The KC Streetcar is a free two-mile modern streetcar system that runs through the heart of downtown Kansas City, connecting Union Station to the River Market. As Kansas City’s first modern streetcar, it played a key role in improving mobility, boosting economic development, and setting the stage for future transit expansion.

When construction began on the KC Streetcar, there was no in-house communications consultant, businesses along the route were worried about disruptions, and many in the community doubted whether a modern streetcar could succeed in Kansas City. Parson + Associates (P+A) stepped in to provide clear, accurate, and timely information.

Clear Communication, Stronger Relationships

Business owners along Main Street feared construction – where would customers park? Would the changing traffic patterns, detour routes, and general noise and disruption of construction drive their customers away? To mitigate these fears, P+A made it a priority to keep them informed and engaged throughout the process. Each day, we attended the daily gameplan, a contractor meeting that was held to ensure everyone on the project was coordinated. The P+A team attended all of these meetings to gather the latest information, then made calls and distributed notices to impacted stakeholders.

We also went door-to-door to impacted businesses to address concerns, answer questions, and ensure they had a point of contact. With a dedicated hotline phone, we streamlined communication between the project team and the public, making it easy to answer questions or concerns quickly.

Keeping the Community Informed on Traffic Route Impacts

With construction happening in a high-traffic area, we needed to make sure the public knew what to expect. P+A created easy-to-understand maps and alerts to help businesses and commuters navigate traffic changes and detours.

We met audiences where they were at, sharing progress reports through social media, newsletters, and press releases. By including photos and videos of key milestones, from underground work to rail installation, we informed the community about the progress happening beneath their feet.

Shaping the Media Narrative

Initially, media coverage was largely negative, with news crews showing up a couple of times a month to highlight frustrations. We changed the conversation by proactively sharing project updates. For example, our video of the rail pull generated three media requests in one day, shifting the focus from concerns to excitement.

A QR code located on workers’ hardhats connected media representatives directly to the P+A team. By working with the media, we secured a feature in the Kansas City Star that took a deep dive into the project and showcased the expertise of the project team.

Celebrating Milestones

Rather than letting construction feel like an inconvenience, we turned key moments into celebrations that brought the community together. P+A coordinated events with the Streetcar Authority, featuring food, drinks, and a chance for the community to celebrate progress.

A Shift Toward Success

In large-scale projects, communication isn’t just about sharing updates, it’s about building trust, reducing frustration, and ensuring the community feels heard. Our work on the KC Streetcar proved that the right approach to engagement can turn even the toughest challenges into a success story.