Downtown and River Market Community Improvement Districts Celebrate over 20 years of Service to the Community

By Sean O’Byrne, Vice President, Downtown Council; Executive Director, Community Improvement Districts

The Downtown Community Improvement District (DCID) is proud to continue its mission in 2025 as a private, nonprofit organization committed to keeping the heart of Downtown Kansas City clean, welcoming, and thriving. Every day, our dedicated safety, concierge, and maintenance ambassadors work tirelessly to support the businesses, residents, and visitors who make the Central Business District their home. Through their efforts, DCID fosters a vibrant and secure downtown environment for all.

The DCID is pleased to share that the organization had a very positive year of community engagement. By partnering with peer organizations, we were able to expand our reach and impact with public engagement meetings, community work days, entertainment opportunities, and more. Building relationships with neighborhood associations and other community groups allowed us to better understand and address the specific needs of our community. Through these collaborations, we were able to work on a wide range of issues, from improving quality of life to providing opportunities for those who call downtown home to better connect with each other.

This Fall, both the Downtown Community Improvement District and the River Market Community Improvement District were involved with the Mayor’s CID Roundtable, hosted by Mayor Lucas, brought together members of the city council, law enforcement officials, and representatives from CIDs across the city to discuss and address crime and safety issues throughout Kansas City. The forum aimed to foster open dialogue, gather insights, and develop collaborative strategies to enhance public safety. The River Market and Downtown CIDs were well represented with multiple staff in the room. Executive Director Sean O’Byrne informed the group about the River Market’s overnight security initiative along with the CID’s strong working relationship with the Kansas City Police Departments resurrected Downtown Foot Beat Unit.

The Mayor’s Crime and Safety Forum concluded with a commitment from the mayor and other officials to work together with community stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive crime reduction strategies. The forum’s recommendations served as a roadmap for future actions aimed at enhancing public safety and creating a more livable city for all residents

Together, the Downtown Community Improvement District and the River Market Community Improvement District are changing the dynamic Downtown. Their efforts are setting the stage for a cleaner, safer and more economically stable environment in our urban core.