Westport Stormwater Improvements | 2025 Top Projects
The Wesport Stormwater Improvements project in Kansas City's Westport neighborhood was initiated to address flash flooding that caused widespred property damage and posed serious public safety risks. Located in a combined sewer area, the project also supports Kansas City's federally mandated efforts to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and improve local water quality. Westport generates roughly $9.6 million in taxes, over 11 times the citywide average per acre, making it a major economic engine.
The project's greatest challenge was gaining broad stakeholder support for a nontraditional solution. Rather than meeting standard design criteria, the project demonstrated effectiveness by modeling real historic storm events that local residents and businesses could understand. This helped stakeholders successfully lobby for funding by proving the solution would address the flooding that impacts them directly.
Led by the Westport Regional Business League (WRB), the project was a collaborative effort involving city council members, Kansas City Water, Public Works, Kansas City Parks and community groups. Through this cross-agency and community engagement the project addressed water, sewer, stormwater, public right-of-way and historic preservation needs.
The $30 million project is currently under construction and is being delivered via a design-build approach, with Phase 1 set for completion before the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Phase 2 by May 2027.
The project leaders have taken pride in the "right project," a holistic, cost-effective solution that balances technical innovation with community needs. Ultimately, this initiative marks a shift in urban flood management, proving that system-based, data-driven stormwater solutions can deliver long-term resiliency and revitalization for vulnerable urban neighborhoods.
