Throughout the design process the project team, in collaboration with the three project partners (Port KC, the Downtown Council, and City of Kansas City) encouraged public participation in the Roy Blunt Luminary Park project (formerly the South Loop Project) for collective success. Past phases of the project included formulating ideas for park programming, advancing the park concept through preliminary design, and conducting environmental analysis in line with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Public participation was a key component and focused on engagement with stakeholders at key milestones throughout the project. The goals of public participation were to:

• Foster community engagement to increase awareness and knowledge about project plans.
• Elicit feedback about potential park amenities, usage, and features.
• Confirm the project vision, purpose and need.

Multiple public meetings were held through out the entire design process.

Public Meeting #1: Tuesday, March 7, 2023

• Recap #1: You shared, we listened: Learn what people prefer for the South Loop Project

Public Meeting #2: Tuesday, April 11, 2023

• Presentation video
• Recap #2: View the three design concepts

Public Meeting #3: Tuesday, September 19, 2023

• Presentation video
• Recap #3: South Loop Project reveals latest park design concept

Public Meeting #4: Thursday, February 13, 2025

• Recap #4: Fourth public meeting presented Environmental Assessment results

Special Use Permit Public Meeting #5: Thursday, April 23, 2026

Roadshow: Summer of 2023

• To raise awareness of the project and gather comments, ​team ​members attended pop-up events, neighborhood meetings, and community events.