Are we excited about the latest prospect for downtown redevelopment?
We should be…If you’re not worked up already, I’ll try to get you in the mood to run out into the streets, yelling at the top of your voice.
The reason we need to bang all drums is that Julia Irene Kauffman, daughter of the late Muriel and Ewing Kauffman, is once again putting up big bucks to boost Kansas City.
Kauffman
Apparently not satisfied to let the awe-inspiring Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts stand as her only signature mark on Kansas City, the foundation that she heads and that bears her mother’s name is putting up a $20 million challenge grant to help move the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance to a site near the performing arts center.
If this comes to pass — and I definitely believe it will — it could make downtown Kansas City one of the nation’s top cities in terms of center-city artistic venues.
Don’t underestimate the impact of this move: It would be akin to the Unicorn Theatre catapulting to the level of the Missouri Rep, or the Missouri Mavericks hockey team (which plays in the 5,800-seat Independence Events Center) jumping to the National Hockey League. (Well, maybe not quite that big, but BIG, nevertheless.)
In 2011, The Star’s Kevin Collison wrote this: “Backers would expect the conservatory to achieve a top 10 ranking in the nation and attract 2,000 students within five years of opening the new campus.”
As it is, the conservatory has more than 700 students and staff and stages many public performances, at very reasonable admission prices, mostly at White Recital Hall, 4949 Cherry St., home of the Missouri Repertory Theatre.
Imagine more…and more elaborate…performances, still at reasonable prices, but downtown. That’s a key area where the public would benefit from this bold move.
In announcing the challenge grant on Wednesday — at the Kauffman Center, of course — Ms. Kauffman said:
“The conservatory is a vibrant community resource, and we believe the Downtown Arts Campus project has the potential to bring excitement and broad revitalized economic development to downtown, to the Kauffman Center and to other arts groups located downtown.”
Reporting on Ms. Kauffman’s announcement, Collison said two possible sites were under consideration. One is east of the Kauffman Center and covers two blocks from Wyandotte to Main, between 16th and 17th streets. The other includes sections of the blocks at the northwest and southeast corners of 17th and Broadway. The Kauffman Center is positioned right between those two sites.
As for the financing, here’s how that would work, as best I understand it.
It’s an $85 million to $90 million project. About half would come from the state, although the Missouri General Assembly has not yet allocated funds. The rest — another $40 million to $45 million — would be raised privately. With the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation putting up $20 million, that would mean private contributions of $20 million (the matching part) would make the project viable.
The corporate community can be expected to greet the challenge grant eagerly. The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has been gung ho on the project for more than two years, having included it in its 2011 “Big 5” wish list for Kansas City. Other “Big 5” ideas include making Kansas City the nation’s most entrepreneurial city and significantly upgrading the inner city.
It’s safe to say that, among the five big ideas, moving the UMKC conservatory downtown is far and away the leader in the clubhouse.
This is a project that, if sold correctly, could attract a lot of money from people of average means, as well as from the usual, deep-pocketed corporate leaders.
Just tell me where to send the check.
OK, now, get out into the streets and start whooping and hollering, as if the Royals had just won the pennant.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Jim,
This is a cool advancement for the arts in Kansas City. I hope the sewer pipes are checked.
I like it at 30,000 ft. At the grass roots not so much. Nothing like bringing uber liberal, emo, non violent, sensitive, touchie-feely arts students and faculty downtown as prey for the east side animals, check that, “scholars” to stalk.
A 17 year old kid from the Skills USA competition got robbed by some “scholars” in Westport yesterday, just out minding his own business.
Until the local Festrunk Brothers, Chet and Sly, wanna get serious about public safety and cracking some heads Bull Connor style this is more lipstick on a pig.
Now if somebody wants to fund 24/7 drones or some other Big Brother technology to guarantee the safety of faculty, students and patrons whilst going about their business and or pleasure you can have my full endorsement.
I just see a future in which some aspiring 20 year old ballerina or actress gets slaughtered like a goat in Afghanistan by some scholars over $25.00 and an iPhone.
I’d love to see downtown return to the way it was in the 60’s of my youth. Oh, but for one more Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and gravy at The Forum Cafeteria!
I ate at the Forum several times, Smartman. It was in the late 60s or maybe early 70s, when I was working nights, on general assignment. I believe it closed around ’75…Do you recall?
I also remember going to the Folly when it was dark and dungy and women were removing their clothes piece by piece on stage…Oh, how glorious!
Fitz, 75-ish sounds right for The Forum. Can close my eyes and see it and smell it like I just walked inside. Even then it played host to beggars and bankers the way no other place could.
As for the Folly. Personally, I don’t believe a downtown is a proper downtown without adult entertainment or distractions. KCK had a thriving downtown adult entertainment industry, legendary even, until Carol Marinovich showed up.
And let’s just say that’s she’s no saint when it comes to “sexuality”. I can back that up if necessary.
When travelling on business back in the 80’s, guys would ask where I was from and I’d tell them KC. They all knew about Batchelors III and The Red Apple. They held them in the same regard as the Olympic Garden in Las Vegas or Mons Venus in Tampa, both well know for allowing liberal activity to take place. There was always a cab queue outside both clubs as the majority of patrons were conventioneers from KCMO.
Naive as we may be, the convention business is, still, ruled by prurient interests when it comes to sight selection. More than a new convention hotel, a proper red light district with strip clubs, licensed prostitutes and maybe even legal marijuana would give the biz a swift kick in the ass that the CVB can’t.
“Sight selection”….Now there’s a beautiful turn on an otherwise mundane term.
You guys are kilin it!
:)
Thanks, Chuck…Good to hear from you…Patty and I are going to be in California over the Fourth, so I should have something to report when I get back, Happy Independence Day!
You too Fitz!!
God I hate LA.
You just have to pick your spots carefully, like Angel Stadium, Santa Anita and a day trip to San Diego.
Safe travels Fitz. Despite my right wing inclination I love Venice Beach. Santa Barbara is like heaven. I highly recommend a visit to the Fess Parker Winery. The Reagan Library, if you haven’t been is must see, no matter your politics. It is a walk thru history. The exterior panoramic views are spectacular. Enjoy!