The Story of the Kemper Arena Roof Collapse
Aerial view looking west of Kemper Arena following the structure's June 4, 1979, roof collapse. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO
Kemper Arena, an architectural marvel located in the West Bottoms of Kansas City, Missouri, opened its doors in 1973.
The arena was constructed to replace the smaller Municipal Auditorium and serve as a new home for the Kansas City Kings basketball team. The location chosen for the arena was the former site of the Kansas City Stockyards, a nod to the city's agricultural and livestock heritage.
The arena's design was the brainchild of German-born architect Helmut Jahn, marking his first major project. Known for its revolutionary simplicity and lack of interior columns, the Kemper Arena featured an innovative roof suspended by exterior steel trusses, which provided uninterrupted sightlines for spectators.
This unique design garnered significant acclaim, earning an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1976.
1974: Full view, looking northwest, during final phases of construction. Courtesy: Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO
Construction of Kemper Arena took 18 months, culminating in a structure that cost $22 million, funded by a mix of general obligation bonds, donations, and federal grants.
The arena quickly became a cornerstone of Kansas City's sports and entertainment scene, hosting notable events such as the 1976 Republican National Convention, concerts, and professional sports teams, including the Kansas City Scouts of the NHL and the Kansas City Kings of the NBA.
The Collapse
On June 4, 1979, disaster struck Kemper Arena. At around 6:45 p.m., a severe storm hit Kansas City, bringing heavy rain and 70 mph winds. The arena, renowned for its cutting-edge design, experienced a catastrophic failure when a portion of its roof collapsed under the stress of the weather conditions.
The roof, designed to act as a temporary reservoir for stormwater, had only eight drains, significantly fewer than the local code requirement. As the storm raged, water accumulated on the roof, exacerbating its susceptibility to ponding. The combined forces of the wind and the weight of the water pushed the structure to its limits.
Credit: Ray Corey
One of the hangers, weakened by fatigue over five years of operation, failed under the pressure. This single failure triggered a cascading effect, as the other hangers could not bear the additional load, leading to the collapse of a section of the roof approximately 60 by 65 meters.
Remarkably, the arena was not in use at the time, sparing any potential casualties. However, the structural failure was a significant shock, not least because it occurred during the AIA's annual convention in Kansas City, where Kemper Arena had been celebrated as a premier example of modern architecture just days earlier.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the roof collapse was a period of intense scrutiny and reconstruction. An investigation by Weidlinger Associates identified several contributing factors to the collapse, including the roof's vulnerability to ponding, the wind-induced stress on the structure, and the inadequacy of the hanger bolts for variable loads.
Repairs began promptly, with the roof's hangers and bolts being replaced and additional drains installed to manage stormwater more effectively. Despite the severity of the incident, Kemper Arena reopened within a year, continuing to host significant events, including major college basketball games and concerts.
The collapse of Kemper Arena was a pivotal moment in the field of architecture and engineering. It highlighted the necessity for rigorous testing and validation of architectural innovations, particularly in structures designed to handle large crowds and significant loads.
In 1999, the arena witnessed another tragedy when professional wrestler Owen Hart fell to his death during a pay-per-view event.
Today, Kemper Arena, now known as Hy-Vee Arena after renovations in 2017, stands as a testament to Kansas City's resilience and the importance of continuous improvement in architectural practices.