Reality check

The construction of the North Loop Freeway is a primary and significant cause of the now seemingly abandoned or drastically changed appearance of the area around Main Street and Delaware Street (The Junction) in Kansas City, MO, as depicted in the “then and now” image.

Here’s why:

• Massive Demolition and Disruption: The construction of the North Loop required the demolition of a large number of buildings in the area, including many of the historic structures that made up The Junction’s vibrant commercial and residential fabric in 1906. This created a void and fundamentally altered the streetscape.
• Separation and Isolation: The freeway acts as a physical barrier, separating downtown Kansas City from areas like the River Market and Columbus Park neighborhoods. This physical division reduced connectivity and foot traffic, contributing to a sense of isolation and decline in the immediate vicinity of the freeway.
• Emphasis on Vehicular Traffic: The freeway’s design prioritized automobile access and movement, shifting the focus away from pedestrian activity and the traditional urban functions that once defined The Junction. This contributed to the reduced vibrancy and activity you now observe.
• Long-Term Urban Decay and Disinvestment: The disruption caused by the freeway’s construction and its ongoing presence led to urban decay and disinvestment in surrounding areas, which is a common consequence of urban highway projects that cut through established neighborhoods. 

While recent efforts are underway to revitalize downtown Kansas City and even consider the potential removal or redesign of the North Loop, the current “seemingly abandoned” state of The Junction is a direct and lasting legacy of that ambitious mid-century infrastructure project. 

​Also, if you look closely at the 1906 photo, there is someone at the lower right sweeping up horse poop – sure, cities were beautiful in 1906.