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…
DTC Announces Urban Hero Award Honorees

DTC Announces Urban Hero Award Honorees

In what has become a hallmark of the Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon, a small group of individuals and businesses are recognized every year as Urban Heroes for their contributions to downtown. This year, the Awards Committee, under the leadership of Chair Lynn Carlton and Vice-Chair Jennifer Wampler, selected two individuals and two small businesses.
Imagine Downtown Baseball: Campaign to Keep Chiefs & Royals in Jackson County

Imagine Downtown Baseball: Campaign to Keep Chiefs & Royals in Jackson County

In 2022, a two year strategic planning process for Downtown Kansas City, the Imagine Downtown KC Strategic Plan, culminated with the release of the plan and a vision for creating a vibrant, inclusive and equitable Downtown KC. We are now working to implement the plan with a focus on its transformative strategies and catalytic projects. With the announcement of the Yes On 1 for Jackson County Campaign last month, one of these catalytic projects is moving closer to fruition, a new Downtown Ballpark.
Chiefs & Royals to Host Listening Sessions for Yes on 1 Campaign

Chiefs & Royals Kick off “Yes” Campaign for April 2 Vote

The campaign to continue the existing ⅜ cent sales tax to keep the Chiefs and the Royals in Jackson County for the next generation of major league sports fans and everyone in our community is underway!  This proposal takes a good deal and makes it exponentially better. Both teams have held press conferences in the last few weeks and have shared their visions for the future.  We are pleased to share a few images with you to spark your enthusiasm.