Searching for Solutions: Kansas City is growing. Here's what St. Louis can learn
5 On Your Side is committing as a news organization to finding solutions outside of our region. This time, we're learning from Kansas City.
The St. Louis area is facing a variety of serious problems from housing to crime. Solutions will take funding, planning and follow-through.
Some say the Rams settlement could offer the funding the region needs to make a comeback.
5 On Your Side is committed to finding solutions. We are committed to searching for ideas to turn our region around.
This year we've covered the ways Detroit and Indianapolis are thinking about these complex problems. This month we're studying our I-70 neighbor, Kansas City.
Collaboration Transforming KC downtown
People who have visited downtown Kansas City are familiar with the big landmarks like The T-Mobile Arena and the Power and Light District. What immediately catches your eye is the rise of mixed-use developments including apartment buildings, businesses, high-rise buildings, and construction signifying more growth on the horizon.
Jahleel Smith, 27, enjoys living in downtown Kansas City. Smith especially likes concerts, comedy shows and live music at T-Mobile Arena.
"There's a lot of development and a lot of building,” said Smith. "I work 3 blocks from here, very convenient."
When asked if he’s worried about his safety while living in downtown Kansas City, Smith said no, not at all. He says crime is not as prevalent downtown as it is in other parts of the city.
Kansas City's Downtown Council puts safety ambassadors to work with the goal of keeping this area clean, safe, and attractive. Kathy Nelson heads up “Visit KC.”
"We have the yellow jackets, the guys that are out. You might see them day and night cleaning sidewalks. They're also security for us,” said Nelson. "They're 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. "
The downtown Kansas City visitors see now is the result of a $10 billion transformation over the last 15 years or so that’s been paid for by investors, businesses, and city government.
Before that safety was a bigger issue.
"Blighted a little bit. My mom worked at the Western Auto building which is now apartments and my dad worked down at the airport, we'd come down to pick up my mom from work and he'd always say 'stay in the car stay in the car. ‘Don’t get out of the car' and there was nothing after 5 o’clock, there was nothing happening down here."
Not anymore. Leaders say Kansas City’s solutions often come from having a strategy, like making downtown a magnet and not just for sporting events. On a recent Thursday night, the place was packed with people.
Transportation helps. City buses are free and so are street cars taking you from one part of the city to another. The city plans to add even more routes to accommodate visitors.
And then there's the Visitor Influencer Program.
Historic neighborhood comeback Investing in culture
Private and public investments are not only helping turn Kansas City around, it's also helping bring historic neighborhoods back to life.
In 2022, Kansas launched the Rebuild KC Grant, providing $22 million for communities to take back their neighborhoods. This year, that energy continued with another $15 million investment from the city.
"We're saying we're not going to turn our back anymore. We’re going to make sure we’re invested in every part of the community,” Mayor Quinton Lucas told 5 On Your Side.
The private sector is also joining in as new apartments dot the landscape.
As passers-by take a stroll through the historic community, they can’t help but notice a pattern of signs of intentional rebirth.
Last year Kansas City also provided more than $3 million for neighbors to fix up their homes and another $3 million for development across the city. Next, the city will use ARPA funds for community violence intervention and job training for those without work.
Kathy Nelson, the head of Visit KC, says the city is purposeful about acknowledging where it's been and intentional about where it's going.
"We think about the next 12 months and the next 12 years,” Nelson said.
Travel and KC Airports and infrastructure
Kansas City, Missouri dubs itself "The Heart of America." It just opened its brand new, billion-dollar airport terminal. Leaders there say it's helping set the stage to make KC a global travel destination.
About a four-hour car ride west of St. Louis and you're in Missouri's largest city, referred to as “The City of Fountains.”
"No one really knew about Kansas City, but when you host something like the NFL draft, it puts you on the map,” said Kathy Nelson who heads Visit KC. That’s a group that works to attract tourists and keep them coming back.
"Years ago, we had been bidding on a few events and we were told 'You’re great. You have the venue. You have the middle-of-the-country location. There's energy here. You can feel the heartbeat of KC here but the airport is horrible,'" she said.
So the city got to work.
"What are you guys looking for today? Beers, Cocktails?" a bartender greets guests sitting at a bar inside one of the nearly 50 restaurants and retail stores that just opened at Kanas City International’s new airport terminal.
At this bar, waiting for a flight has now become a hotspot for barbecue, beer and banter.
"I wasn't expecting the Kansas City airport to be this nice,” one customer told another.
The terminal just opened in February.
"We have a real airport,” passenger Dan Schlozman said.
Airport spokesman Joe McBride tells 5 On Your Side the goal was to have the $1.5 billion terminal up and running when players, prospects and fans flocked to the city for the NFL draft in April.
Voters approved the cost, but they won't foot the bill. Funding comes from on-site sales from airlines, retail and parking.
READ MORE: How new billion-dollar airport terminal could make Kansas City a global travel destination
Read more about Searching for Solutions here.