City Attractions

Kansas City’s attractions – from museums and historic landmarks to shopping and dining districts to sports arenas and the city’s famous fountains – draw people from around the region, give the city its unique identity and add to the quality of life for residents. City attractions include all areas in the natural and built environment – the cultural, recreational, shopping, outdoor, and entertainment destinations that make Kansas City an exciting place to live, work, and visit. The city should expand and support cultural and entertainment districts, festivals, and community events to ensure Kansas City retains the region's major attractions. It is also important to continue to support, promote, and nurture public art and other creative assets to attract visitors as well as to attract and retain artists and cultural institutions.

Easy access to these attractions makes Kansas City and its neighborhoods desirable places to live, work and visit (see the Strong and Accessible Neighborhoods Goal). The city should support and promote these assets to attract visitors and attract and retain residents, businesses, and institutions. Kansas City should also use its attractions to celebrate the history, culture, and diversity of its people and neighborhoods. As Kansas City grows, the city must ensure city attractions are equitably accessible to people in areas that have experienced distress and disinvestment.

Some examples of city attractions and amenities include:

  • Major-league and college sports facilities
  • Cultural districts, arts districts, museums, art galleries, theaters, and performing arts
  • Shopping and dining districts
  • Monuments and public art
  • Scenic fountains, parks, and boulevards
  • Historic districts, landmarks, and areas with unique architectural themes
  • Gathering places for people and communities


INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

If the city effectively implements this Objective, Kansas City’s status as a regional and national tourist and entertainment destination will grow. The city would see increases in tourism revenue and annual visitors. More community events and festivals would show Kansas City has the ability and space to accommodate large gatherings. New and enhanced attractions and events in historically disinvested communities would also demonstrate success. Finally, implementing plans to grow and improve attraction and entertainment districts and hubs will show Kansas City’s long-term dedication to this topic.


BENEFITS

  • Improved quality of life for all Kansas Citians through easy access to recreation, community gatherings, and celebrations of community identity and culture
  • Competitive benefits that can attract prospective residents and employers
  • Stronger social and community bonds, particularly by celebrating local culture and history
  • Increased tourism and a boost to the local economy


CONTEXT

Kansas City offers significant attractions for a city it’s size, and these attractions have an outsized economic and cultural impact. Kansas City needs to work to ensure the benefits of these attractions are felt by all of its residents.

For more context, please click HERE.


MEASURES OF SUCCESS

  • Annual visitors to Kansas City (increase)
  • Hotel Tax Revenue (increase)


KEY CONCEPTS

Expand and support city attractions
The city must identify areas where these districts, festivals, and events should be located and plan for development and public improvements in these locations. Partners and organizations can advocate for the interests of the area, bring together district stakeholders, and provide other services as needed.

Improve access, connections, and wayfinding
It should be easy for everyone to access the city’s attractions, by a variety of transportation options. This access should be incorporated into planning for transportation system extensions and enhancements. Regional and local wayfinding signage should effectively guide people to these areas. To improve access and promote a “critical mass,” these destinations, events, and attractions should be clustered together when possible. Kansas City’s downtown area in particular has a concentration of cultural and entertainment destinations and should be reinforced with additional attractions.

Work towards equitable access to amenities for everyone
The city should focus on ensuring attractions and amenities are accessible from all areas, particularly those that have experienced economic distress and disinvestment. At the same time, the city should expand attractions and events in places where they are less common than in other parts of the city. Strategies could include enhancing existing attractions that are underused or partnering with community groups to grow events and festivals in these areas.


COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ACTIONS (CSAs)


Expand and support city attractions
CA-1
Create or identify gathering places throughout the city to hold major citywide events as well as smaller events.
CA-2
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of Kansas City parks and boulevards to determine how they can be better leveraged for public-event programming, recreational purposes, arts uses, and other benefits.
CA-3
The city will continue to work with partner organizations to coordinate and support existing festivals and events and create new events. The city should expand the number and types of festivals and community events and ensure Kansas City is home to the region’s major events.
CA-4

Provide resources on how to start or enhance a neighborhood street festival.
CA-5

Promote the design of street rights of way to accommodate “street festivals” where the businesses and residents of a particular street sponsor a festival closing the street to automobiles and filling it with live music, entertainment, special food service, and street retail activity.
CA-6

Develop district plans. Develop plans for cultural hubs and other districts that are destinations or that have a concentration of amenities (see Cultural Heritage District Plan as an example). Identify strategies for future development and prioritize needed public improvements and enhancements to support and maintain these areas.
CA-7

Create new and use existing special tax districts to provide support and services for cultural and entertainment districts that are regional destinations. In areas with diverse ownership and a variety of destinations, encourage the creation of organizations to advocate for the interests of the area, bring together district stakeholders, and provide other services. These could include Community Improvement Districts or other special districts to assist with security, trash cleanup, or programming in public spaces.
CA-8

Identify cultural hubs and other destination districts. Identify emerging, new, and existing cultural hubs and destination districts throughout the city during area plan updates and include strategies to support these areas.
CA-9

Provide enhancements and public improvements to support attractions. Focus public art installations and streetscape enhancements to support cultural hubs, community gathering spaces, regional destinations, and other areas with amenities and attractions.
CA-10

Promote and market Kansas City districts, attractions, and events.
  • Work with Visit KC, the Area Development Council, and other similar organizations to enhance regional and national perceptions of Kansas City, its people, its Downtown, its districts and its neighborhoods
  • Increase the promotion of Kansas City neighborhoods, community events, cultural destinations, parks, sporting events, and other activities and attractions
  • Ensure recommendations related to fostering cultural tourism are effectively integrated into the Kansas City Convention and Visitor Association programming
CA-11

Invest in local, regional, and nationwide marketing plans for arts and cultural events in the city and broaden Kansas City’s appeal and reputation as an arts and cultural destination.


Improve access, connections, and wayfinding
CA-12
Improve access to city attractions with transportation improvements and wayfinding signage. Incorporate connections to cultural and entertainment destinations and districts when planning streetcar extensions.
CA-13
Create and enhance a wayfinding system that will link people to regional destinations such as key landmarks, cultural institutions, and transit centers as well as local destinations such as parks. Use signage to identify recreational and entertainment corridors.
CA-14
Develop guided and self-guided walking tours designed for all ages and available at public sites in tour areas. Integrate this into the city and region's tourism program.
CA-15
Cluster destinations, events, and attractions together and within or near existing cultural hubs or entertainment districts.
  • Kansas City’s densest concentration of existing amenities and destinations is within the downtown area, and therefore this area should be reinforced with additional major cultural facilities, amenities, and attractions. Use Imagine Downtown 2030 Strategic Plan (and other plans applicable to the downtown area) to identify gaps in available amenities.
  • Use the area plan process to identify additional cultural hubs and entertainment districts that are outside of Downtown where attractions should be targeted.
CA-16
Explore and support ways to connect to and collaborate with attractions in adjacent communities, to enhance attractions in Kansas City.


Work towards equitable access to amenities for everyone
CA-17
Improve access to amenities for all residents and visitors, particularly in areas where these amenities have historically been lacking. Create a map and database of city attractions and amenities and evaluate access for residents in areas that have experienced distress and disinvestment.
CA-18
Work with communities in distressed or disinvested areas to determine what types of attractions and amenities best meet their needs. Increase access in these communities to attractions, cultural facilities, and entertainment amenities.



