A busy night Downtown
Holy smokes, it felt like a Big 12 Tournament weekend when I was enjoying beverages with my friend Jason at a few establishments Downtown last Thursday. (Shout out to Milwaukee Delicatessen and Casual Animal Brewing). The streetcars were packed, the bars and restaurants were busy, and there were people walking around Downtown everywhere, from River Market to Crossroads and all points in between.
On a day like that, I’ve often wondered, “Who are all these people and why are they Downtown on a weeknight?” So, I checked the “Welcome” section of our July 24 issue of “In The Loop” (compiled by intern Hannah), and learned that the American Academy of Family Physicians National Conference started that day at Bartle Hall. There were also concerts at the Midland and at the KC Live! Block in P&L. Plus, it was a rare, gorgeous night weather-wise, so I think everyone who lives or works Downtown went out that night, too.
Makes me wonder how electric Downtown will be when the NFL Draft happens next year and the World Cup arrives in 2026!
Crystal Marie Support Fund
Also, a special note about this week’s “Artful City” artwork: An artist named Crystal Marie, whom I have not had the pleasure to meet but who shares mutual friends with me here in KC, needs some of our famous Kansas City love. Read more about her story via links under her artwork (below).
KC’s first (short-term) mayor born Aug 4, 1825
The very first mayor of Kansas City, William S. Gregory, was born this Thursday in 1825 in Kentucky. Gregory was elected to office by only 63 voters in 1853 (out of approximately 2,500 citizens), defeating his opponent Dr. Benoist Troost by a count of 36 to 27. (Yes, Troost Avenue is named after Benoist Troost.)
However, Mayor Gregory resigned only 10 months later when it was discovered that his farm home was just outside the incorporated city limits, making him ineligible to be mayor. Despite leaving office, Gregory was described as “one of the most prominent citizens of Kansas City” by the Kansas City Times after he passed way 34 years later on August 11, 1887.
And, in yet another odd coincidence of history, the former mayor passed away at his home … on Troost Avenue.
A street was not named after Gregory (71st Street) until 1930.
Is the Zero Fare streetcar and bus program good for Kansas City?
The nation took notice when KC announced three years ago that the bus system in Kansas City, Mo., would be joining the streetcar as free to all riders. Next City, a publication that focuses on “solutions for just and equitable cities,” wrote about the good and the bad, but points out an interesting result of the Zero Fare program regarding safety:
“Besides the increased mobility and financial benefits, nearly 80% of the residents surveyed also said Zero Fare increased their sense of safety on the bus…. Indeed, the total number of incidents where supervisors were called fell 39% in the first year of full Zero Fare transit … according to MARC. Incidents per 100,000 riders fell 17%.”
Here’s the full story:
LINK: Kansas City’s Zero Fare Transit Program Shows Major Success – And What Still Needs to Be Done
Grand Boulevard looks a whoooole lot different Downtown
Airline History Museum lease dispute leads to disturbing threats
The Airline History Museum has occupied space in Hangar 9 at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport rent-free since 1986. However, airport operator Signature Flight Support has moved to evict the museum for non-payment after getting the City Council to change the agreement in 2019 so that the museum must pay rent from that point on.
What bothers me, though, is that—according to the Kansas City Business Journal—the Clay County Sheriff’s eviction notice that had a July 18, 2022, deadline stated that “the landlord could remove [rare and historically important aircraft] ‘to the curb unsecured.’ After 24 hours, the aircraft would be considered abandoned and ‘disposed of.’”
The museum has filed an appeal in court, but if you see a 1957 Lockheed Super Constellation and other aircraft tossed to the side of the road near Downtown Airport, you’ll know why.
The full Business Journal article (possible pay-wall) here:
LINK: Downtown Airport operator tries to evict Airline History Museum, 'dispose of' aircraft
1910
Artful City: One weekly selection with a Downtown connection
Quick Clip: The city in motion—just a few seconds at a time
Testing out my new rear-view mirror phone caddy. A little shaky, but not bad. Among the buildings seen while driving north on Baltimore: Hotel Kansas City (former Kansas City Club), Muehlebach Hotel, One Kansas City Place, Hotel Phillips, Lightwell Building (formerly City Center Square), Hotel Bray (now residential), Hotel Indigo, Mark Twain Tower (soon to be re-opened as "The Mark" apartments"), Library District, Central Library, and stopping on the New York Life Building at 9th and Baltimore. The Loop
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….
TUESDAY the 2nd
Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin at the T-Mobile Center
Anthrax & Black Label Society at the Midland
THURSDAY the 4th
Shaklee Global Conference continues through the 6th at Bartle Hall
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights at KC Live! Block in P&L
FRIDAY the 5th
PBR Team Series - Outlaw Days continues through the 7th at the T-Mobile Center
The Dead South at GrindersKC
Seussical: The Musical continues through the 6th at Kauffman Center
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
Until next week—enjoy the city!
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
Hannah Schuh, Intern
107 W. Ninth Street, Suite 210
Kansas City, MO 64105
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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.
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The Kiwinda-Tinsley Family
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I had a friend in town from New Hampshire for the AAFP conference and he was pretty blown away by KC. He kept saying how impressed he was, and how it was not what he was expecting. Always love hearing that from visitors!