by Dale Garrison

The action needed to continue development in Kansas City’s Downtown and urban core is under way. Despite legitimate concerns, challenges and occasional debate, the region’s rebirth is an established fact.

In an odd way, the almost astounding success to date of the entertainment district, arena and several major office projects raises a question: how do we maintain momentum and what do we do for an encore?

Several are addressing the issue. Attracting another world headquarters to match the H&R Block office development probably tops the list. Not coincidentally, it’s part of a new initiative of civic leaders and Downtown business owners. Fortunately, the same “hard acts to follow” are already serving as catalysts to attract interest, including major corporate interest inside the downtown loop.

The $276 million Sprint Center, the $135 million Convention Center remodeling and other projects also will position Kansas City to be a stronger competitor for major conventions, meetings, concerts and sporting events—all of which will generate business Downtown.

Even in July 2006, the as yet incomplete Sprint Center received several college basketball bookings. The Big 12 men’s conference tournament will be held in 2008, the men’s first and second round games will be at the center in March 2009, and the women’s regional semifinals and finals will be held there in 2010. All of these are planned as only the beginning of events that are expected to increase with completion of the adjacent entertainment district.

The most positive element may be the continued recognition of the area’s importance itself. The expanded strength and vitality of the urban core is increasingly seen as fundamental to the overall health of the city. When former Mayor Emanuel Cleaver talked about the “donut city” with a hole in the middle, the comparison was ridiculed in some quarters. Today, suburban leaders and even residents recognize that the vitality of the region’s central city is fundamental to a healthy metropolitan area.

One of the greatest challenges may be tying that together. In concrete issues such as transportation or more abstract areas such as marketing, the connection between Downtown and the greater region is sometimes tenuous.

Transportation may be the great elephant in the dining room. Light rail is often seen as the monopoly of everybody’s favorite whipping boy, Clay Chastain. Yet one of the top issues in many business surveys throughout the region is the need for reliable mass transit. Suburban businesses want an affordable way to broaden their workforce pool, while suburban commuters increasingly are interested in a way to avoid $3 gasoline and parking hassles Downtown.

The expense of any fixed rail system is a very real reason this topic has gained little traction. Like the cost vs. benefit balance between gasoline prices and alternative fuels, light rail only becomes a wide topic when gasoline prices spike.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has made some significant progress, especially with its new rapid mass transit, MAX. Although a “chicken and egg” question of ridership and perception seems always involved, the first year of operation for this program has drawn additional traffic that supporters hope will help support continued expansion.

A related issue involves parking and traffic movement within the urban core, especially in the highly urbanized districts such as the Downtown loop, River Market and Crossroads. Although there is often no shortage of suggestions, one problem involves achieving consensus about how this critical issue should be handled.

Many agree that major benefits can result from improved pedestrian accessibility and improving retail or office storefront visibility. Ironically, one positive example already exists: the Country Club Plaza. Not coincidentally, the new entertainment district design utilizes many of the same techniques.

Like transportation, marketing is a topic with major regional implications. The Kansas City Area Development Council’s regional unity campaign, OneKC, is an recognized symbol of the area’s joint efforts and desire for more. But whether these projects receive adequate response, or even recognition in suburban areas, is always a question. Especially when tax incentives and the state line are involved, unity sometimes has a “dis” in front of it.

One marketing related area that is receiving attention involves existing business retention, an area often overlooked in many economic development efforts. Jeff Kasczmarick, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, noted joint efforts with the corporation and others are increasingly targeting that once overlooked group.

“We just launched a major retention effort,” he said. “We’re calling on companies throughout Kansas City to let them know of our services and that we are here to help them grow here. There have been ad hoc efforts in this area for some time, but nothing this focused.”

Related to marketing is the entire “look and feel” of Downtown. With the entertainment district and other developments, that environment is changing dramatically. Many expect the area’s draw to increase for both regional audiences as well as national investors.

Outside of areas such as the entertainment district, more can be done. The Downtown Streetscape Master Plan is a good start, although some form of broader application to areas such as the Crossroads District would seem logical.

All of these and other issues need action, but a final note may have been appropriately sounded by George Birt of Downtown Developers. “We’re doing about everything we should be doing,” he said. “There is competition; there are issues like interest rates. But overall, it’s a great market. I’m very upbeat.”