On Thursday, May 9th, the Downtown Council of Kansas honored four businesses for their commitment to Downtown Kansas City.
The cocktail event took place at the Ambassador Hotel’s newly renovated and historic Gate City National Bank building at 1111 Grand.
Over 90 Downtown Council Members, city officials and guests were in attendance.

Businesses honored:

Ambassador Hotel: a boutique hotel located at 1111 Grand, close proximity to the Sprint Center, Kauffman Center and Power & Light District.
Apex Engineers: a regional structural engineering firm specializing in residential and commercial building construction located at 1600 Baltimore.
Gragg Advertising: an agency that specializes in direct response marketing focused on driving consumers to retails, education, legal, medical, etc. Located at 450 E. 4th St.
Larson Binkley: a top specialty engineering firms in North America, focused on retail and restaurant chains located at 310 W. 20th St.

The Downtown CID celebrated its 10 anniversary in April — a decade of clean and safe leadership in Downtown. The Downtown and River Market CID Ambassadors celebrated in style on Friday, April 19, as board members and Downtown Council colleagues acknowledged the accomplishments of both CIDs at the Annual Party at the Central Public Library. 

“Downtown – both the Central Business District and the River Market – is definitely a different place from 10 years ago when the first yellow barrel hit the streets, the first graffiti tag came down and the first Bumblebee greeted that lonely Downtown employee with a friendly smile. And Downtown is definitely a better place,” said Mark Rowlands, CID director.

The CID Ambassadors are widely acknowledged for serving as the start of Downtown’s revitalization, as they began working daily to make Downtown clean and safe for residents, employees and visitors.

That work continues to accelerate in the River Market. Just last year, the TIF Commission named the RMCID as its developer for public improvements in the River Market District. The RMCID will manage the use of $825,000 over the next 10 years to make improvements.  

“The TIF funds will prove to be a great investment in the health and vitality of the River Market,” Rowlands said. “The public improvements that will stem from these dollars will make the district even more attractive for business and residential growth.”

In January, the RMCID sought proposals from contractors to repair approximately 1,500 linear feet of damaged curbs, 7,200 square feet of concrete sidewalks and 6,400 square feet of paver sidewalks from 3rd Street to Independence Avenue and Grand Avenue to Wyandotte Street.

Rowlands said that Musselman and Hall Contractors have been selected as the contractor. Work will begin in June on the selected areas, once the permitting process has been completed with the City.

“The RMCID has met with the City to coordinate repair work so as to not conflict with utility relocation and track construction for the new Downtown streetcar, which is due to begin operations in about two years,” Rowlands said.

The RMCID is also in the process of working with Pro Circuit Incorporated on a proposal to retrofit all 176 high-intensity discharge, or tungsten, pedestrian lights in the River Market to LED. The total cost for the retrofit will cost approximately $47,000, but will be eligible for about $23,000 in rebates from KCP&L. The LED retrofit will result in close to $10,000 in energy savings annually. The LED lamps have a 100,000-hour life which will also reduce maintenance costs.

And, while the TIF funds will provide the RMCID with a lengthy list of projects, that will not impede the Ambassadors’ daily duties to keep the River Market clean, safe and green.

“The River Market CID Public Safety Ambassadors continue to be on the front lines to ensure a safe Downtown community, while the Public Maintenance Ambassadors remain dedicated to making our streets clean and inviting,” Rowlands said.

Keith Libeer (center), CID Public Safety Ambassador, accepted the Certified Tourism Ambassador Gold Star Award during the Kansas City Convention and Visitor Association’s Annual Meeting. Presenting the award were Rick Hughes (left), KCCVA president, and Bill George, Kansas City Transportation Group CEO.

Keith Libeer, Community Improvement District (CID) Public Safety Ambassador, was recognized with the Certified Tourism Ambassador Gold Star Award during the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association’s (KCCVA) Annual Meeting on May 2. 

The Gold Star Award honors a Certified Tourism Ambassador who demonstrates exemplary customer service skills and a great knowledge of Kansas City and its attractions and who has worked to promote the ideals of the Heartland Tourism Ambassador program.

“Since 2004, Keith has been providing unsurpassed service to visitors and residents as a safety ambassador,” said Mark Rowlands, CID director. “His knowledge of the district, attractions and even bus routes continues to inspire those around him. His friendly, easy going demeanor along with his extensive knowledge exemplifies his pride and genuine desire to make every visitor encounter memorable.”

“It’s really no surprise that Keith was recognized for his work as a CID Ambassador,” Sean O’Byrne, CID executive director, said. “Keith takes his work as an Ambassador very seriously and always has a lot of fun doing it. We are grateful to have him as part of our team and proud that he has been recognized by the KCCVA.”

Mayor Sly James welcomed nearly 600 people from the tourism and hospitality industry at the KCCVA’s annual meeting at the Kansas City Convention Center Grand Ballroom. The luncheon kicked off National Travel & Tourism Week (May 4 – 12) and celebrated the importance of meetings and meeting planners.

Students prepare to wrap up their first year of studies at the Crossroads Academy charter elementary school.

Randy Mason, the program’s executive producer, said the story looks at how the school’s urban location is providing students with unique cultural and civic educational opportunities and giving parents who live in the downtown area a neighborhood school option.

“Our vision at the Crossroads Academy is to be the premier urban school serving Kansas City’s youth and a destination for other educators seeking inspiration and best practices,” said Dean Johnson, executive director and co-founder.

