KC Streetcar CPKC Pavilion

Located at the northern terminus of the KC Streetcar line, the CPKC Pavilion creates a distinctive new gateway to Berkley Riverfront Park, CPKC Stadium, and the surrounding riverfront district in Kansas City, Missouri.

KEM Studio designed the $5 million pavilion in partnership with Burns & McDonnell for Port KC, the KC Streetcar Authority, and CPKC. Inspired by the movement and flow of the nearby Missouri River, the structure transforms a functional transit stop into an architectural landmark and welcoming arrival point for streetcar passengers.

Zahner provided design-assist services, engineering, fabrication, and installation for the pavilion’s custom metal canopy. Measuring approximately 104 feet long by 37 feet wide, the canopy incorporates nearly 7,600 square feet of architectural metal across its roof and soffit surfaces.

The upper roof is clad in Zahner Angel Hair® Stainless Steel. The low-reflectivity surface was selected in part because of the pavilion’s proximity to Kansas City’s downtown airport. Stainless steel column covers extend the material across the pavilion’s 11 supporting beams.

Below, the canopy soffit features highly polished No. 8 mirror stainless steel formed with an undulating surface. The rippled metal produces shifting reflections reminiscent of light moving across water, reinforcing the pavilion’s connection to the Missouri River. Zahner engineered a custom locking panel system to attach the soffit to the structure.

With approximately six months from initial authorization to completion, the pavilion required a highly collaborative and accelerated delivery process. Rather than following a conventional shop-drawing sequence, Zahner shared its fabrication model directly with the architect and owner for real-time review. A small on-site mockup helped the team evaluate critical details and confirm the desired appearance while keeping production moving.

Installation also required careful coordination around the streetcar’s energized overhead lines. Zahner’s crews completed specialized streetcar safety training, followed lockout/tagout procedures, and prioritized work nearest the tracks so testing could proceed on schedule.

The pavilion was completed in time for the Riverfront Extension’s opening in May 2026, demonstrating Zahner’s ability to unite custom engineering, precision fabrication, safe installation, and close collaboration within a demanding project schedule.