by Amanda Bertholf // Fall 2012
The arts scene in downtown Kansas City is expanding with the grand opening of the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, and UMKC hopes to get in on the action. A downtown arts campus would improve educational opportunities for students in all fields, boost economic development for the region, enhance Kansas City’s ongoing arts renaissance and inject millions of dollars into the local economy over the next 25 years. That is the conclusion of a series of studies commissioned by the university after the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce named a downtown arts campus one of the Big 5 goals for the city. UMKC began investigating the concept of a downtown campus as a means to address several challenges and opportunities, including the university’s need for increased space and improved facilities for its visual and performing arts programs and the challenge of growth on the Volker campus. These reports include a study of potential sites and costs, a review of the impact on the university of moving arts programs downtown and an economic impact study conducted by the Mid-America Regional Council. A timeline included in the study calls for discussions regarding a funding plan to be completed soon. Here’s a look at the top three sites the study recommends for potential locations.
Site 1
Barney Allis Plaza
13th Street and Wyandotte
Pros:
» Near public transit
» Close to performance venues
» On-site parking
» Publicly owned land
Cons:
» Lack of visibility
Site 2
Kauffman Center southwest
17th Street and Broadway
Pros:
» Near public transit
» Neighborhood walkability
» Proximity to arts district
Cons:
» Cost of acquisition
» Lack of parking
Site 3
Kauffman Center east
Between Wyandotte and Main streets from 16th to 17th streets
Pros:
» Near public transit
» Walkable neighborhood
» Close proximity to performance venues
» Student neighborhood amenities
» Strong visibility
» Potential for multiple buildings
» Synergy with the arts community
Cons:
» Cost of acquisition
» Lack of parking