Kansas City continues showing St. Louis and other metro areas that it is possible to revitalize a long-neglected but historic Black neighborhood and business hub.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum opened in 1990 in the 18th and Vine district as a cornerstone of a prospective neighborhood turnaround. Time passed, but smaller businesses — including restaurants, barbershops and clothing boutiques — sprouted in abandoned properties.
As the museum’s popularity grew, so did the neighborhood.
Key to this positive momentum was a return of white Kansas City area residents. They may have known of the neighborhood’s historic past, but their support was needed.
Several multimillion-dollar construction projects have started, and a major stretch of 18th Street is closed as the district is transformed.
The Boone Theater, an abandoned structure that once hosted the greatest Blues musicians in the world, is being renovated. Construction of three housing projects, including one in the nearby Parade Park neighborhood, has started or will begin this summer.
Is anything of this scale happening anywhere north of Delmar in St. Louis? Sadly, the answer is no.
Last week, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, in partnership with Hall of Fame member Reggie Jackson, unveiled renderings for the $53 million expansion, which will include a new museum facility and hotel.
Fittingly, the press conference was held at the Paseo YMCA, where the Negro National League was created in 1920.
The new museum will be constructed next to the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center, which will be housed in the YMCA building.
The hotel is believed to be the first majority Black-owned hotel in Kansas City since the Street Hotel closed in 1960. The Street, which was at 18th and Paseo, was a beacon for Black travelers, performers and athletes.
The announcement was held on the 106th anniversary of Rube Foster’s founding of the Negro National League.
Mayor Quinton Lucas quoted Foster’s words: “We are the ship; all else the sea.”
“We are the ship in America, an America that represents and respects our differences, our cultures, what makes us special. We are the ship that is investing and truly rebuilding our Black communities in Kansas City and around the world.”
Museum President Bob Kendrick said the project’s voyage to completion must include community support to avoid financial headwinds.
The museum has launched a $35 million capital campaign to help fund the 30,000-square-foot expansion.
“The [Negro National League] would go on to operate for 40 years. It would not only change the game of baseball, it would help change this country,” Kendrick said.
“We are counting on each and every one of you … to help us get to this next phase.”
Michael Collins, founder and managing partner of Grayson Capital and project developer, said the Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel will be called “The Pennant,” commemorating the Kansas City Monarchs’ first league title in the city.
Grayson is also building around a city-owned garage at 1819 Lydia Ave., near the new museum, a project that includes 150 luxury apartments and retail space.
Meanwhile in St. Louis, plans for Black neighborhood revitalization have taken a back seat to recovery from the May 16, 2025, tornado.
St. Louis is gathering ideas for growth near the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency West headquarters. Included is a proposed Negro Leagues Baseball Museum satellite facility, which has the support of Bob Kendrick and museum leadership.
Will it happen? It’s a long shot.
The Reid Roundup
Laila Edwards scored two goals during the U.S. women’s hockey team’s dominant march to the gold medal game on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The U.S. will face rival Canada in the title game…Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 32 points across three games in the revamped NBA All-Star Game and was named MVP. The games featured Team Stripes (established NBA players), Team Stars (younger NBA players) and Team World (international NBA players). It worked; the games were competitive…Following the Super Bowl, Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was named head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Mike LaFleur was tabbed for the Arizona Cardinals job. Of the 10 open NFL head coaching positions, zero went to a Black coach.