Partnership with Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Creates Safer Neighborhoods

Partnership with Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Creates Safer Neighborhoods

The Downtown Community Improvement District rolled onto the streets of Downtown Kansas City in 2003 and in the River Market in 2006. The goals of these two districts are to create clean, safe and vibrant neighborhoods. Since the early 2000’s, these two distinct neighborhoods have seen remarkable changes.
Downtown Ballpark District - Best Choice for Region

Bring Baseball Back Downtown

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Kansas City has the opportunity to bring baseball back to where it originally started - woven into the daily life of our city. Our history is full of baseball teams and ballparks that laid the foundation for baseball in our urban core. Today, we are full of optimism and will continue to advocate for Downtown baseball as the details of this new plan emerge. While this process continues to play out, we are excited about the opportunity to bring baseball back to the place where it all began.

Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon is this week! (April 10th)

We are excited to have you join us later this week as we celebrate all things Downtown Kansas City! We will kick things off Thursday evening in the south lobby of the Grand Ballroom at Bartle Hall for the Urban Hero Awards Reception from 5–7 p.m. This special gathering honors five outstanding individuals whose passion and leadership continue to make Downtown Kansas City a more welcoming and vibrant place. Each of these honorees reflects the spirit of service and collaboration that continues to move Downtown forward.
Mark Your Calendars for the 2026 Downtown KC Annual Luncheon on April 10, 2026!

Announcing an exciting program for the DTC Annual Luncheon!

We are excited to have you join us on Friday, April 10th as we celebrate the energy, progress, and people who make Downtown Kansas City such a dynamic place. As in years past, we will be celebrating a new class of Urban Hero award winners this year along with the 2026 J. Philip Kirk Jr. Award in recognition of Community Vision and Downtown Stewardship.

Entering 2026, Downtown Kansas City’s Momentum Remains Strong

Six long years ago, when pandemic lockdowns emptied Downtown seemingly overnight, crisis narratives quickly took hold to make sense of the disruption; Downtowns were “dead,” offices were “over,” dense urban living had lost its appeal in a vast, work-from-anywhere environment. However, the data in our Downtown Market Report tells a different story and invites you to discover a multifaceted Downtown Kansas City that has recovered and continues to thrive today.
Greenline Route

Look What’s Coming Your Way! Activating Public Spaces in Downtown Kansas City

Several new public amenities are coming to Greater Downtown Kansas City. Urban public spaces are the lifeblood of a city, serving as anchors for community well-being and cultural vitality. The thoughtful activation of these spaces—including linear parks, pedestrian paths, and repurposed infrastructure—is essential for transforming underutilized areas into dynamic social and recreational destinations. These projects encourage connection, foster physical activity, and allow neighborhoods to showcase their unique identities.

Hemma Hemma Opening Downtown on Thursday, March 5th

On Thursday, March 5th, Hemma Hemma will open its second location, Hemma Hemma Dinette, in Downtown Kansas City's Lightwell building at 1100 Main. Hemma Hemma opened their first location in 2023 as a daytime eatery in Waldo. The new concept…
DTC 2026 Annual Luncheon

Don’t Delay! The deadline is fast approaching to sponsor the Annual Luncheon!

Downtown Kansas City’s biggest gathering of the year is almost here. The Downtown Council of Kansas City’s Annual Luncheon returns on Friday, April 10th, with the theme, “Welcoming the World, Building on our Legacy”. The event will bring together more than 1,000 civic, business, and community leaders who are passionate about the future of our urban core. This signature event celebrates the momentum, people, and projects shaping downtown while offering timely insights, inspiring speakers, and the unmatched energy that comes from being in a room full of people who care deeply about Kansas City’s success. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, the Annual Luncheon is a can’t-miss moment to connect, reflect, and look ahead.
NAIA Men's Basketball Championship Brings $2.7 Million Economic Impact to Downtown KC

NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship Brings $2.7 Million Economic Impact to Downtown KC

March excitement returns to Kansas City as the 88th Annual NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship tips off at historic Municipal Auditorium on March 19 - 24th. Each spring, the nation’s top 16 NAIA teams converge downtown for a high-energy, single-elimination tournament that crowns a national champion and creates unforgettable moments for athletes, fans, and the community.
Invest in Downtown’s Future: Become an Annual Luncheon Sponsor

Invest in Downtown’s Future: Become an Annual Luncheon Sponsor

The Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, April 10th.  Once again, we will gather at the Kay Barnes Ballroom at Bartle Hall.  The Spirit of Downtown Exhibit Fair will go from 11am to 12pm.  The luncheon will start at 12pm and conclude at 1:30pm.  This civic gathering serves as an opportunity for uniting the community, celebrating the past year's successes in Downtown Kansas City, and casting a vision for the bright future that lies ahead.
Art in the Loop Announces 2026 Calls for Visual & Performing Artists

Art in the Loop Announces 2026 Calls for Visual & Performing Artists

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is in search of both visual and performing artists to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for the 13th Annual Art in the Loop Project. Through a competitive, open-call process, AILF selects local artists to exhibit their artwork, create site-specific artwork, or perform along and near the KC Streetcar route and at other sites in Downtown Kansas City from May - October.
Common Grounds: Meeting Downtown Where It Happens

Common Grounds: Meeting Downtown Where It Happens

At the Downtown Council, we believe the best conversations do not always happen in boardrooms. Sometimes they happen over a cup of coffee, around a shared table, or right in the neighborhoods that make downtown what it is. That belief inspired Common Grounds, our quarterly, informal community gathering designed to bring the Downtown Council into the community and invite the community into the conversation.