The redevelopment of Barney Allis Plaza is a defining moment for Kansas City. This project will not only bring a vibrant new urban park to the heart of downtown but will also breathe new life into a site rich with history—a place long rooted in gathering, connection, and community.

A Legacy of Gathering

The story of Barney Allis Plaza stretches back well before today’s construction. In February 1899, Kansas City unveiled its first Convention Hall, designed by Fredrick E. Hill, on the Barney Allis Plaza footprint. The hall reflected the city’s rapid growth and ambition, emerging as a centerpiece for entertainment, political events, and business gatherings. It drew visitors from around the world and put Kansas City on the map as a rising international destination.

That legacy nearly ended in April 1900, when the Convention Hall was destroyed by fire, just three months before it was set to host the Democratic National Convention. But through relentless advocacy, swift fundraising, and insurance recovery, Kansas Citians rebuilt the hall in an astonishing 90 days. The “Kansas City Spirit” prevailed, and the city went on to host the convention as planned.

The rebuilt hall continued to shine, later welcoming the Republican National Convention in 1928, and cementing Kansas City’s reputation as a premier convention city in the United States. It was later torn down in 1936, to build parking for the new Municipal Auditorium.

The Era of Barney Allis

In 1931, hotelier Barney Allis acquired the Muehlebach Hotel, a 12-story brick landmark at 12th Street and Baltimore Avenue. As owner and manager, Allis transformed the hotel into one of Kansas City’s most prominent gathering places, welcoming cultural icons like Helen Keller, Ernest Hemingway, Babe Ruth, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. The hotel also served as a home away from home for U.S. Presidents, including Harry Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson. Today, the Muehlebach is part of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.

From Convention Hall to Parking Plaza

In 1936, the Convention Hall was torn down to make room for a parking lot for the new Municipal Auditorium, a multipurpose facility which opened in 1935. Further development soon followed.

In 1953, the City Plan Commission unveiled drawings of the proposed Municipal Parking Garage in a presentation titled The Kansas City of the Future. The $3.6 million project called for three levels of underground parking, 1,200 spaces, and a public park above. By 1955, both the Municipal Auditorium Garage and the plaza were complete.

A Legacy Remembered

In 1962, Barney Allis, who then lived in the Muehlebach hotel, passed away at the age of 62. To honor his enduring impact on the city, Mayor H. Roe Bartle and the City Council voted to rename Auditorium Plaza as Barney Allis Plaza. The dedication ceremony, held on October 15, 1962, cemented his legacy in the heart of downtown Kansas City.

The Modern Era

As early as the 1970s, the plaza’s design – elevated above street grade and accessible by stairs at the corners – was questioned by civic leaders. Various replacement options were considered including a new convention center or a downtown arena. Ultimately the plaza was redesigned and rededicated in 1985.

In the early 2000s, the plaza hosted the Kansas City Explorers, a World TeamTennis team, and various tennis exhibitions, featuring stars like Billie Jean King and Elton John.

In 2017, the city hired an engineering consultant to analyze the condition and safety of the garage. , and By 2018, the Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel conducted a study recommending the demolition and full replacement of the garage and plaza.

In March 2021, the City Council passed an ordinance authorizing funding to enter into a design-build agreement to redevelop the Barney Allis plaza, garage and perimeter with McCownGordon Construction and HOK Architects.

The garage was permanently closed in February 2024, followed by a project groundbreaking in June 2024. Demolition began in August 2024. The project is expected to be completed in 2026, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.