Downtown KC leaders gathered at the Downtown Council on Dec. 14 for a series of updates on Housing for All, one of six Transformative Strategies identified two years ago in the Imagine Downtown KC Strategic Plan.

At our recent Downtown Office Summit, we shared research developed by one of our data providers, Placer.ai, a national provider of anonymous location data from mobile device use. We gathered real-time user data to measure Greater Downtown KC’s recovery and compare the numbers of residents, employees, and visitors with those from 2019. The story it tells is that our Greater Downtown is experiencing a higher percentage of employees returning to the office than most downtowns nationally, as well as when compared to suburban and single-use office districts. We are ahead of the curve.

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.