Dear resident:

Thank you for reading June's edition of Insight. I hope this edition enhances your knowledge of summer events and activities in the City – and how we are working for our residents.

Drilldown study challenges U.S. Census information on City

The City partnered with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Social Compact, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing business investment in urban core neighborhoods, to implement a project to create a more accurate picture of Kansas City’s population and income. The project released a study showing that Kansas City’s urban core has more spending power than previously thought. This matters because it makes the city more attractive to investors, hotels, shopping centers, banks, developers and potential federal funding. 

Kansas City selected as Fast City
Fast Company magazine named Kansas City as one of 12 Fast Cities around the world for its creativity and innovation. Specifically, it cited the city's downtown redevelopment, including the Sprint Center, the Nelson-Atkins Museum's expansion and the animal-health corridor that's home to 120 bioscience firms. The list includes Beijing, Moscow, Barcelona and Seattle. Being recognized for our efforts to continually improve and expand our city only confirms what we are working toward.

City conducts workshop to incorporate sustainability into operations
The City held a two-day workshop June 2 and 3 at Cerner’s Riverport Campus, for department directors to learn how to incorporate sustainability to promote social equity, economic vitality, and environment quality. It's crucial for the City to be proactive in training staff on sustainability and identifying ways to incorporate sustainability into City operations. The City will implement the new ideas from the workshop in accordance with the City’s Green Solutions Policy.

Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District projects continue
The Capital Improvements Management Office is working on four projects in the historic 18th & Vine area. City residents selected “Musical Words” as the winning design for the new signage for the 18th & Vine Jazz District. The rooftop sign will be installed on top of the building on the northeast corner of 18th Street and The Paseo. Also at the corner of 18th Street and The Paseo, you'll find a new parking lot.  Across the street, construction will begin on a landscaped patio area designed as an open and inviting space for the community. Several retail spaces in this historic area also are being restored so that new businesses can move in. The patio and retail space projects are expected to go out to bid to the week of June 23. Find more information at the City's plan room.

City to be represented on board of national community improvement group
I have been asked to serve on the board of trustees for the Partners for Livable Communities, a national non-profit organization that improves communities by promoting quality of life, economic development and social equity. I am honored and see this as an opportunity to share practices that have worked here, and bring back other successful programs and concepts to help Kansas City continue to develop economically, socially and culturally.

Summer in the city
Stay cool this summer by attending free swim pool parties. The free swims take place at neighborhood pools across the city on:
Tuesday, June 24: Grove Pool, Benton Boulevard and Truman Road
Tuesday, July 8: Swope Pool, 6700 Lewis Road
Tuesday, July 22: Brush Creek Pool, Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and Cleveland
Tuesday, Aug. 5: Budd Pool, Budd Park Esplanade and Denver

See a Movie; See Kansas City brings movies to neighborhoods across the city. All movies are free, open to the public and begin at dusk. Find a schedule of movies and locations near you.

MusicFest comes to Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., on July 3. The Commodores and Evelyn "Champagne" King will perform at the family friendly event. Tickets are on sale at the Municipal Auditorium Box Office, at Ticketmaster or by calling (913) 931-3330.

KC After Dark is a summer-long program that offers a variety of activities to youth ages 12-17 years old. These supervised activities, which run through August, include visits to Worlds of Fun, movie night at the Power & Light District, lock-ins, basketball competitions and more. Find out more on summer camps and other activities.

As always, I appreciate your feedback. Please feel free to e-mail questions and comments to my office at Insight@kcmo.org.  

Sincerely,
Wayne A. Cauthen
City manager
City of Kansas City, Mo.