A most puzzling situation appears to be nearing a critical stage regarding one of Kansas City’s most popular tourist attractions — the Steamboat Arabia.
The Arabia, a City Market fixture since 1991, seems to be headed to St. Charles, MO, and Kansas City officials are all but shrugging their shoulders.
Recently, Steamboat Arabia owner David Hawley signed a letter of intent to work exclusively with St. Charles over the next six months to develop a plan to move the museum there. Surprisingly, this significant development has not made many waves, either publicly or in the news media.
Now, I haven’t been to the Arabia in many years, and for local people it’s something of one-time-and-you’re-done experience, but it sure draws a lot of out-of-town visitors to the City Market — visitors who are spending money and boosting the economy.
While the Arabia is a far cry from the Nelson-Atkins Gallery of Art and the National World War I Museum, TripAdvisor ranks it Kansas City’s third top tourist attraction, behind those two and ahead of places like Union Station, Kauffman Stadium, the zoo and the Plaza.
On May 28, KCUR had a story in which it reported that Hawley had told the economic development director in St. Charles that Kansas City officials had informed him they did not intend to renew his lease after the current one expires in 2026.
Each of the four local TV stations has had at least a website story, while The Star has had nothing — at least that I could find through its website search box.
Shining the brightest light on the Arabia situation has been Kevin Collison and his subscription-based CitySceneKC. When it comes to breaking news, particularly on business developments, CityScene is the most aggressive outlet in KC.
Collison’s first story on the Arabia situation appeared on Friday, May 27 (a day before KCUR’s story), and he has another one today. Today’s story stresses city officials’ apparent disinterest in the Arabia’s possible departure. Collison wrote…
Neither City Manager Brian Platt nor Kathy Nelson, head of VisitKC, the regional tourism organization, could be reached for comment. The manager of the City market, KC Commercial Realty, said they couldn’t discuss the lease.
Very strange.
Amplifying the city’s lack of interest was Ryan Cox, a commenter on Collison’s first story, who said: “If it’s such a huge tourist draw, it seems very odd the city seems to not care that they’re leaving. Is there more to the story?”
Undoubtedly there is…Here are some possibilities, as I see it:
- David Hawley has rubbed city officials the wrong way.
- City officials have decided they’re unwilling to give Hawley another square foot of space for expansion he has been pushing for.
- Some out-of-towners coming to the Arabia drive RV’s, which exacerbates the City Market parking problem.
- The Arabia’s stay in KC has run its course and it’s time to move on.
I don’t think this is a case of Hawley using the threat of going elsewhere as a bargaining chip. Otherwise, city officials would be saying things like, “We’ve been in discussions with Mr. Hawley and are trying to find a solution” or, “We value our long relationship with the Arabia and hope it remains in Kansas City.”
Instead, nothing. The silence is deafening.
What that silence tells me is that this is probably “Bye-bye, Arabia.” It’s been a good run. Maybe David Hawley needs St. Charles more than KC. Certainly, the Arabia would be more important to St. Charles than it is to KC.
In any event, thanks to Kevin Collison for giving an appropriate amount of attention to this important story. When the captain calls out, “Anchors Aweigh,” CityScene readers won’t be surprised.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Another option is that national retailer X has indicated to the city that they would be desirous of putting in a mega store in that location that would provide for substantial sales tax revenues, etc.
Now THAT’S a revoltin’ development…
As is sometimes the case, John is a bit hazy here…In any event, Gayle,I don’t think you have to worry about a “revoltin’ development.”
Jim, hats off to you and Kevin Collison for your fine reporting. It indeed would be a shame if the Steamboat Arabia leaves Kansas City. It’s a wonderful museum, though I must admit that I also have not visited there in many years. If they have to pull out of the City Market, I wish they could move into the old Kansas City Star Press Pavilion.
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“it sure draws a lot of out-of-town visitors to the City Market — visitors who are spending money and boosting the economy.”
I read that a lot but have never seen a study quantifying those amounts: How many out-of-town visitors? How much do they spend?
If I were covering this story, I would want to have those numbers so I can provide them early on in the story. At the very least, they would show readers the steamboat’s impact — or lack thereof, if that’s the case — and thus why they should care enough to keep reading.
Maybe the city has those figures and found them wanting. Anybody know?
Excellent point, Tim…I should have tried to reach Hawley yesterday to get those figures. I’ll put in a call today.
Somehow I remember there was a dust up between the city and the owners of the Arabia in the past.
I took my parents to the Arabia over 20 years ago. They enjoyed it immensely. I’ve had other relatives/friends come to town since then and none have shown any interest in going. It is definitely a one time attraction.
Also downtown and the City Market are much different places than when the Arabia went in 25-30 years ago — more people, more traffic and more demand for space in the Market area.
It is also curious that the Arabia folks are talking to St. Charles. I have relatives there. The downtown shops/restaurant area near the river they feel has been in decline for a number of years now. The city may be looking for something to boost the number of people coming there.
It is also curious that there is no talk of any possible relocation elsewhere in the KC metro area. Lack of interest by any other city/county? Maybe the other entities know what the true financial impact really is and have taken a hard pass.
News of the Steamboat Arabia leaving Kansas City is both disappointing and sad because it has been such a fine asset for both local visitors and for drawing in tourists from out of town due to its uniqueness.
The Hawley’s initially dug up the Arabia on what had been the Sorter Family Farm on the south side of Nearman Bend which resulted following a shift in the Missouri River channel, probably before the Civil War. These steamboats are usually found where rivers make historic shifts in flood periods.
Nearman Band was annexed into KCK some 70-years ago. One of the BPU’s major power plants occupies the western half of the bend. It has been surprising that none of those who promote economic development/CVB activities in KCK have not attempted to attract the develop to jump start Downtown Kansas City, Kansas which has huge amount of open ground.
Such a Downtown KCK development would surely bring many other amenities including restaurants, motels, varied businesses etc., similar to what has occurred in KCMO. The long stagnation of that area make no sense for the good of the entire metropolitan area. Thank you.