In The Loop: January 8
Your connection to Downtown Kansas City
Wow! Thanks, Loopers!
Since I wrote last week about The Loop’s reduced subscription rates, the ability to send a one-time gift of support via Venmo, and how you can help by simply sharing and posting The Loop, many of you have already taken action.
Special thanks to Bob and Susan Hiatt, our newest Founding Members.
We very much appreciate everyone’s support in the form of subscriptions, gifts, and sharing The Loop! On to 2023!
#TheLoopWantsToKnow
Did you see our poll this week about T-Mobile Center? If not, your chance to chime in is here.
And now, on to the The Loop….
The godmother of Gaudalupe
Today is the birthdate of Dorothy Gallagher, born to a wealthy Kansas City family in 1894, and later to become one of the most influential advocates for Mexican-born residents in Downtown’s Westside neighborhood and beyond.
After studying at the New York School of Social Work, Gallagher continued focusing on the concerns of residents whose community was centered around Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Downtown Kansas City. In 1936, Gallagher and her family financed and opened the Guadalupe Center building, a Spanish-style social and educational services center where Dorothy lived and worked without pay. The center offered classes, clubs, activities, events, job assistance, and interpretive services that would draw attention and respect nationwide.
Gallagher left the United States in 1944 to assist in post-war France, at which time the Kansas City Catholic Diocese took over Guadalupe Center. When she returned to Kansas City, she continued her generous work in the community before passing away in 1982 at the age of 82.
Today, Guadalupe Centers is the oldest continuously operating agency serving Latinos in the United States.
Cosentino’s brings its “A”-game Downtown in 2009
Also this month, 14 years ago, a real benchmark in Downtown progress was met when the beautiful, 33,000 square-foot Cosentino’s Downtown Market grocery store opened at 13th and Main. The store includes a sushi bar, gelato counter, Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates, salad bar, bakery, liquor department, a specialty cheese section, in-store chefs for prepared foods and a deli — plus all the staples for Downtown residents, workers, and visitors alike.
LaDene Morton to speak about the 1900 Convention Hall fire today
At the turn of the 20th century, Kansas City was betting its future as a major metropolis of the New West on the construction of a grand convention hall and its selection as host of the 1900 Democratic National Convention. The city’s fortunes looked promising. But tragedy struck April 4, 1900 — a mere three months before the convention — when a devastating fire turned the hall into smoldering ruins. Details for today’s free 2 p.m. event at the Central Library can be found here:
LINK: Stories of the 1900 Convention Hall Fire
$1.7 trillion federal spending bill includes funds for Downtown
Sen. Roy Blunt, who just retired, landed $28.6 million for the South Loop Park Project, which is where I-670 will be capped with a deck to create a park — while also reconnecting the Central Business District with the Crossroads District.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver has brought home $4 million for recreational opportunities in neighborhoods along Bruce R. Watkins Highway, among other projects. The Kansas City Star has more here:
LINK: Biden signed a $1.7 trillion spending bill. Here’s what’s in it for Kansas and Missouri
Huge water main at 17th and Main restored
A 30-inch water main that broke two Fridays ago, and caused a boil-water order way beyond the immediate area, was restored this past week. A KC Water spokesperson told KSHB-TV that, because the city has been replacing the system over the past 8 years, there are actually fewer breaks now than in the recent past: 900 incidents in 2021; only 490 in 2022. Read (or watch) more here:
LINK: 30-inch water main to be restored Tuesday
Prefer to support The Loop with a one-time gift instead of a subscription?
You can Venmo a one-time gift of any amount to @kcdowntownloop, or use the QR code below. There are no benefits to making this gift, but you still have access to the free weekly emails and online content — along with our never-ending gratitude.
(FYI, Pure Missouri is a sister business to The Loop. We’re trying to change the display name to “The Loop,” but Venmo won’t allow the change currently.)
1970
Artful City: One weekly selection with a Downtown connection
Downtown Lens: A single image depicting the urban aesthetic
Who are all these people?
Answering the question “Who are all these people and where are they going?”, The Loop brings you a list of some of the biggest events happening Downtown each week. Please give a friendly Downtown-Kansas City welcome to audiences and attendees of….
TODAY
Last performance, Kansas City Symphony presents Uptown Nights, this afternoon at Kauffman Center
Kansas City Engaged wedding exposition at Bartle Hall
FRIDAY the 13th
Kansas City Symphony presents The Fountains and Pines of Rome, Plus Mozart's Third Violin Concerto, Jan 13-15 at Kauffman Center
SATURDAY the 14th
Monster Jam, today and tomorrow at T-Mobile Center
ONGOING
Sensatia, Cirque Cabaret, through Feb. 4 at the Grand Theater, Crown Center
Crown Center Ice Terrace 2022-2023 Season, through March 12
Maya: The Exhibition, extended through March 12 at Union Station
For a more exhaustive list of everything happening Downtown, go to the VisitKC events page and use the “regions” function to search for Downtown, Westside/Southwest Blvd, West Bottoms, River Market, Power & Light, Crown Center, Crossroads, 18th & Vine — or anywhere you want to go in the KC Metro
For live Kansas City Jazz performances, visit LiveJazzKC.com
Got a tip or question about Downtown KC?
Write to: tips@kcdowntownloop.com or contact The Loop via social media
Kevin Worley, Co-Publisher/Editorial
Joe Nichols, Co-Publisher/Business
Become a Founding Subscriber
In addition to having access to all content, and receiving invitations to The Loop’s Downtown events, Founders Level subscribers ($200 annually, or any amount above) receive a Downtown Loop sticker, a T-shirt in their choice of fit, size, and color, and recognition on the website.
THANK YOU TO THESE FOUNDING SUBSCRIBERS….
Karin (Erickson) Bradford
Henna and Steve Fuller
Chris Gahagan
Bob and Susan Hiatt
The Kiwinda-Tinsley Family
Todd and Donna Martin
Jane Reed and Mark Patterson
Anonymous