Diggs District
Diggs District reimagines a repurposed industrial hub on the outskirts of a university town, infusing new life into the city fabric by transforming a defunct segment of the MKT rail line into a recreational trail. Once a corridor of industry and movement, the rail line becomes the spine of an urban promenade—linking buildings, landscapes, and communities through recreation, gathering, and mobility. The plan envisions a neighborhood that responds to its industrial heritage while embracing emerging industries and evolving demographics. Hybrid warehouse typologies provide space for work, culture, and experimentation, while public plazas, lobbies, and transitional zones animate the edges between buildings and the trail. Together, they create a vibrant corridor where the past’s grit meets the future’s energy, turning a dormant district into a stage for connection and celebration..
Tri-City Corridor & MKT Rail Line
The site exists along the Tri-Mo Corridor, connecting Kansas City, St. Louis, and Columbia, within a historic network that once pulsed with industry and movement. The dormant MKT rail line—a silent artery through the city—now offers the opportunity to reconnect warehouses, neighborhoods, and people in dynamic new ways. By transforming this rail line into a backbone for activity and exploration, Digg’s District draws on the region’s industrial heritage while unlocking its potential for a vibrant, interconnected future.