RELATED LINKS

  • Cultural Amenities
  • Desirable Place
  • History and Heritage
  • KC Uniqueness
  • Livable Neighborhoods and Diverse Housing
  • Physical Beauty
  • Thriving Economy
  • Walkable, Clean, and Safe
  • Addressing Disinvestment
  • Citywide Accessibility
  • Community Collaboration
  • Community Engagement
  • Complete Communities
  • Inclusive Design
  • Welcoming Spaces
Related Plans and Policies


Kansas City’s attractions – from museums and historic landmarks to shopping and dining districts to sports arenas and the city’s famous fountains – draw people from around the region, give the city its unique identity and add to the quality of life for residents. City attractions include all areas in the natural and built environment – the cultural, recreational, shopping, outdoor, and entertainment destinations that make Kansas City an exciting place to live, work, and visit. The city should expand and support cultural and entertainment districts, festivals, and community events to ensure Kansas City retains the region's major attractions. It is also important to continue to support, promote, and nurture public art and other creative assets to attract visitors as well as to attract and retain artists and cultural institutions.

Easy access to these attractions makes Kansas City and its neighborhoods desirable places to live, work and visit (see the Strong and Accessible Neighborhoods Goal). The city should support and promote these assets to attract visitors and attract and retain residents, businesses, and institutions. Kansas City should also use its attractions to celebrate the history, culture, and diversity of its people and neighborhoods. As Kansas City grows, the city must ensure city attractions are equitably accessible to people in areas that have experienced distress and disinvestment.

Some examples of city attractions and amenities include:

  • Major-league and college sports facilities
  • Cultural districts, arts districts, museums, art galleries, theaters, and performing arts
  • Shopping and dining districts
  • Monuments and public art
  • Scenic fountains, parks, and boulevards
  • Historic districts, landmarks, and areas with unique architectural themes
  • Gathering places for people and communities


INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

If the city effectively implements this Objective, Kansas City’s status as a regional and national tourist and entertainment destination will grow. The city would see increases in tourism revenue and annual visitors. More community events and festivals would show Kansas City has the ability and space to accommodate large gatherings. New and enhanced attractions and events in historically disinvested communities would also demonstrate success. Finally, implementing plans to grow and improve attraction and entertainment districts and hubs will show Kansas City’s long-term dedication to this topic.


BENEFITS

  • Improved quality of life for all Kansas Citians through easy access to recreation, community gatherings, and celebrations of community identity and culture
  • Competitive benefits that can attract prospective residents and employers
  • Stronger social and community bonds, particularly by celebrating local culture and history
  • Increased tourism and a boost to the local economy


CONTEXT

Kansas City offers significant attractions for a city it’s size, and these attractions have an outsized economic and cultural impact. Kansas City needs to work to ensure the benefits of these attractions are felt by all of its residents.

For more context, please click HERE.


MEASURES OF SUCCESS

  • Annual visitors to Kansas City (increase)
  • Hotel Tax Revenue (increase)


KEY CONCEPTS

Expand and support city attractions
The city must identify areas where these districts, festivals, and events should be located and plan for development and public improvements in these locations. Partners and organizations can advocate for the interests of the area, bring together district stakeholders, and provide other services as needed.

Improve access, connections, and wayfinding
It should be easy for everyone to access the city’s attractions, by a variety of transportation options. This access should be incorporated into planning for transportation system extensions and enhancements. Regional and local wayfinding signage should effectively guide people to these areas. To improve access and promote a “critical mass,” these destinations, events, and attractions should be clustered together when possible. Kansas City’s downtown area in particular has a concentration of cultural and entertainment destinations and should be reinforced with additional attractions.

Work towards equitable access to amenities for everyone
The city should focus on ensuring attractions and amenities are accessible from all areas, particularly those that have experienced economic distress and disinvestment. At the same time, the city should expand attractions and events in places where they are less common than in other parts of the city. Strategies could include enhancing existing attractions that are underused or partnering with community groups to grow events and festivals in these areas.


COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ACTIONS (CSAs)


Expand and support city attractions
CA-1
Create or identify gathering places throughout the city to hold major citywide events as well as smaller events.
CA-2
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of Kansas City parks and boulevards to determine how they can be better leveraged for public-event programming, recreational purposes, arts uses, and other benefits.
CA-3
The city will continue to work with partner organizations to coordinate and support existing festivals and events and create new events. The city should expand the number and types of festivals and community events and ensure Kansas City is home to the region’s major events.
CA-4

Provide resources on how to start or enhance a neighborhood street festival.
CA-5

Promote the design of street rights of way to accommodate “street festivals” where the businesses and residents of a particular street sponsor a festival closing the street to automobiles and filling it with live music, entertainment, special food service, and street retail activity.
CA-6

Develop district plans. Develop plans for cultural hubs and other districts that are destinations or that have a concentration of amenities (see Cultural Heritage District Plan as an example). Identify strategies for future development and prioritize needed public improvements and enhancements to support and maintain these areas.
CA-7

Create new and use existing special tax districts to provide support and services for cultural and entertainment districts that are regional destinations. In areas with diverse ownership and a variety of destinations, encourage the creation of organizations to advocate for the interests of the area, bring together district stakeholders, and provide other services. These could include Community Improvement Districts or other special districts to assist with security, trash cleanup, or programming in public spaces.
CA-8

Identify cultural hubs and other destination districts. Identify emerging, new, and existing cultural hubs and destination districts throughout the city during area plan updates and include strategies to support these areas.
CA-9

Provide enhancements and public improvements to support attractions. Focus public art installations and streetscape enhancements to support cultural hubs, community gathering spaces, regional destinations, and other areas with amenities and attractions.
CA-10

Promote and market Kansas City districts, attractions, and events.
  • Work with Visit KC, the Area Development Council, and other similar organizations to enhance regional and national perceptions of Kansas City, its people, its Downtown, its districts and its neighborhoods
  • Increase the promotion of Kansas City neighborhoods, community events, cultural destinations, parks, sporting events, and other activities and attractions
  • Ensure recommendations related to fostering cultural tourism are effectively integrated into the Kansas City Convention and Visitor Association programming
CA-11

Invest in local, regional, and nationwide marketing plans for arts and cultural events in the city and broaden Kansas City’s appeal and reputation as an arts and cultural destination.


Improve access, connections, and wayfinding
CA-12
Improve access to city attractions with transportation improvements and wayfinding signage. Incorporate connections to cultural and entertainment destinations and districts when planning streetcar extensions.
CA-13
Create and enhance a wayfinding system that will link people to regional destinations such as key landmarks, cultural institutions, and transit centers as well as local destinations such as parks. Use signage to identify recreational and entertainment corridors.
CA-14
Develop guided and self-guided walking tours designed for all ages and available at public sites in tour areas. Integrate this into the city and region's tourism program.
CA-15
Cluster destinations, events, and attractions together and within or near existing cultural hubs or entertainment districts.
  • Kansas City’s densest concentration of existing amenities and destinations is within the downtown area, and therefore this area should be reinforced with additional major cultural facilities, amenities, and attractions. Use Imagine Downtown 2030 Strategic Plan (and other plans applicable to the downtown area) to identify gaps in available amenities.
  • Use the area plan process to identify additional cultural hubs and entertainment districts that are outside of Downtown where attractions should be targeted.
CA-16
Explore and support ways to connect to and collaborate with attractions in adjacent communities, to enhance attractions in Kansas City.


Work towards equitable access to amenities for everyone
CA-17
Improve access to amenities for all residents and visitors, particularly in areas where these amenities have historically been lacking. Create a map and database of city attractions and amenities and evaluate access for residents in areas that have experienced distress and disinvestment.
CA-18
Work with communities in distressed or disinvested areas to determine what types of attractions and amenities best meet their needs. Increase access in these communities to attractions, cultural facilities, and entertainment amenities.



RELATED LINKS

  • Cultural Amenities
  • Desirable Place
  • History and Heritage
  • KC Uniqueness
  • Livable Neighborhoods and Diverse Housing
  • Physical Beauty
  • Thriving Economy
  • Walkable, Clean, and Safe
  • Addressing Disinvestment
  • Citywide Accessibility
  • Community Collaboration
  • Community Engagement
  • Complete Communities
  • Inclusive Design
  • Welcoming Spaces
Related Plans and Policies


Page last updated: 13 Sep 2023, 12:39 PM