KCPT works in partnership with the Downtown Council to identify and produce a minimum of four stories per year on topics of strategic importance to Downtown. The Crossroads Academy story is the second story this that falls under this agreement. The first story on the burgeoning Silicon Prairie tech district in the Crossroads made its debut in March.

Remember… 7 p.m. this Thursday, May 23 on KCPT channel 19.

You won’t want to miss it! But, if you do…. then the story will air again at:

• 12:30 a.m. Friday, May 24
• 5:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25
• 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26
• And, via the KCPT website

This year’s Maker Faire is set for the weekend of June 29-30 at Union Station. Find out more in this blog post or jump right in by clicking the “Makers Apply Here” Button.

2012 was a success due to the dedication of each one of the Makers, according to the event organizers.

“We sincerely appreciate your efforts and thank you for your support,” said Luis Rodriguez, a member of the Maker Faire KC organizing team. “During the weekend, you were one of 260+ makers who showcased and shared what you make, and together we touched over 10,000 attendees, many of which attended both days!

“Maker Faire continues to encourage new makers and nurture the maker community. The impact we have on inspiring and educating people of the DIY culture is immeasurable and important. We are on track for breaking records again this year!”

To apply for the Maker Faire, click here. And remember, the deadline for entries is this Friday.

#1 Downtown living

• May 19: Urban homes tour @ 14 Downtown locations

#2 Memorial Day Celebration

• May 26: Celebration at the Station @ Union Station 

#3 Play that funky music

• May 18: Alex Bugnon & Cindy Bradley @ Gem Theater
• May 18: Downtown Hoedown with Clay Walker @ Power & Light District
• May 21: Of Monsters and Men @ Crossroads KC
• May 22: Soundgarden @ Midland

#4 Fashionistas!

• May 17: Rock the Block Fashion Show @ Power & Light District
• June 7: West 18^th Street Fashion Show @ Crossroads

#5 The lights are much brighter when you’re Downtown

• May 17: Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie @ Midland
• May 17-19: Downtown Art Annual @ Power & Light District
• May 20: WWE Raw @ Sprint Center

ENACTUS is a non-profit organization that unites a global community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and enable real human progress. Guided by faculty advisors and business experts, participating students form teams on their campuses to create and implement sustainable community projects that empower people to improve their quality of life and standard of living.

“The experience not only transforms lives, it helps students develop the kind of talent and perspective that are essential to becoming effective, values-driven leaders,” said Matt McGraw, president and CEO of Data Systems International and executive committee member of the Downtown Council.

The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association estimates the economic impact of the convention at $4.3 million. This is based on spending by the attendees and the organization.

Attendees will be housed at the Aladdin Hotel & Spa, Crowne Plaza Kansas City – Downtown, Hotel Phillips and Marriott Kansas City Downtown. The Marriott will serve as the headquarter hotel. Convention activities will take place at the Kansas City Convention and Entertainment Facilities.

Crossroads Academy, a tuition free elementary school, is in its first year of preparing students to excel in high school through an academically rigorous K-8 education. The KCPT story will appear as part of The Local Show, the public television station’s weekly program devoted to stories in the greater Kansas City area. 

Randy Mason, the program’s executive producer, said the story looks at how the school’s urban location is providing students with unique cultural and civic educational opportunities and giving parents who live in the downtown area a neighborhood school option.

“Our vision at the Crossroads Academy is to be the premier urban school serving Kansas City’s youth and a destination for other educators seeking inspiration and best practices,” said Dean Johnson, executive director and co-founder.

KCPT works in partnership with the Downtown Council to identify and produce a minimum of four stories per year on topics of strategic importance to Downtown. The Crossroads Academy story is the second story this year that falls in this agreement. The first story on the burgeoning Silicon Prairie tech district in the Crossroads made its debut in March.

Remember… 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23 on KCPT channel 19. You won’t want to miss it!

Sean O’Byrne and Bill Dietrich, Image Courtesy of the Kansas City Star

The Downtown Council is moving this week to a new office suite at 10th & Walnut that overlooks the future streetcar line on Main Street.

Even though the new space is less than a half block from the current location, the new offices in the Commerce Bank Building will be bathed in natural sunlight thanks to large windows on the west and north.

“We are looking forward to the sunlight and the views of Downtown and the Central Library,” said Bill Dietrich, president and CEO. “The space illuminates who we are and what we do – continuously working to turn up the intensity, or the lights, of Downtown Kansas City.”

The DTC staff will be moving for the rest of this week, so they ‘ll be ready to open for business in their new space on Monday, May 20. A special grand opening reception is planned for 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 7.

Effective Monday, the new DTC address will be 1000 Walnut St., Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64106. The phone and website will remain the same: 816-421-1539, FAX 816-421-1661 and www.downtownkc.org.

Click here to learn more.

McGraw Station, Seattle

The City and the Downtown Streetcar project design team met last week with property owners along the streetcar route to discuss the design of streetcar stops.  Meetings were held in the River Market, Central Business District and Crossroads to gather input on the design of the  shelters, benches/leaning rails, way-finding signs and other stop amenities. 

The City also wants to hear from you and learn your preferences regarding the overall look and feel of the stops as well as configuration preferences, color schemes and amenities.

Take the Survey Now (click here) (Survey will be available until May 24)