City requests proposals to redevelop Historic Plaza tennis courts site

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City is looking at options to redevelop the Historic Plaza tennis courts.

The city is seeking developers and redevelopment ideas for the site, which is located in the heart of Country Club Plaza.

“There are a lot of people out here and around here that play tennis here, and our team UMKC and Rockhurst play here, so we need the courts,” said Rockhurst University tennis player Cece Ulrich.

Before any projects proceed to formal votes, the city will have extensive conversations with neighborhood leaders, stakeholders, and the board of parks and recreation commissioners.

“We will have a vigorous community engagement process where we will have to go through at least a couple of votes through City Council and the Parks Board to make sure that we’ve got the right oversight and transparency here,” said Kansas City City Manager Brian Platt. “But we do want to make sure that wherever we go, it’s the vision of the neighborhood and the people that live there, use the plaza and work on the Plaza. So we will have a lot of additional follow-up meetings and community engagement opportunities.”

The request for proposals process aims to give city leaders a better idea of what could be possible so they can start conversations with the community and other stakeholders.

“So, we think that there is a much better use for the property, which is the tennis courts on the Country Club Plaza,” Platt explained. “There’s a lot of people in the area, but they desire more from the plaza. We’re trying to make it a destination for people to come from, not just Kansas City but also the region. We think that it could be more housing, more restaurants, more retail, all the things that make a community in a neighborhood thrive.“

The city would like to see proposals that include plans to relocate the existing tennis courts.

“We’re not sure exactly where they would go, but we hope that we can preserve that asset and move it to a different location while adding more activities and amenities on that site,” Platt said.

Some tennis players say the current location is ideal.

“It would be so sad because everybody here loves playing tennis, and we also have scholarships. So for us international (students), we don’t have cars. So driving here is like five minutes, or people can walk; it’s only a 10-minute walk,” said Rockhurst University tennis player Sofia Valdespino. “So for us, it’s really easy to come here. So it would be super sad because we love coming to the plaza. It is such a nice place to come and play and enjoy our tennis here.”

A spokesperson for the Country Club Plaza told FOX4:

“Given the tennis courts’ close proximity to the Plaza, we will, of course, thoughtfully review the City’s Request for Proposals in conjunction with our long-term vision for the Plaza. Ultimately, we welcome the opportunity to work with the future development and continue our commitment to improve the urban fabric of Kansas City and the Plaza for everyone,” said Victoria Snee, Chief Marketing Officer for HP Village Management, LLC.

“I think they should just keep it like it is. Maybe in other areas, it is needed, but not right here. Don’t do that to them,” said James Olden, who works near the Plaza. “I’ve been coming down here all the time, and there are always people down here. It could be Sunday morning, and they’ll be out here at 7 a.m.; you’ll see people play.”

The city would like to see development proposals that include:

• Residential multi-family units, including income-restricted affordable units.
• Relocation of the existing tennis court facilities.
• Transit-oriented, high-density development with minimal parking, leveraging the adjacent streetcar station.
• Ground floor retail, public space, and other public amenities determined through neighborhood feedback.
• Design elements reflecting the historic Plaza’s architectural style as well as placemaking, walkability, sidewalks, and safe crossings for pedestrians.
• Robust community engagement and neighborhood activation.

Proposals must be submitted through the City’s RFP/bid online platform no later than 11:59 PM on Friday November 1, 2024. Developers can access all necessary documents, submit questions, and upload proposals here .

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