KCRag Forum

It seems like we've had a number of companies turn their backs on downtown KC (I'm looking squarely at you AMC Theaters, although you're not alone). But what companies should be lauded for their commitment to downtown Kansas City? Either they have kept/relocated their offices here, been instrumental in being involved with good design, helped foster development and small business creation, or just been a visible cheerleader for the area?

Instead of who we should be shaming, who should we be celebrating?

Top of my head -

DST
KCP&L
H&R Block
Commerce Bank
UMB Bank
State Street
Stinson Morrison

US Government
Jackson County Government
KCMO Government

Hallmark

JE Dunn
Populous

Does Boulevard count? Not really in DT proper, but they could very easily have moved to a facility on the other side of the loop rather than trying to expand in their current location. And the amount of free beer they give away to various urban events is ungodly. Probably should throw Roasterie and Parisi in there as well, for many of the same reasons.

Kansas City Southern

heatherkay wrote:Does Boulevard count? Not really in DT proper, but they could very easily have moved to a facility on the other side of the loop rather than trying to expand in their current location. And the amount of free beer they give away to various urban events is ungodly. Probably should throw Roasterie and Parisi in there as well, for many of the same reasons.

Yes I would definitely give Boulevard and Roasterie props for staying in the city. They are everything you want in a local business. Where is Parisi headquartered?

.

pash wrote:Parisi is on 24th Street just west of I-35. Their sign is very prominent as you drive south down the freeway.

Hmmm... right next to La Bodega eh? Somehow I never noticed that.

While boulevard and parisi are certainly valued local companies, I still wouldn't refer to them as, "corporate partners." I think Max is mostly referring to large white-collar employers in the CBD.

bahua wrote:While boulevard and parisi are certainly valued local companies, I still wouldn't refer to them as, "corporate partners." I think Max is mostly referring to large white-collar employers in the CBD.

I'll take any company big or small that is a good supporter of downtown.

HNTB
BNIM
Shook Hardy (CC)

It is interesting to look at the list provided.

Out of the large 'white-collar' entities, I only see Hallmark and DST as having been downtowns best corporate partners. They both made long term significant investments which allowed downtown to survive the period from 1968-2000. I can not state enough, how important their efforts were and there is quite a story that should be told about the work that they did and the outcomes they allowed. Today, their impact has lessened and their future role is in broad question.

The rest of the corporates listed leave me questioning. Some I guess show up as candidates simply because they made a decision to keep offices in downtown? Several of them just have operated here and don't really participate in civic endeavors in any significant way. Some of the entities that have been listed were in fact prime contributors to the decline of downtown. Won't name them, as new generations are at the helm and their story is yet to be fully written.

It is my opinion that a core of small businesses (maybe fifty individuals and their concerns) has carried the weight of instigating downtown Kansas City's renewal to a degree that their size would never indicate.

Spencer Fane
Lewis, Rice, Fingersh
Bryan Cave

Basically every major law firm in KC is located in either DT, CC, or Plaza. So all of them.

Some of our largest employers...Sprint, Cerner, Yellow, Freightquote, Garmin all have large surburban offices. Our core would be different if these firms maintained the bulk of their operations DT, etc. However, that is KC for you. Love their surface lot parking and the convenience of a 30 - 45 minute driving commute each way....

Can we take UMB off the list? There building drives me nuts. Takes up a whole city block and three stories tall. Hate it.

beautyfromashes wrote:Can we take UMB off the list? There building drives me nuts. Takes up a whole city block and three stories tall. Hate it.

I've heard before that the building is designed to accommodate a tower on top of it. Of course this will never happen. But it's interesting to think about what was contemplated in the '80s.

beautyfromashes wrote:Can we take UMB off the list? There building drives me nuts. Takes up a whole city block and three stories tall. Hate it.

Ha!! but NO!

Also - there was supposed to be an 18 story tower. Could still be done. I have been looking for a rendering from the time, but cant find it. The courtyard, with the Nancy Graves sculpture, is nice.

I haven't seen any mention of Andrews McMeel Universal or Modus

Could maybe put Trozzolo on that list.