A message from the new Chair of the Downtown Council, Jason Parson
By Jason Parson, Chairperson for the Downtown Council of Kansas City
I am honored to step into the role of Chairperson for the Downtown Council of Kansas City. I extend my thanks to our outgoing chairperson, Gib Kerr, who did an outstanding job of working with the staff and positioning the organization for success.
Background
As a business owner in the 18th & Vine Jazz District since 2007, I joined the DTC years ago to collaborate with fellow residents, business owners, employees, elected officials, and community leaders who share a commitment to advancing Downtown Kansas City. At the time, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the downtown footprint extended beyond the Central Business District and the Crossroads, embracing the Historic Jazz District, where my business had been located all along.
As chairperson, my focus for the upcoming year will center on four key priorities: safety, retention, growth, and inclusion.
Safety
Safety remains a fundamental expectation. Everyone should feel secure downtown, whether they’re living, working, shopping, or visiting. As downtown business owners, we must continue to collaborate as responsible community partners and hold one another accountable when properties fall into disrepair. It’s also essential that we work closely with local government to ensure that ordinances are upheld and our shared spaces remain welcoming for all.
Retention
Retention is essential to sustaining our momentum. It’s always easier to retain existing businesses than to attract new ones. As someone who deeply values public engagement – it’s the foundation of my work – I will ensure we continue listening to our downtown employers and employees and making thoughtful adjustments based on their feedback.
Growth
Equally important is engaging our downtown residents. Over the past decade, we have done an exceptional job growing our downtown population, and we must continue to listen, involve, and support our residents as our downtown continues to evolve.
Inclusion
Inclusion is essential to creating a vibrant and thriving downtown. We are fortunate to have a downtown composed of businesses and organizations of all sizes, local and county municipalities, and strong, dynamic neighborhoods. My goal is to ensure that anyone who has not yet been engaged, or who feels left out of our downtown growth and success, is invited, welcomed, and encouraged to take part in the opportunities that lie ahead.
Momentum
While we’ve achieved great success, there is still tremendous opportunity for growth. It’s important that we continue building on the momentum created by the streetcar, new and improved green spaces like Luminary Park and Barney Allis Plaza, and the many exciting projects on the horizon. Whether it’s preparing for the 2026 World Cup, exploring a new downtown baseball stadium, or welcoming new businesses and residents, our message must remain clear – downtown is open for business. Achieving this requires collaboration with our local elected officials and with one another – maintaining a healthy, supportive environment that fosters growth and removes unnecessary barriers to progress.
In closing, I take this responsibility very seriously. The year ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, but it will also be deeply rewarding. When my term concludes, I hope to be remembered as a steadfast leader who represented all of Downtown Kansas City, making it a little safer, a little larger, significantly more inclusive, and the kind of downtown of which we can all be proud.
Sincerely,
Jason Parson
