A Downtown for the Future

The 2024 Downtown Blue Springs Master Plan was developed with residents and stakeholders to strengthen Downtown’s image and create opportunities for culture, commerce, and connection.

City Council unanimously adopted the plan on March 18, 2024, following public meetings and community input. The plan focuses on:

  • Distinct areas: Strategies for the railside, lumber yard, Downtown core, East Main, and Central Park.
  • Mobility: Improved walkability and parking options.
  • Neighborhoods: Enhancements to surrounding areas, including housing availability.
  • Building facades: Strategies for building and business owners to improve Downtown facades.

In August 2024, voters approved a $40 million bond for City improvements, including $5 million for Downtown Blue Springs capital improvements.

Explore the revitalization initiatives below for more information.

Revitalization Initiatives

Sidewalks along Main Street between 7 Hwy and 15th Street will be widened to 12 feet and include an additional two feet of stamped, decorative concrete between the sidewalk and street. All streetlights along this area will be replaced and additional streetlights will be added between Main Street and 11th Street to serve as a corridor to Central Park. Pedestrian bump outs will be added along Main Street intersections to shorten crosswalks and improve visibility between pedestrians and drivers. 
Several ADA accessibility conflicts existing along Main Street prior to improvements, including sidewalk gaps, cracked/broken surface material and tripping hazards, will be addressed through rebuilding all sidewalks, streets and crosswalks.
It was previously assumed that any improvements to the design of Main Street would reduce parking availability. Working through the site plan design, City staff were able to produce a design that maintains the same number of striped parking spaces on Main Street (from 7 Hwy to 15th Street) while still widening sidewalks. The core of Downtown will feature both angled and parallel parking, further improving visibility for drivers. 

Additionally, the City purchased the Smith Street parking lot for additional downtown parking.

Downtown Blue Springs parking options
Central Park, located at SW Walnut Street and SW 10th Street, is being reenvisioned to better serve the downtown area and its surrounding neighborhoods. Phase I, completed in August 2026, saw the addition of a 1/3-mile paved walking trail around Central Park's pond and parking lot improvements. Future phases include the addition of a shelter, small playground, gathering space and restrooms. Central Park improvements are supported by the Parks Sales Tax Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.