Phil Kirk, guiding light for Downtown, dies at 76
Phil Kirk, retired chairman of DST Realty and a giant in Downtown Kansas City’s real estate renaissance, died Thursday at age 76.
Accolades poured in from civic leaders who credited Kirk as a behind-the-scenes master development strategist who helped assemble land and raised money for many prominent Downtown Kansas City projects, The Kansas City Star reports today.
Phil Kirk played a major role in Downtown Kansas City’s renaissance and in the Downtown Council.
Bill Dietrich, president and CEO of the Downtown Council, on Thursday credited Kirk with being the architect for Downtown’s current renaissance:
“The Downtown Council was saddened today to learn of the passing of our friend, J. Philip Kirk Jr. Our hearts go out to Phil’s family.
“Phil, the founder of DST Realty, was an extraordinary man, who possessed a vision for revitalizing Downtown Kansas City. Over the last 30-plus years, Phil proved to be the architect of Downtown’s renaissance and a guiding light to me and to the Downtown Council.
“In his own humble way, Phil worked behind the scenes to lift Downtown from the days of blight and despair to the amazing renaissance that is blossoming today.
“Phil was our captain in building such Downtown initiatives as Quality Hill, the DST campus, Hope Lodge – American Cancer Center, Ilus Davis Civic Mall, the South Loop Redevelopment, the Central Library, and the Crossroads Academy charter school, which is housed in the first building that Phil ever renovated at 1015 Central. He will be our inspiration as we continue his work on bringing the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance to the Crossroads and in building a new Downtown YMCA, along with many other causes.
“Phil Kirk has been a quiet powerhouse in this organization since the very beginning more than 30 years ago. Since 2002, he has been the namesake of our organization’s highest award for Community Vision and Downtown Stewardship.
“And as much as we will miss his passion and determination, we are all leading richer lives thanks to Phil’s legacy.”
The Star’s report on Kirk’s death, written by reporter Lynn Horsley, continued:
“Phil was one who eschewed the limelight, but those of us who knew him know full well what an asset he has been to Kansas City,” said Jim Heeter, president of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
In November 2013, Kirk received the chamber’s highest civic honor, the Kansas Citian of the Year Award.
He was instrumental in the renovation of the historic First National Bank Building into the Central Library at 14 W. 10th St. and helped identify the property at 10th and Central streets for downtown’s Crossroads Academy charter school.
Kirk helped assemble the land for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and for the future UMKC music conservatory. He also was a big booster for a new downtown YMCA.
“He had a great mind for real estate and a passion for rebuilding the west side of the Downtown area,” Kirk’s brother, Frank, said Thursday.
Click here to read the complete story in The Star.
Click here to read the complete story in The Business Journal.
