Downtown KC – Connecting Communities
By Bill Dietrich, President & CEO at Downtown Council of Kansas City
At our 2025 Downtown KC Annual Luncheon, “Connecting Communities,” we were thrilled to have Mallory Brown as our keynote speaker.
Mallory is a worldwide adventure traveler, documentary filmmaker, and humanitarian advocate who journeys across the globe to share impactful real-life stories. She has founded two social impact companies, visited over 60 countries, and is currently engaged in a global marathon walk to support women’s empowerment.
Mallory’s message reinforced the central theme of our recent meeting: the significant impact and potential our Downtown has for linking all of Kansas City. We invited Mallory to discuss strategies for enhancing our connections—to each other, our community, and the broader world—one person and one opportunity at a time.
The “Imagine Downtown KC 2030 Strategic Plan” is founded on the idea that connectivity is vital for a healthy Downtown, emphasizing both physical and social connections to foster our thriving Downtown community. These dual pillars are essential not only for the operation of our Downtown and city but also for its continued success.
Community connectivity is essential to our well-being, fostering interaction, shared ideas, and strong relationships. It enhances our sense of safety and improves both our physical and mental health by reducing isolation.
Social connectivity is the heart of our Downtown, from conversations at the City Market to laughter at street festivals and friendships formed on park benches. When our Downtown environment encourages these interactions, it builds a thriving community. Regular social contact reduces stress and increases happiness.
By adding amenities such as the Roy Blunt Luminary Park, programmed with music, performance spaces, art installations, health and wellness activities, play areas, dog parks, and food vendors, we encourage people to linger, meet, and connect. This, in turn, significantly boosts satisfaction among residents, employees, and visitors.
The physical and social connectivity create a feedback loop. Interesting and authentic mixed-use environments and infrastructure, such as the expanding KC Streetcar, attract people. Subsequently, social opportunities, including events and gathering spots, encourage them to stay.
In essence, a Downtown area lacking social connectivity is merely a collection of buildings. Our Downtown is a thriving ecosystem, economically robust, socially rich with opportunities for everyone, and uniquely ours. We are designing our Downtown to unite our community because, through connection, we create not just a place, but our home.
Years from today, we will look back and realize we were living through a golden age in Kansas City, a once-in-a-generation renaissance. New amenities like a best in country KCI terminal, the industry standard expanded KC Streetcar connecting the riverfront to UMKC. CPKC Stadium, the first purpose-built stadium for our women’s professional soccer team, the KC Current. An expanding Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Zhou B Art Center, an enhanced National World War One Museum and Memorial, an expanding Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, major mixed use developments in the West Bottoms and Riverfront, and a growing UMKC Health Sciences District, a Downtown ballpark district and the momentum continues.
Kansas City is experiencing an amazing moment in its history, having recently hosted the World Series and Super Bowl parades, the NFL draft, and Big 12 Men’s and Women’s basketball and wrestling tournaments. We’re also looking forward to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A walkable and easily navigable downtown area is more than just a convenience; it encourages people to stay longer and explore further. This walkability significantly boosts the local economy, as businesses benefit from increased foot traffic and sales when the streets are user-friendly and inviting.
Connecting communities relies on strong relationships with colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family, as well as active participation in neighborhood organizations and activities. Both physical and social connectivity are essential for a healthy and resilient future for our community.
I believe that by working together, we can make our community more connected, vibrant, affordable, and livable for all. This is definitely a message worth sharing!
