‘Imagine Downtown KC’ Community Planning Initiative Kicks Off Tuesday

The Downtown Council is launching a new planning initiative that will be seeking citizen input to help guide priorities for the next 10 years beginning Tuesday with a Zoom community workshop.

“Imagine Downtown KC” is being described as a collaborative process to develop a shared vision for development and economic inclusion, and will serve as the framework guiding the ongoing revitalization of downtown, according to a release from the downtown business and property owner group.

“Using a mix of creative and traditional approaches, we’re designing and implementing a robust engagement process to ensure the plan is based on collecting detailed input from a broad cross-section of stakeholders,” said Mike Hurd, communication and marketing director for the Council.

“Although in-person meetings are on hold due to health guidelines, we are using a range of innovative tools and techniques to capture community input and ideas.”

Imagine Downtown KC will kickoff with a digital community workshop Tuesday (July 14) from 4:30- to 6:30 p.m.

The online event will be conducted through Zoom and will include interactive discussions and activities to collect community input on the future of downtown Kansas City.

You can RSVP here.

Among the topics expected to be addressed are economic opportunity, infrastructure, housing affordability, green space, arts and culture, development trends and catalytic development projects.

Hurd said the planning process is facilitated by MIG Consulting and engages a broad and diverse range of downtown stakeholders including public officials and agencies, investors, developers, employers, residents, artists, human service providers, visitors and the media.

In addition to the initial community workshop, the Imagine Downtown KC process will utilize a variety of other means to solicit public input:

• Imagine Downtown KC website
• A weekly poll question using Mentimeter
• Two interactive, digital community workshops
• Digital graphic recording
• Podcasts featuring community voices talking about downtown’s future (coming soon)
• Interviews with community leaders
• Virtual focus groups on key topics
• Pop-up events (pending COVID-19)
• Walking tours (pending COVID-19)
• Online community questionnaire
• Steering Committee meetings

Hurd said the Downtown Council anticipates completing the Imagine Downtown KC plan by early next year.

“A robust and comprehensive set of metrics will be developed to ensure measurable progress is being made in all strategic areas,” he said.

“We envision that the Downtown Council and our other partner civic organizations will serve as the implementation organization and keeper of the strategic vision that is meant to inspire and guide us for the next decade.

“It will serve as the next generation downtown strategic plan.”

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