Midtown Kansas City Leaders Plan How to Attract Streetcar Riders

Engaging the Community

In Kansas City, community leaders are gearing up for the arrival of a new streetcar line that will extend to the Country Club Plaza. With this upcoming development, the organization Midtown KC Now is brainstorming innovative strategies to entice visitors and locals alike to explore their vibrant neighborhood.

Easy Exploration for Visitors

As people from all over flock to the city for work and pleasure, many appreciate how convenient the streetcar makes it to navigate local gems. One visitor, Audrey Law, expressed her enthusiasm about discovering the area, stating that notable locations, like the city’s main library, prominently labeled on the streetcar stops, makes exploration straightforward. “If there’s something like food or a market, I like how you know the library exit is named Library,” Law explained.

Collaboration with Local Attractions

To enhance the streetcar experience, Laura Burkhalter, the president-elect of Midtown KC Now, shared exciting plans that involve collaboration with renowned local attractions including the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. This initiative aims to not only guide streetcar riders to these must-see spots but also highlight the rich offerings of Midtown Kansas City.

Creative Ideas in the Works

Among the proposed ideas are the installation of clear and informative signage to assist riders in navigating the area with ease, the creation of an art walk showcasing local creations, and hosting live music events to engage visitors. Burkhalter emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the current cultural assets to build an attractive neighborhood framework: “Leveraging the wonderful things that we have and then just building upon that.”

Looking Ahead

While the streetcar extension is projected for completion in 2025, Burkhalter insists that the time to start planning is now. She remarked, “It will be here before we know it.” As the city prepares for this exciting transition, community leaders are eager to ensure that Midtown becomes a thriving destination for both tourists and residents alike.