Another Million-Dollar Investment in Guest Experience: Science City Unveils New Restrooms Where Even a Bathroom Break Inspires Discovery.

Latest project advances Union Station’s multi-year strategic investment across its historic campus, attractions and public spaces—adding 2,270 square feet of guest amenities, expanded accessibility and science experiences in unexpected places.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Aug. 25, 2026 – At Science City, science doesn’t stop when you leave an exhibit. Now, it doesn’t even stop when you head to the restroom.

Today, Kansas City’s science center, Science City, officially unveiled and cut the ribbon on nearly $1 million in newly relocated, modernized, and expanded restrooms inside Science City.  This marks the latest major project in an ongoing multi-year strategic investment touching spaces and attractions throughout Union Station’s historic campus.

From the restoration and modernization of public spaces to improvements within attractions and essential guest amenities, the strategy is focused on ensuring Union Station continues to evolve alongside the millions of guests it annually serves—while protecting and enhancing one of Kansas City’s most treasured landmarks.

The new 2,270-square-foot Science City space exemplifies that approach. It significantly expands restroom capacity while introducing amenities designed around accessibility, inclusion and the needs of today’s families. And because this is Science City, even a necessary guest amenity has been approached through the lens of discovery, incorporating exhibits and water-inspired educational elements that make science part of the experience.

“Our multi-year strategic investment is about looking at Union Station as a whole and asking how we continue to make this extraordinary building and everything inside better for the millions of people we serve,” said George Guastello, President and CEO of Union Station Kansas City. “From our wide open spaces in Grand Hall and Grand Plaza to our attractions and guest amenities, we’re making thoughtful investments that preserve this historic landmark while improving the experience for future generations. These new Science City restrooms are a perfect example. We started with a fundamental guest need and asked how we could make it more accessible, more family-friendly and, because it’s Science City, an opportunity for discovery.”

More Accessibility. More Science.

Designed with families and accessibility at the forefront, the new space includes a family room, mother’s room, universal changing table and dedicated sensory room. The sensory room, supported by NorthPoint Foundation and Jackson County, provides a calm, quiet environment for guests who may benefit from a break from the energy and stimulation of the science center. The universal changing table was supported by EITAS.

The project also extends Science City’s educational mission into an unexpected setting. Water-themed exhibits and design elements encourage guests to explore the science and inner workings of waterworks, while child-height features and interactive touches create an environment designed specifically with young explorers in mind.

“Every space at Union Station serves a purpose, and every investment is an opportunity to make the experience even better,” said Ray Kowalik, Board Chairman of Union Station Kansas City. “In Science City, that means looking at everything through two lenses—the guest and science. These new spaces give families more capacity, comfort and accessibility while extending the spirit of curiosity and discovery into a place you might not expect to find it.”

Investing Across Union Station

The Science City project represents the latest chapter in a broader multi-year strategic investment across Union Station’s historic campus, encompassing public spaces, attractions, infrastructure, accessibility and guest amenities.

Earlier this year, Union Station unveiled a nearly $1 million transformation of its Grand Plaza restrooms, modernizing an essential part of the guest experience while preserving the character of the historic building. The Science City project continues that commitment, this time approaching the same fundamental guest need through the distinct lens of a hands-on science center.

That philosophy extends back many years. In 2018, The Sunderland Foundation provided $500,000 toward a $1.6 million project to preserve and protect Union Station’s historic exterior, helping ensure the landmark was prepared not only for the next generation of guests, but for the bigger moments still ahead. Those continued investments in preservation and thoughtful adaptive reuse have allowed Union Station to remain both historically authentic and highly functional as the building has welcomed major events and international attention, including the 2023 NFL Draft and FIFA World Cup 2026.

The philosophy behind the investments is straightforward: preserve the character of this historic landmark while continually improving how its spaces serve the people who use them.

Inside Science City, that means thinking beyond traditional exhibits. Accessibility, comfort, family needs and even a trip to the restroom become part of creating a science center where families can spend more time exploring, learning and discovering together.

And the investment is already creating room for what comes next.

Relocating the restrooms frees their former footprint for a new Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains exhibition, scheduled to open in late spring 2027, further expanding the interactive STEM experiences available to Science City visitors.

“This is what strategic investment looks like,” Guastello added. “We’re solving an immediate guest need while simultaneously creating space for Science City’s future. Every improvement builds on the next, and together they are transforming how guests experience Union Station.”

Designed with the Guest in Mind

Bringing the new Science City space to life required collaboration among partners who shared Union Station’s commitment to putting the guest experience first. PGAV Architects spent approximately a year on the design and creation process, working alongside Union Station to consider how the space could meet the practical needs of families while remaining distinctly Science City. Black Creek helped bring that vision to life, transforming the design into a finished space that balances functionality, accessibility and discovery.

The completion of the new Science City restrooms also marks the conclusion of the Sunderland Foundation’s multi-year grant initiative, which has supported transformative projects throughout the Union Station campus, including improvements to Grand Hall, Grand Plaza, Level B and Science City. Together, these projects have helped modernize historic spaces, enhance accessibility and create new opportunities for the millions of guests Union Station welcomes.

Union Station extends its sincere appreciation to the Sunderland Foundation, EITAS, Jackson County, NorthPoint Foundation, and PGAV Architects whose generosity helped make this latest transformation possible.

Union Station Kansas City, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funds its operations through earned revenue from attractions and experiences, along with the generous support of corporations, foundations, donors and members. To support Union Station’s ongoing preservation and improvement efforts, contact Lynette Darby, Manager of Community Engagement & Sponsorship, at [email protected].

Members of the media: Electronic press kit including images are available for download here.

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About Science City

Centrally located in the heart of Kansas City and part of the historic and acclaimed Union Station complex, Science City boasts more than 325 interactive and static exhibits covering nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of inside and outdoor space. Internationally awarded for “Visitor Experience” by ASTC and regionally awarded “Favorite Family Friendly Attraction” by Visit KC Visitors Choice Awards, Science City powered by Burns & McDonnell is named one of the country’s TOP 25 science centers. Annually, it educates and entertains hundreds of thousands of science-thirsty children of all ages. Kansas City’s Science Center is THE place for inquisitive young minds to create, explore, and experiment with the BIG world of science through hands-on learning and non-stop fun. Visit SCIENCECITY.COM for details.

About Union Station Kansas City

Union Station Kansas City – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and Smithsonian Affiliate – is a 112-year-old historical landmark and celebrated civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. Recently awarded “Favorite Attraction,” “Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction,” “Favorite Historic Attraction,” and “Favorite Holiday Destination,” the organization – dedicated to science education, celebration of community, and preservation of history – is home to Kansas City’s internationally-awarded Science City; the new Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre; the popular Model Railroad Experience; City Stage featuring live theater; and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. Union Station is also home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses, and regularly hosts world-class traveling exhibitions and was proud to host the 2015 Royals World Series Championship Parade/Rally and the 2020 and 2023 Chiefs Super Bowl Parades/Rallies plus the 2023 NFL Draft. Awarded “Top Banquet Facilities in KC” by KC Business Journal, the facility annually hosts hundreds of community events and private celebrations of all sizes. Visit unionstation.org for details. Also, follow us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.