Barney Allis Plaza

Located in the heart of Downtown Kansas City, the Barney Allis Plaza Redevelopment Project is being transformed into a lively, public gathering space that embodies the City’s creativity, community spirit, and forward-thinking growth. The one-block urban park will also sit atop a fully-reconstructed parking garage equipped with modern accessibility and an overall urban experience. Framed by the Kansas City Convention Center, the historic Folly Theater, the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium, and a dynamic skyline of hotels and offices, the revitalized plaza will serve as a vibrant hub for community engagement and connectivity.

Originally constructed in 1954 as a dual-use parking garage and rooftop public space, Barney Allis Plaza had fallen into deep disrepair over the past few decades. By the time it was demolished in 2024, more than half of the structure’s 975 parking spaces were closed due to safety concerns. In partnership with HOK, McCown Gordon, and LM2 Construction, Taliaferro & Browne was engaged to provide design services as Kansas City reimagines the plaza into a vibrant, public space for the next generation.

The area will include a dog park, play space, event space, and accessibility elements to ensure an inclusive experience. Spanning approximately five acres, the project area is bordered by 12th Street to the north, 13th Street to the south, Central Street to the west, and Wyandotte Street to the east. With its central location and direct access to major highways, Barney Allis Plaza serves as a key connection point within Kansas City’s convention, entertainment, and business districts. This redevelopment is a necessary investment to maintain the site’s structural stability while ensuring it remains a valuable downtown asset.

Taliaferro & Browne is proud to contribute to this landmark redevelopment project, reinforcing our commitment to shaping Kansas City’s built environment through innovative, community-focused engineering solutions. In addition to site surveying, our civil engineering team provided comprehensive services throughout the project, including demolition plans, utility coordination, new garage and plaza utility services, and public streetscape, including traffic calming.