creation—inspiring neighbors and visitors to return again and again, year-round. Discover more at www.marqueedevelopment.com.
About Port KC
Port KC’s mission is to grow the economy of Kansas City through transportation, logistics and revitalization. Our agility, efficiency and cultivated partnerships enable us to create a more globally connected and competitive Kansas City. Our investment in the community strengthens our city and helps build a place for all Kansas Citians. For more information, please visit www.portkc.com.
About Perkins Eastman
Perkins Eastman is a global design firm founded on the belief that design can have a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. The firm’s award-winning practice draws on its 1,000 professionals networked across 24 studios worldwide. By keeping the user’s needs foremost in the design process, the firm enhances the human experience across the spectrum of the built environment. For more information, visit www.perkinseastman.com.