KC Water partnered with KC Parks and Kansas City University (KCU) to reduce sewer overflows with green infrastructure solutions. This included a new stormwater collection system provided by KC Parks for Independence Avenue and The Paseo that directs stormwater runoff from roadways into KC Water’s extended wet detention basins. 

The basins capture stormwater before it gets into the combined sewer system. Now complete, this project — in collaboration with the KC Parks roadway improvements project and KCU campus updates — revitalizes the area, improves the capacity of the wastewater collection system, and reduces the volume of sewer overflows into local waterways. 

Project Links:

• Download the project fact sheet
• Find out more about the Smart Sewer Program
• Find out more about KC Water's Green Infrastructure program
  
  

What work was done?

KC Water's portion of this project included:

• Providing natural landscaping
• Constructing two extended wet detention basins within the public right-of-way/adjacent to
  the KCU campus
• Sharing maintenance responsibilities with KC Parks and KCU 
  
  

Why is green infrastructure part of this?

Green infrastructure helps our community manage stormwater the way nature intended by capturing and utilizing rainwater where it falls. It decreases the amount of water getting into our sewer system, improves water quality, and reduces flooding, pollution, and trash in our creeks, streams, and rivers. Green infrastructure is also a starting place for other important community improvements, including replacing walking trails, expanding the tree canopy, and creating new amenities that benefit your community. 

What was the timeline?

The KC Water portion of this project began in the fall of 2024 and was completed in June 2026.

Who did the work?

KC Water was assisted by its program manager, Burns & McDonnell; its design professional, McClure; and its construction contractor; MegaKC. KC Parks constructed the roadway improvements, stormwater collection system, and mass earthwork in the area through its construction contractor, Amino Brothers. 

What was the contract amount?

The budget for the Green Infrastructure 1-2: Paseo Gateway/KCU project was approximately $6,800,000.
 

Why are we doing the work?

In 2010, the City of Kansas City, Missouri entered into a federal Consent Decree with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the volume of overflows from the City’s sewer system. KC Water’s Smart Sewer program is a 30-year effort to address this challenge. The Green Infrastructure 1-2: Paseo Gateway/Kansas City University Project is one of more than 100 projects being implemented by the Smart Sewer program, and is required by the Consent Decree to be completed by December 2026.