Entries by Ann Holliday

Work Begins on New Plaza and Parking in the Heart of Downtown KC

After 8-years of community engagement, planning and design work, the redevelopment of Barney Allis Plaza and the Auditorium Parking Garage in Downtown Kansas City is underway! Last week, the City Council approved funding to move forward with the demolition of the facility located in the heart of the KC Convention District at 12th & Wyandotte. The park sits on top of a garage which has recently been unusable due to dangerous conditions. Continued investment in repairs is unsustainable and the structure is beyond its useful life. The garage will close starting on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Imagine Downtown Baseball: Campaign to Keep Chiefs & Royals in Jackson County

In 2022, a two year strategic planning process for Downtown Kansas City, the Imagine Downtown KC Strategic Plan, culminated with the release of the plan and a vision for creating a vibrant, inclusive and equitable Downtown KC. We are now working to implement the plan with a focus on its transformative strategies and catalytic projects. With the announcement of the Yes On 1 for Jackson County Campaign last month, one of these catalytic projects is moving closer to fruition, a new Downtown Ballpark.

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“Living Together With Difference” – Art in the Loop Announces 2024 Theme: Convivencia  

The Art in the Loop Foundation is pleased to announce the theme for our annual summer art exhibition and performance series in Downtown Kansas City. Each year we partner with the KC Streetcar and many other organizations and corporations to exhibit artwork on one streetcar vehicle and at various streetcar stops as well as with a performance series that will kick off in June. For 2024, we will ask artists to respond to the word “convivencia” and what it means to them and their artwork. Convivencia is a shared life with others that is a constant practice, effort, negotiation, and joint achievement while recognizing friction or opposing energy. We recognize that artists and creatives are very familiar with navigating space, energy, and time amongst one another and within their communities.

Traffic Patterns Changing on Buck O’Neil Bridge

Crews with the Buck O’Neil Bridge project will shift northbound U.S. 169 traffic from the existing bridge to one of the newly constructed river bridges by approximately the end of January. Updated information will be shared once an approximate date and time is available. During the traffic shift, motorists on NB U.S. 169 may notice a one-lane closure/flagging operations. This traffic shift will allow for crews to begin work on demolishing the existing bridge and finishing work on the second river bridge structure.

DTC Urban Hero & Kirk Nominations Due Soon!

The Downtown Council is now accepting nominations for its 2023 annual awards. The prized awards will be a featured element of the DTC’s popular Annual Luncheon on Friday, April 12, 2024, and a special reception on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Both events will be held in the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Downtown KC Connects – A new look for a new year

Welcome to the Downtown Council of Kansas City’s rebranded weekly email update, “Downtown KC Connects.” The title reflects what we do at the Downtown Council. After all, it’s our mission to connect, facilitate, advocate, and bring Kansas City’s businesses, property owners, nonprofit organizations, and anyone invested in Downtown’s success, together to make Downtown KC a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community.

Downtown Council accepting nominations for coveted annual awards

The Downtown Council is now accepting nominations for its 2023 annual awards. The prized awards will be a featured element of the DTC’s popular Annual Luncheon on Friday, April 12, 2024, and a special reception on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Both events will be held in the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Downtown KC Goes to Downtown Chicago – 2023 International Downtown Association Conference

In early October, six Downtown Council staffers visited the Windy City for a 3-day immersion into “Community, Culture & Commerce”, the 69th Annual International Downtown Association Conference, co-hosted by the Chicago Loop Alliance! Over 1,400 inspired leaders shaping cities around the globe convened to discuss emerging trends in place management. Topics ranged from implementing and nurturing public-private partnerships to recognizing a city’s unique customs, traditions, and heritage while acknowledging how commerce is the main driver for districts globally.  Chicago provided the perfect backdrop for this year’s conference with its rich public art, entertainment, dining, shopping, cultural attractions, nature, business, and residents in a harmonious multi-use setting.

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Downtown Council Announces 2023-24 Officers

The Downtown Council of Kansas City Board of Directors elected new officers at its Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 2. Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Chancellor of Metropolitan Community Colleges, will chair the organization. Dr. Beatty has been Vice Chair for three years and is also the Vice Chair of Vision Advancement for the Imagine Downtown KC Committee which is charged with the implementation of Downtown’s 2030 Strategic Plan.

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South Loop Project Community Impact Goals

The Downtown Council, in partnership with the City of Kansas City and Port KC, is working to implement one of the catalytic projects highlighted in the Imagine Downtown KC 2030 Strategic Plan: The South Loop Project, a four-block park covering the Interstate 670 (I-670) trench that creates a division between the Central Business District (CBD) and the Crossroads Arts District in the heart of Downtown Kansas City.   Why is this a catalytic project? Because it provides the opportunity for the residents, employees and visitors of Greater Downtown, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Kansas City, a place to gather, connect, exercise and recreate. Over the past several years, there have been many public meetings and dozens of presentations to neighborhood and business organizations in an effort to get input and support from the community. There are two basic questions we hear from the community. The first question, “What is the South Loop Project?” is pretty straightforward. The second question, “This requires major investment, why are we doing this? What beneficial impacts will it have?” is a little more complicated.