Development
The mission of the Downtown Development Group (DDG), a task force of the Downtown Council, is to be a developer in the public interest.
The DTC, in cooperation with the Kansas City Public Library and Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, formulated a creative private-public partnership, which made this project possible. The financing plan for the $49.5 million project included the following funding sources: State and Federal historic tax credits; Missouri Development Finance Board investment; City of Kansas City Missouri and private contributions.
The DDG in conjunction with the Downtown Council identified the Crossroads Academy as a school that would provide a first-class school in the Central Business District. In order to get the school open, the DDG met with the founders of the school and help refine the business plan. Then they formed key civic partnerships that brought the financial abilities to make the school a reality.
Downtown Community Services Center
The Downtown Council (DTC) works with local organizations at the Downtown Community Services Center to address homelessness in our city. The DTC purchased a building in close proximity to overnight emergency shelters and built out the site. The Center provides food, showers, counselors, and housing referrals.
In 2007, the Downtown Development Group (DDG) contracted with the Jazz District Redevelopment Corporation (JDRC) to provide community development services to the District. The mission of the DDG was to attract new revenue resources, lease existing space and attract new investment.
Shoppers Parkade Development
One building that remained as a deterrent to development in Downtown Kansas City was the Shoppers Parkade at 11th & Grand. The Downtown Development Group was asked to create a redevelopment plan that included demolition, site preparation, and a long-term development strategy. This project resulted in the removal of a blighted structure and the creation of a new development site. The temporary lot created 125 surface parking spaces and the City upgraded sidewalks and landscaping.
The DDG was asked to assist in the development of a state of the art headquarters and teaching facility for the Kansas City Ballet. The building the Ballet selected was a 90-year-old, environmentally contaminated, former power plant that had been abandoned for 35 years. The renovated building is part of the Union Station complex and now provides more than 300 parking spaces for students, faculty, and staff.
Greater Kansas City YMCA selected the former Lyric Theatre building for its long-awaited return to Downtown Kansas City. The vacated theater at 11th & Central will become a flagship $39 million, four-level, 80,000 square-foot community center. The Downtown Council will serve as the developer in the public interest through DTC Community Development Inc.
Downtown Council of Kansas City
1000 Walnut, Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64106
816.421.1539