On April 21, 2005, the landscape of Kansas City’s downtown saw another dramatic change when the landmark Jones Store signs on the northeast corner of 12th and Main streets were removed by demolition crews that will soon begin work on the former Jones Store building.

The commemrative event was led by a ceremony that included Mayor Kay Barnes, City Manager Wayne Cauthen, members of the City Council, and the developers of the entertainment district.

The City Council approved a contract with B&R Insulation Inc. on April 7 for the demolition of the building. The $3.4 million contract was awarded to B&R Insulation Inc. with AT Abatement as the abatement subcontractor. The demolition will take about 160 days with work starting within the next two weeks. When fully developed, this block (12th Street to 13th Street and Main Street to Walnut Street) will include a grocery store, athletic club, parking facilities and residential units.

Located between Kansas City’s Bartle Hall Convention Center expansion and the new Sprint Center, the entertainment district will cover seven city blocks. The mixed-use development will include more than 3 million square feet of destination entertainment and shopping venues; and residential, office and parking spaces, making it one of the largest downtown development projects in the Midwest.

The City’s Capital Improvements Management Office is managing the City’s environmental, demolition and infrastructure improvement efforts to support the new downtown entertainment district, and is assisting with the coordination between other City agencies and the developers of the district.