"The future of Kansas City is here and now" so articulates Mayor Kay Barnes. The proposed downtown arena, The Sprint Center, represents a significant opportunity in showcasing Kansas City as a world-class venue. The downtown arena is a cornerstone to Kansas City's rejuvenation of a world-class city where the fabric of business, entertainment, retail, and technology are woven together. The message from Mayor Kay Barnes to the citizens of Kansas City is clear and passionate "The future of Kansas City is here and now". Kansas City is embarking on a moment of opportunity where its development projects are several pieces that make up a holistic master plan. The mayor is gratified that the private, public, civic, philanthropic, and political elements have come together in providing such an opportunity for Kansas City. "There is a realization that there is a moment of opportunity and that time of opportunity has come for Kansas City." Each development component needs to happen for the greater vision of Kansas City to be realized as well as recognized as a world-class city.

The Vision:

The downtown arena will provide a world-class venue for sporting events, concerts, and conventions that will serve as an anchor component to the "KC Live" entertainment district. Events such the Big 12 tournament with its "Big 12 Festival" will not only showcase the arena's features but will highlight the National Association of Basketball Coaches museum as well as the walking distance attractions of the entertainment district. It is the desire of the mayor that Kansas City will serve as such a destination by providing year round activities that meet the needs of local, regional, national, and international venues.

The Planning:

Mayor Barnes is immensely pleased with the tenacious work done to date by those involved in bringing the project to fruition. It has been a partnership of public and private sectors and has included City Manager Wayne Cauthen, Herb Kohn of Bryan Cave, Jack Holland of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., the Sports Commission, City Council, City staff, and the EDC. Public reaction has been the most positive that the mayor has experienced in her thirteen years of public service. "The arena has been the realization of a core group of people as well as public recognition that the downtown arena is a major piece to the holistic view to Kansas City's blueprint of development." Herb Kohn values the partnership of the public and private sectors in recognizing the respective strengths and weaknesses. "Take advantage of the synergies and maximize the enterprises that both provide." Other examples of synergies working together include Cordish, H&R Block, the IRS Center, and the Performing Arts Center all leveraging key relationships and strengths. City Manager Wayne Cauthen stresses design/build best practices throughout the project. The city manager is a seasoned city manager that has guided several projects in Denver including the Pepsi Center and the Coors Field.

The Design:

It is the desire of the mayor that the arena will not only emulate design best practices but will provide features unique such as the ability to view the venue's activity from the surrounding components of the arena, thus creating an open and engaging design. The arena will be designed for the NBA and NHL—ready in anticipation of its major league tenancy in Kansas City.

The Downtown Arena a cooperative effort involving the City of Kansas City, Anschutz Entertainment Group Sprint and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, will be designed to accomodate a variety of major league sports.

Finance:

According to City Manager Wayne Cauthen, the $250 million downtown arena is a partnership of public and private finance which consists of $143 million public revenue generated from hotel and auto rental fees as well as $107 million from the private sector of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Sprint, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. CSL of Minneapolis, MN has provided in-depth analysis in regards to feasibility and market studies as it relates to the viability of the arena mixed activities. The mayor is quick to recognize that both AEG and Sprint not only bring a global recognition and experience but a local presence that has been involved with Kansas City as a community as leaders within their respective industries of sports management and telecommunications. "The future of Kansas City is here and now" both with the downtown arena as well as its part of the holistic blueprint of Kansas City. Mayor Kay Barnes has created the vision with tenacity by creating a partnership of both public and private sectors in creating a world-class Kansas City.

The Downtown Arena a cooperative effort involving the City of Kansas City, Anschutz Entertainment Group Sprint and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, will be designed to accomodate a variety of major league sports.