Kansas City’s downtown serves as its economic engine. Some 90,000 people work in the city center, and they contribute more than $28 million to the city in earnings taxes -- more than 20 percent of the total earnings taxes collected. Of course, the downtown isn’t simply a place of employment. Since 1999, more than a dozen vacant buildings downtown have been transformed into nearly 700 residential units. Another 400 units are in the planning stages.

While workers and residents are proud of new developments throughout the city, they recognize the need to transform blighted areas into vibrant centers of retail, residential, and commercial development. Mayor Kay Barnes tied her political legacy to revitalizing the downtown, and her vision for an improved city center focuses on a comprehensive set of initiatives that includes economic development, housing development and improved delivery of basic services.