The Building of a Great City

The most dramatic events in this fall’s election were not all positive. Regardless of how you felt about the outcome of specific races or issues, the overall rancor and vitriol almost certainly achieved new lows. It seemed as if we had Genghis Khan running against Ivan the Terrible, with members of their constituencies proposing either a revival of the Inquisition or Chairman Mao’s Cultural Revolution.

Forgive me, but it’s time to move forward. The need for psychological relief is reason enough but, at least locally, we also have too much that requires our attention to linger long in either an “I told you so” or “just wait” modes.

This edition of Ingram’s includes all the evidence you need. From our look at the development projects throughout the 20 county area beginning on page 33 to the unbelievable progress Downtown, it’s clear that our region is one of the healthiest in the country, with few of the economic extremes or environmental catastrophes that are impacting other areas. I realize that California has far more than brush fires, but it’s important to remember how much strength we derive from our balanced economy and the lack of extremes that plague other regions.

Much has been written about our tendency to linger too much in Midwestern modesty. I think that’s a valid point, especially with the accomplishments we have going on now. But another issue is that there’s something going on here that may be so big that in an odd way it’s flying under the radar.

A few years ago we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Ingram’s by looking back at the biggest deals that had occurred in the region over the past 30 years. That menu of major events included building landmarks such as KCI and the Truman Sports Complex, creation of Corporate Woods and Bartle Hall. We viewed the region’s major growth cycles from the ‘70’s, recognizing economic and cultural developments that continue major, positive influence today.

Yet as great as these developments were, they do not compare to what is going on right now. And while Downtown’s renaissance is dramatic, what makes that growth so significant is that it’s part of a regional push that is equally impressive. Unlike past periods of dynamic development, the current story is more universal, more evenly distributed—and as a result, stronger and more sustainable. This will prove more important than even some of the specific announcements.

Some of this is critical mass. We now have a metropolitan area that cannot only support major growth in Johnson County, but significant development in Clay or Platte counties simultaneously. Wyandotte can succeed at unprecedented growth even as a new corridors flourish in eastern Jackson County.

St. Joseph may be one of the best examples. In many ways, that community serves as a microcosm on how they have overcome plant closings or market reverses to build its unprecedented animal science industry and commercial success.

The regional jewel, however, is Downtown Kansas City. Yet while most of us recognize the drama that is occurring in the urban core almost daily, I’m not sure the profound extent of this growth is appreciated locally. But make no mistake: Kansas City’s Downtown development is quite literally world class. As I write this, city leaders are preparing to present our story as a World Leadership Award Winner. Kansas City is one of only four cites on the globe selected as a finalist in the category of urban renewal. We at Ingram’s are proud to strategically position the City for this award by crafting The Urban Renewal Business Report—a Decade of Redevelopment in Downtown Kansas City. This publication will be presented to the judges and the attendees of the World Leadership Awards in London next month. Forgive me if I shed my Midwestern modesty and say that I think Kansas City has a damn good shot of beating Calcutta, Manchester and St. Louis for the title.

Certainly there is a lot we still have to deal with from the election and other contemporary events. But in the month that includes Thanksgiving, it’s not inappropriate to appreciate those extraordinary amenities we’ve come to enjoy and the dreams we continue to realize in a city that is earning world-class stature.

Regards,

Editor-In-Chief & Publisher

Editorial@IngramsOnLine.com