H&R Block Chairman and CEO Mark Ernst and Mayor Kay Barnes announced Sept. 15 as the construction start date for H&R Block’s new world headquarters.

At the announcement at the future sight of the project, Ernst and Mayor Barnes spoke of the collaborative efforts among government, business, and community organizations in revitalizing Kansas City’s downtown.

 “This is a thrilling day for all of Kansas City,” Mayor Barnes said. “Starting construction on the new home for H&R Block’s world headquarters will bring us all that much closer to what will soon be a thriving downtown with new jobs and revenue.”

Serving as the anchor for the downtown Kansas City Live! entertainment district, the new H&R Block world headquarters project will be a 17-story office building that has 500,000 square feet of rentable space at the corner of 13^th and Main streets. An adjacent amenities structure at the corner of 13^th and Walnut streets will be an underground, 1,050-spot parking structure.

 “This is a once in a generation opportunity to do downtown revitalization right,” Ernst said. “This is about not only improving Kansas City’s economic growth, but also improving Kansas City’s quality of life.”

 Coupled with the proposed entertainment district and proposed downtown arena, the performing arts center, Bartle Hall expansion, and other private sector investments, this revitalization effort will bring in more than $1 billion in new and proposed construction projects.