KC Seeks Public Input on New MLK Pedestrian Bridge

City officials are asking Kansas City residents to weigh in on the design for a new pedestrian bridge that will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and improve access to a popular park named after the civil rights icon.

The planned bridge will cross Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. at Woodland Ave, spanning Brush Creek to connect pedestrians and bicyclists to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Square Park. A public survey opened May 3, and people can vote on their favorite of four proposed design concepts — each with an alternate, for a total of eight designs.

“Whenever we can engage the community and get their input on projects like this, it helps create a stronger sense of ownership,” says Schylon Kubic, a spokesperson for the community engagement team. “People really feel invested when they’ve had a direct say.”

The bridge project stems from efforts by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, who secured $2.8 million in federal funding for its construction. 

Brush Creek has been seen as a barrier separating nearby neighborhoods to the north from the 18-acre park. The pedestrian bridge hopes to allow those residents access to the park without the current half-mile hike around Brush Creek. 

Each of the four design concepts incorporates different materials, lighting elements, and sculptural designs intended to capture King’s legacy. Renderings show sleek, modern bridges made of steel, concrete and glass, with some including overhead arches, LED lighting displays and inscribed concrete panels.

A brief summary of the designs:

• Concept 1 features a simple, curved-arch steel bridge with color-changing LED lighting embedded in the railings. Along the bridge is a metal mesh with LED nodes that can create striking images of King. The alternate shrinks the metal mesh to the top portion of the bridge. 
• Concept 2 is similar but drops the dramatic metal mesh image concept and incorporates sails for visual effects. The alternate has fewer open-air panels and adds an MLK sign and retaining wall. 
• Concept 3 is what planners call a fins keystone bridge with large panel images of King. At the entrance, the design looks much like an open tunnel, and the alternate also incorporates a retaining wall and an MLK sign. 
• Concept 4 is what planners call a precast open-air bridge, which has a lower profile than the other designs. The wrapped panel railings feature images from the civil rights movement and King. The alternate once again adds MLK signage and a retaining wall. 

Kansas City Parks & Rec Board Commissioner Stephenie Smith said the public input process reflects the community’s deep historical ties to King’s legacy of justice and freedom.

“When you see powerful images and names like Dr. King’s, you can’t help but be compelled to ask what you’re doing to improve your community,” said Smith. “This is an opportunity for people’s voices to be heard.”
The parks board intends to present a final design late this summer after reviewing the survey results. If approved, construction could potentially begin in 2025. Residents can vote online at surveymonkey.com/r/mlkpedbridge1  through May 19.