KC_JAYHAWK wrote:Things are changing (albeit ever so slowly), but there really is not a reason for most people to go downtown. I am a huge urban advocate, but I still rarely go downtown. Why? Probably because there are no sporting events to draw me, I never go to Bartle Hall for any of the conventions and there is little if any shopping to do. Downtown will not inspire me until it has the mass quantity of restaurants/shops that give me a reason to spend a few hours down there. I probably frequent the Plaza more than anything because it is where the "excitement" in Kansas City is....great shopping, bookstores, restaurants, well-kept and maintained sidewalks, apartments/condos, people actually walking and enjoying the district. Not to be a devils advocate, but downtown is still a long, long, long way from ever reaching that level, probably at least a decade if not longer.
I go downtown for the arts (Crossroads), the restaurants (mainly along Southwest Blvd), the bars/clubs (on or near Broadway and in the City Market), and to catch a concert (Midland). I also go to Crown Center and Union Station to shop, see a film, or catch a traveling exhibit. Bartle Hall never has any conventions or shows that I care to see. I think once
KC Live is complete in 2006, there will be many more reasons for people to go downtown.
Also, for those of you that haven't been, go check out the Steamboat Arabia Museum in City Market on a Saturday or Sunday.