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.
Mark Your Calendars for the 2026 Downtown KC Annual Luncheon on April 10, 2026!

Mark Your Calendars for the 2026 Downtown KC Annual Luncheon on April 10, 2026!

We are thrilled to announce that the Downtown Council’s Annual Luncheon is scheduled for April 10, 2026!  Mark your calendars and prepare for an event full of connection, delicious food, and community spirit. This year, we're setting the stage for the theme of “Welcoming the World, Building on Our Legacy” by celebrating our status as a host city for the World Cup while also highlighting that the tournament is just one chapter in the legacy we have been building for Downtown KC over the last twenty-plus years. 
Catalytic Project Construction in Downtown KC: Barney Allis Plaza Update

Catalytic Project Construction in Downtown KC: Barney Allis Plaza Update

Have you been to Downtown Kansas City lately? It’s hopping with activity! Our cultural destinations are mid-season, presenting world-class performances by the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, and Lyric Opera KC at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Folly Theater is hosting its Jazz Series, and theatrical events and touring Broadway shows are taking place at the Music Hall. If you have attended one of these performances, you may have noticed a large construction site in the area - Barney Allis Plaza, located adjacent to the performance venues, is well under construction with completion expected by the end of 2026. Crews are currently building the 580-space parking garage that will be topped with a 5-acre plaza and green space that will be activated with concerts, festivals, and recreational activities to anchor a vibrant convention and cultural district.
Nominations are Open for the Urban Hero Awards

Nominations are Open for the Urban Hero Awards

Each year, in conjunction with our Annual Luncheon, the Downtown Council honors a new class of Urban Heroes.  We invite you to participate in the nomination process by submitting the name of someone or some organization who you think deserves to be honored for their impact on downtown.  You can find out more details, including a list of past winners, along with the link to the nomination form at www.downtownkc.org/awards.  The deadline for nominations is January 31st!

DTC’s Infrastructure Committee Plans for the Future

The DTC’s Infrastructure Committee meets monthly under the volunteer leadership of committee chair Derek Hoetmer, principal landscape architect for MCLV, and vice-chair Melissa Chanto Lukert, civic structural engineer for GFT, Inc., to discuss and advocate for Downtown infrastructure needs. The committee recently outlined its plans for 2026, which include continuing to coordinate with city departments, enhancing public engagement, and scheduling regular interagency coordination. 2026 issues of importance will include: streetscape improvements, bike lane reconfigurations, and parking concerns related to the upcoming World Cup; Barney Allis Plaza, Greenline KC, Buck O’Neill Skatepark, KC Streetcar Expansions, 18th & Vine, Reconnecting the Westside, 10th and Main Street public space planning, and Roy Blunt Luminary Park.