Construction is underway on the long-awaited King Empowerment Center, the first new school project for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) in over three decades.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, brought together KCPS leaders, JE Dunn Construction, Hollis + Miller Architects, and community members to celebrate a milestone for the Oak Park neighborhood.
The $68 million campus will feature the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, a Head Start-rated early childhood center, and a family empowerment center designed to serve as a community hub, KCTV reported.
The project fulfills a promise made to residents after the closure of King Weeks Elementary over a decade ago.
Construction on the King Empowerment Center is expected to take about 18 months, and the school’s opening is projected for fall 2027.
Rendering of the King Elementary school project main entrance, located in Kansas City. Image: Kansas City Public Schools
KCPS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier called the project “a symbol of hope and restoration” for an area that has faced years of school closures and disinvestment.
“It’s huge for our kids to see our community investing in them,” Collier said. “They deserve spaces where they can learn, collaborate, and experience cutting-edge education.”
Local leaders and residents echoed that sentiment. Forest Tyson Jr., vice president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association, said, “We cannot be more grateful for what’s going to happen here, how it’s going to change the attitudes and overall look of the neighborhood.”
Community advocate Ashley Johnson added, “I’m really excited about this new center and what it means for parent engagement and our children’s success.”
The King Empowerment Center is part of a broader $474 million bond initiative approved by voters in April, the first such bond for KCPS in 58 years.
Every school in the district is set to receive at least $5 million for critical facility upgrades, with oversight committees in place to ensure transparency and community involvement.
KCPS officials said more projects are expected to modernize and improve learning environments across the district.
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