The Evolution Continues: 2024 DTC Annual Luncheon Recap

Over 1,000 Downtown KC residents, office workers, property owners, non-profits, and advocates gathered in the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at Bartle Hall to enjoy the 2024 Downtown KC Annual Luncheon.  What has become one of the “can’t miss” civic non-profit events on the social calendar lived up to expectations again this year. The theme of the luncheon this year was, “The Evolution of Downtown, Celebrating Kansas City”.  The theme was selected to allow the Downtown Council the ability to leverage the luncheon to celebrate the remarkable transformation of Downtown KC over the last 20-plus years while also highlighting the bright future that lies ahead.

Social Venture Studio Announces Third Cohort

The Social Venture Studio is back with the goal of ‘doing well by doing good’, continuing the program for the third year with the announcement of a new cohort. LaunchKC, an initiative of the Downtown Council (DTC) and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC), launched the Social Venture Studio at the beginning of 2022. The four-month accelerator, which supports promising social ventures working to solve social, racial or environmental challenges, has selected seven companies to participate in the program. The initiative aims to support entrepreneurs seeking to provide both social impact and return on investment, received many qualified applications for its second year from companies located in Kansas City and beyond.

Summer City in the City Brings Live Music and Performances to Downtown KC

The Downtown Community Improvement District is pleased to announce a new performance and event series for Downtown Kansas City, “Summer in the City”. Join us twice a month from May through September in Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park for music, dance, poetry, food trucks, games and other activities at Oppenstein Park, a pocket park located at 12th and Walnut Streets in Downtown Kansas City.

Downtown Council April 2024 New Members

The Downtown Council will recognize new members every quarter. This quarter we have two new members, Hoefer Welker, and Wickham James Strategies & Solutions. Hoefer Welker is an architecture and planning company that was founded in 1996, they are a full-service design firm offering architecture, interior design, MEP engineering, and medical equipment planning and technology consulting. Wickham & James Strategies & Solutions is a public relations and communications firm.

2023-2024 River Market CID Annual Recap

On March 5, the River Market Community Improvement District (RMCID) Board assembled to celebrate another year of CID service in the River Market. 2023-2024 represents the 17th year of the River Market CID. While the RMCID Ambassadors continued with the mission of providing a high level of service focused on clean and safe, the board and staff developed new committees and programs to help make the River Market an even stronger community in Downtown Kansas City.

Urban Hero: Spotlight on Shanita McAfee-Bryant, The Prospect KC

The Downtown Council has recognized more than 100 small businesses and individuals as Urban Heroes since 2005. Each is passionate about making the urban community a more vibrant place to live, work, and play throughout the 22 adjacent neighborhoods…

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.

Downtown Council encourages a YES vote on April 2nd

On April 2nd, Jackson County voters have the opportunity to cast ballots in an election with a generational impact. The Chiefs and the Royals have committed a significant amount of their own funds to extensively renovate Arrowhead Stadium and build a new downtown neighborhood ballpark district. However, a "YES" vote on April 2nd to extend the existing 3/8-cent sales tax is crucial to bringing these exciting plans to fruition.

Last Call for Downtown Council Annual Luncheon Sponsorships & Tickets!

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We are not fooling you…the Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon is less than two weeks away and the deadline to get tickets is fast approaching. Table sponsorships are due by April 2nd while the deadline for individual tickets is April 5th. Registration information can be found at downtownkc.org/annual-luncheon.

Kansas City Royals announce commitments to the Crossroads Community Association

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On Saturday, the Kansas City Royals announced commitments they will make to the Crossroads Community Association with benefits that will extend beyond its borders and enhance the larger community if Jackson County voters approve Question 1 on April 2nd. Earlier in the week, the Royals and Kansas City Chiefs released a $260 million community benefits agreement for Jackson County. The Royals' commitment to the Crossroads will support small business displacement, offer local businesses reduced lease pricing within the ballpark district, and implement traffic and parking management.

Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals Announce Terms of Historic Community Benefits Agreements Worth $260M+

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The Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals announced terms of the historic Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) with Jackson County that will total more than $260 million in commitments across a broad range of initiatives supporting residents, if voters approve Question 1 on the upcoming April 2 ballot. Combined and individually they represent the largest CBAs in Kansas City’s history, surpassing any singular agreement negotiated previously, including the recent one negotiated around Kansas City International Airport’s new terminal.

Urban Hero: Spotlight on Rebecca Koop, arts champion

Since 2005, the Downtown Council has recognized more than 100 small businesses and individuals as Urban Heroes. Each is passionate about making the urban community a more vibrant place to live, work, and play throughout the 22 adjacent neighborhoods…