KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Dog lovers across the Kansas City area will soon have a unique hangout where their four-legged friends are welcomed guests. Port KC is partnering with local Kansas City developer Bear Bishop LLC to build a dog park, bar and coffeehouse called “Bar K” at Berkley Riverfront.
Pending the necessary permits and approvals from the City of Kansas City, Bar K will be located on an undeveloped, two-acre lot on the western edge of the Berkley Riverfront, partially under the Heart of America Bridge.
“Bar K is going to be a great additional amenity to the Riverfront” said Michael Collins, President & CEO of Port KC. “Many Berkley Riverfront Park visitors enjoy bringing their dogs to the park to run and play. This project gives us the opportunity to utilize ‘found space’ under the bridge, and convert it into an exciting, dedicated, vibrant new meeting space for dogs, dog enthusiasts and others in Kansas City.”
Bar K will feature a two-acre dog park with large and small dog play areas, as well as a bar, restaurant and coffeehouse. In keeping with the riverfront location, the bar and coffeehouse will be built in a modern/industrial style using repurposed shipping containers. The dog park will have all-weather seating areas, and it will be staffed at all times with trained Bar K employees so customers won’t have to worry about their pets if they want to step inside for a drink or a healthy bite to eat.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to build Bar K next to Berkley Riverfront Park,” said Leib Dodell, who along with David Hensley is co-managing partner of Bear Bishop LLC, the Kansas City-based company that is developing the property. “The site is absolutely spectacular, it’s centrally located and easy to access from anywhere in the KC Metro, and the bridge will provide year-round shade and shelter for our customers, both human and dog!”
In anticipation of this exciting project, Bar K will be hosting a “Pup-Up Party” on July 10 at their proposed location on the riverfront. The event will feature booths from over 20 local, pet-related businesses and nonprofits, a temporary dog park, a beer tent, and a dog-friendly 5K race along the scenic and historic Riverfront Heritage Trail. The event will also mark the kick-off of Bar K’s crowdfunding campaign, which will help the company raise the funds necessary to complete the project with all of the features that will make Bar K a one-of-a-kind destination for dogs and dog lovers in Kansas City. Architectural services for the project are being provided by Clockwork Architecture + Design, and engineering services by Taliaferro & Brown.