DTC’s Infrastructure Committee Plans for the Future
By Mark Rowlands, Director of Contracts, Community Improvement Districts
Creating public spaces, improving the public realm, modernizing and maintaining public infrastructure and promoting sustainable development in Downtown Kansas City – those are the goals of the Downtown Council (DTC) of Kansas City’s Infrastructure Committee. Think about it – roads, interstate highways, bridges, streets, sewers, streetlights, sidewalks, parks – these are all elements of the public realm that directly impact people’s experience of Downtown Kansas City!
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. It may sound dry, but it’s anything but! They make policy recommendations and advocate for structural investments and inclusive public spaces. For instance, their PIAC Subcommittee has developed a systematic approach to reviewing and tracking PIAC projects, which helps demonstrate return on investment to the downtown community. These recommendations are created with the input of Downtown neighborhood organizations and then shared with the PIAC Commission and City Council Members.
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.
Interested in learning more?
Committee participation is a benefit of membership, so consider joining the Downtown Council. Contact Jay James (jay@downtownkc.org) about membership. Contact Mark Rowlands (mark@downtownkc.org) about the Infrastructure Committee.
