Work on a project to address soil erosion on the east side of the grounds at the National WWI Museum and Memorial will begin within the next month in a joint project announced by the Museum and Memorial and KC Parks.
The hillside adjacent to the Museum and Memorial along Main Street has gradually degraded since an existing hill was cut to provide a traffic way for Main Street more than 90 years ago. The $2.5 million project will address the hillside and offer a solution to the erosion and slippage.
The project is anticipated for a duration of 6-8 months. During construction, it is anticipated that two lanes of Main Street will be closed to allow for heavy equipment and staging. Gould Evans will develop initial plans for the slope stabilization project with JE Dunn Construction set to execute the project.
The hillside’s geology includes three layers of soil: shale, Argentine limestone and Raymore rock. The shale layer is 21 feet tall and is currently exposed on the hillside. The shale is the primary contributor to the degradation and will be removed.
A 558-foot long soil nail wall system will be added to the exposed face of the shale to bridge the two stable limestone layers and will protect the hillside from further decline. The soil nail wall will vary in height from 5 feet to 21 feet and will have a natural contoured finish and color to complement the existing stone outcroppings along Main Street. Additionally, another 100 feet of space will be regraded.
Funds for the project will be sourced from the Museum and Memorial endowment fund with the remaining funds allocated from KC Parks Funds and the GO Bond Fund. The project was approved at the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
About Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation
Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation provides facilities, programs and recreational opportunities for the community that contribute to an aesthetically pleasing environment and enhanced quality of life. The department maintains 221 parks, 12,242 acres of parkland, 158 miles of trails and bikeways, 29 lakes, hundreds of athletic fields and tennis courts, 106 playgrounds, and five public golf courses. Miles of scenic boulevards and parkways crisscross the city, where 48 fountains and 122 monuments and sculptures surprise and delight. Ten community centers, along with eight museums, provide the setting for socially equitable and community-driven programming.
About the National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.