Mayoral Candidates Talk Downtown: Councilwoman Alissia Canady

Editor’s note: Kansas City voters are preparing to elect a new mayor to replace Mayor Sly James, who has reached the end of his two-term limit.

The mayoral primary will be April 2 followed by the general election on June 18.  

CityScene KC has reached out to the leading candidates for their opinions on several downtown issues and is grateful for their responses.  

Each have been asked the same questions and their responses will be posted individually over the next two weeks.

CITY COUNCILWOMAN ALISSIA CANADY

What is your take on the current state of greater downtown today and
what would your goals be for the area if you were elected mayor?

Our downtown is thriving. My goal would be to maintain and retain affordable housing units downtown since a considerable amount will be lost when tax credits expire over the next five years.

I also would encourage more jobs by promoting small business growth opportunities.

What would be your approach to tax incentives to assist downtown redevelopment? If you don’t believe further incentives are needed, why?

Councilwoman Alissia Canady

I would ​take a responsible approach to consider the impact of the project as it aligns with city priorities for affordable housing and living wages for post-construction jobs.

Are their types of projects (residential, office, hotel, entertainment,
etc.) that you believe no longer need tax incentives? If so, what are they and why? ​

It depends on the project- I believe they should be considered on an individual basis.

There are several ‘big ideas’ being discussed for greater downtown’s
future. What’s your position on the following:

A downtown ballpark for the Royals?

Decking the South Loop with a park?

Encouraging development along the 18th Street corridor to help connect
the East Crossroads and 18th & Vine Jazz District?

Extending the streetcar to the riverfront and UMKC?

I am open to exploring all of these options with regional partners to determine the feasibility and economic viability of all of them to stimulate economic growth.

What’s your position on retaining City Manager Troy Schulte?

​I would like to continue the relationship as he has institutional knowledge.