Coming into downtown Parkville on westbound Route 9, drivers reach a split at the Triangle. One lane goes straight into a four-way intersection. The other bears right and continues north alongside Main Street. Eastbound traffic splits the same way. Part of it heads to the intersection, and part keeps left and stops for cars coming out of downtown on First Street. Redefine Route 9 is meant to end that arrangement. At this stage, most of the remaining public decisions concern the size of a bench, the type of street light and the placement of trees.
The road itself was decided over a year ago. The Parkville Board of Aldermen picked Concept B by a 7–1 vote on July 1, 2025, as FOX4 reported. The community survey now open covers the space Concept B leaves behind. First Street will become a pedestrian promenade, and the survey asks how it should look and work. Responses are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The Route That Was Already Settled
Concept B adds a new street so through traffic stops passing where people walk between Main Street and First Street. The Platte County Landmark describes the route this way:
- A new traffic signal on Route 9, placed between Southern Platte Fire Protection District Station 1 and the fountain in front of White Farmhouse Flowers & Gifts at 8701 NW River Park Drive.
- A new road that leaves Route 9 at that signal and runs behind the fire station.
- A connection to South East Street north of the railroad tracks.
- A link from there to Main Street.
- First Street closes to cars and becomes a promenade.
Platte County's design agreement adds more detail. It calls for a 10-foot shared-use path on the east side of the corridor, sidewalks on the west side, marked crosswalks, traffic-control changes at First Street and Route 9, extra turn lanes, curb and gutter work, and street lighting. A July 2026 project summary says both existing railroad crossings between downtown and the riverfront will stay. KSHB reported that the revised plan adds ADA-compliant parking north of the tracks. When asked how people would safely walk from that parking, the mayor told KSHB the city had worked with BNSF and planned a pedestrian gate.
Some details are still missing from the public materials. The text does not give a final lane count, lane widths, a number of parking spaces or a detour plan. Route 9 is also still a state highway. KSHB reported in May 2026 that MoDOT has final authority over it, including day-to-day maintenance.
What the Survey Still Asks
With the route settled, the September 30 open house at City Hall focused on smaller design choices. Chris Cline, a senior principal at Confluence who lives in Parkville, told the Landmark, "We are really getting down to the bells and whistles of the project." The display boards covered options down to the style of Parkville sign and the grates around street trees.
Here is what the survey asks residents to choose among:
| Question | Options on the survey |
|---|---|
| Overall promenade plan | Promenade Option 1, Promenade Option 2, or neither |
| Street trees | Both sides of Main Street, east side only, or none |
| Seating | Limestone seatwall, picnic tables, precast bench with wood mount, or table and chairs |
| Lighting | Artistic lighting, two string-light designs, or underlit precast benches |
| String-light reach | Promenade only, extended into the existing pocket park on Main Street, or spanning across Main and East streets |
| Outdoor dining | Level of support for privately leased outdoor dining for adjacent businesses within the promenade |
The outdoor dining question could matter most once the project is finished. If businesses next to the promenade can lease space for outdoor dining, part of First Street could function as restaurant patio space. If not, the space stays general public seating. The seating options lead in different directions too. A limestone seatwall is permanent. Tables and chairs can be moved around for events. The survey leaves those decisions to residents.
Why Most of the Clock Runs Behind the Fire Station
City officials list aging infrastructure as one reason for the project. Mayor Dean Katerndahl told the Landmark that some of downtown's infrastructure is almost 150 years old. Ward 3 Alderman Douglas Wylie said a sewer line runs partly under First Street, along with an old steam pipe from the former power plant. "If we are going to have to tear up the road to get to the sewer and the steam pipe, then we might as well fix up downtown too," Wylie said.
The construction schedule has moved over time. In February 2025, FOX4 reported a target of construction between 2026 and 2028. As of October 2026, final plans are expected in spring 2027 once right-of-way review, land acquisition and federal-aid steps are complete. Wylie told the Landmark that work is expected to start in spring 2027 with the new connector. He also said most of the roughly 18-month construction period will be spent on that new street.
Because of that order of work, much of the first phase happens behind Fire Station 1 instead of in front of Main Street shops. Wylie said downtown work will be done in sections. "We want all businesses on Main Street to stay open," he said. "So, while there may be construction outside one or two of the businesses, it will only last a few weeks." The mayor said the city expected to hire a firm whose only job would be communicating with residents and business owners during construction.
How the City Plans to Pay for It
As of July 2026, the City of Parkville estimated the downtown project at $18,288,585. Construction is $13,052,110 of that. Engineering and planning is $2,603,404, inspection is $1,305,211, and right-of-way plus contingency is $1,327,860. The city's proposed funding sources are:
- $3,200,000 in federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds through MARC
- $1,787,950 from MoDOT's Governor's Transportation Cost Share program
- $500,000 from Platte County's Road and Bridge Sales Tax
- $2,135,000 in Use Tax transfers and $165,635 in interest income
- $10,500,000 in debt financing
Grants and the county contribution cover about $5.5 million. Borrowing covers the largest share. According to the city's plan, the debt would be repaid from the street-capital portion of Parkville's existing Use Tax, which is 64% of that tax. Annual debt payments of about $815,000 would begin in 2029 and run through 2049. Until 2029, the city plans to put $600,000 a year of Use Tax revenue directly into the project. Through May 2026, engineering had cost $998,891.
A Downtown Still Debating the Plan
Downtown is divided on the project. The Landmark reported that some Main Street business owners have collected more than 150 signatures on a petition against it, though the petition had not been submitted to the city. They told the paper they doubt the construction timeline the city has given. In July 2026, FOX4 talked with a downtown shop owner worried about short-term construction losses. It also talked with a restaurant co-owner who sees the promenade as a possible improvement. Earlier, the Platte County Citizen reported that the Southern Platte Fire Protection District had concerns about rail right-of-way and room for fire trucks to maneuver.
"This is a big, complicated project," Katerndahl told the Landmark. "And we have had two years of discussions on it." Parkville has already finished other segments under the 2016 Route 9 Corridor Study, including the stretch from Highway 45 to Lakeview Drive. The mayor pointed to its improved sidewalks and the longer walking route it created for Riss Lake residents.
The String Lights and the Pocket Park
One survey question connects to this year's holiday calendar. The survey asks whether promenade string lights should extend into the existing pocket park on Main Street. That same Pocket Park will host Parkville's first annual Mayor's Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. Small Business Saturday is the same day, and downtown is running a shopping passport promotion. The survey closes four weeks and a day before that, on October 30.
Downtown changes like these can affect how buyers see the homes around them. If you're wondering how Redefine Route 9 might factor into a future sale near Main Street or Riss Lake, Sweeney Team KC is glad to walk through it with you. You can start with a free instant home valuation, and we'll keep you updated as the construction schedule firms up.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your situation.
