Kansas City, Missouri 17454 226079019 2008-07-16T19:02:35Z Grey Wanderer 2020595 rv, addition of non-notable band <!--This page is for items specific to the city of '''Kansas City, Missouri''' only. Items for the metro area; Kansas City, Kansas or North Kansas City, MO should go on their respective pages. --> {{redirect|Kansas City}} {{Infobox Settlement |official_name = City of Kansas City |settlement_type = [[City]] |nickname = "KC", "KCMO", "City of Fountains", "Heart of America", "Paris of the Plains", "The Little Apple" |image_skyline = Kansas City MO Skyline 14July2008v.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = kcmoflag.jpg |image_seal = kcmoseal.gif |image_map = US-MO-Kansas City-Entire City.png |mapsize = 250x200px |map_caption = Location in [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson]], [[Clay County, Missouri|Clay]], [[Platte County, Missouri|Platte]], and [[Cass County, Missouri|Cass]] Counties in the state of [[Missouri]]. |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Missouri|Counties]] |subdivision_name = [[United States|United States of America]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Missouri]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson]]<br>[[Clay County, Missouri|Clay]]<br>[[Platte County, Missouri|Platte]]<br>[[Cass County, Missouri|Cass]] |government_type = |leader_title = [[Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri|Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Mark Funkhouser]] |established_title = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] |established_date = [[March 28]], [[1853]] |area_magnitude = 1 E8 |area_total_sq_mi = 318.0 |area_total_km2 = 823.7 |area_land_sq_mi = 313.5 |area_land_km2 = 812.1 |area_water_sq_mi = 4.5 |area_water_km2 = 11.6 |area_urban_sq_mi = 584.4 |area_urban_km2 = 1513.6 |population_as_of = 2006 |population_footnotes =<ref>{{cite web | title=Census Bureau Estimates Program (2005) | url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv | accessdate = 2006-09-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: [[April 1]], [[2000]] to [[July 1]], [[2005]] (CBSA-EST2005-01) | url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metropop/2005/cbsa-01-fmt.csv | accessdate = 2006-09-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Census Bureau Estimates Program (2006) | url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2006-01.xls | accessdate = 2007-29-07 }}</ref> |population_total = 447306 |population_urban = 1361744 |population_metro = 1947694 |population_density_km2 = 543 |population_density_sq_mi = 1406.6 |timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]] |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -5 |latd = 39 |latm = 06 |lats = 35 |latNS = N |longd = 94 |longm = 35 |longs = 19 |longEW = W |elevation_m = 277 |elevation_ft = 910 |website = http://www.kcmo.org/ |postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]] |postal_code = 64101-64102, 64105-64106, 64108-64114, 64116-64134, 64136-64139, 64141, 64144-64158, 64161, 64163-64168, 64170-64172, 64179-64180, 64183-64185, 64187-64188, 64190-64199, 64944, 64999 |area_code = [[Area code 816|816]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 29-38000{{GR|2}} |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 0748198{{GR|3}} |footnotes = }} '''Kansas City''' is the largest [[city]] in the [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Missouri]]. It encompasses {{convert|318|sqmi|km2}} in parts of [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson]], [[Clay County, Missouri|Clay]], [[Cass County, Missouri|Cass]], and [[Platte County, Missouri|Platte]] counties. The city also serves as the anchor city of the [[Kansas City Metropolitan Area]], second largest in Missouri. As of 2006, the city had an estimated population of 447,306,<ref>{{cite web | title=Census Bureau Estimates Program (2006) | url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUB-EST2006.html | accessdate = 2007-12-27 }}</ref> with a metro area of nearly two million.<ref>http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/CBSA-EST2006-01.xls</ref> Kansas City was founded in 1838 as the "Town of Kansas"<ref>[http://www.kcmo.org/kcmo.nsf/web/kchistory?opendocument A History of Kansas City, Missouri<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> at the [[confluence]] of the [[Missouri River|Missouri]] and [[Kansas River|Kansas]] rivers and was incorporated in its present form in 1850. Situated opposite [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]], [[Kansas]], the city was the location of several battles during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], including the [[Battle of Westport]]. The city is well known for its contributions to the musical styles of [[jazz]] and [[blues]] as well as to [[cuisine]] ([[Kansas City-style barbecue]]). ==Abbreviations and nicknames== [[Image:Kcsky.jpg|thumb|222px|right|Kansas City Skyline from Liberty Memorial]] Kansas City, Missouri, is often abbreviated as "KCMO", or simply "KC" (both abbreviations often refer to the [[Kansas City Metropolitan Area|metro area]]). It is officially nicknamed the ''City of [[Fountains]]''. With over 200 fountains, the city claims to have second most in the world, just behind [[Rome]].<ref>{{cite web | title=‘City of Fountains’ Indeed | url=http://www.visitkc.com/this-is-kansas-city/favorites--discoveries/kc-fountains/index.aspx= 2008-07-11 }}</ref> The city also has more boulevards than any city except [[Paris]] and has been called "Paris of the [[Great Plains|Plains]]." Informal nicknames include ''[[BBQ]] Capital of the World'', and residents are known as ''Kansas Citians''. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as the ''Heart of America'' as it is near both the [[Mean center of U.S. population|population]] center of the United States and the [[Geographic centers of the United States|geographic]] center of the 48 contiguous states. ==History== {{main|History of Kansas City}} Kansas City, Missouri officially incorporated on March 28, 1853. The [[Kansas City Metropolitan Area|territory]] straddling the border between Missouri and Kansas at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers was considered a good place to build settlements. ===Exploration and settlement=== The first documented European visit to Kansas City was [[Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont]], who was also the first European to explore the lower Missouri River. Criticized for his handling of a Native American attack of [[Fort Detroit]], he had deserted his post as commander of the fort and was avoiding the French authorities. Bourgmont lived with a Native American wife in the [[Missouri (tribe)|Missouri]] village about {{convert|90|mi|km}} east near [[Brunswick, Missouri]], and illegally traded furs. [[Image:Kc-pioneers1.jpg|thumb|175px|left|Kansas City Pioneer Square monument in Westport features [[Pony Express]] founder [[Alexander Majors]], Westport/Kansas City founder [[John Calvin McCoy]] and Mountainman [[Jim Bridger]] who owned Chouteau's Store next to Kelly's]] In order to clear his name, he wrote "Exact Description of Louisiana, of Its Harbors, Lands and Rivers, and Names of the Indian Tribes That Occupy It, and the Commerce and Advantages to Be Derived Therefrom for the Establishment of a Colony" in 1713 followed in 1714 by "The Route to Be Taken to Ascend the Missouri River." In the documents he describes the junction of the "Grande Riv[iere] des Cansez" and Missouri River, being the first to refer to them by those names. French cartographer [[Guillaume Delisle]] used the descriptions to make the first reasonably accurate map of the area. The Spanish took over the region in the [[Treaty of Paris (1763)]] but were not to play a major role in the area other than taxing and licensing all traffic on the Missouri River. The French continued their fur trade on the river under Spanish license. The [[Chouteau]] family operated under the Spanish license at [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] in the lower [[Missouri Valley]] as early as 1765, but it would be 1821 before the Chouteaus reached Kansas City, when [[François Chouteau]] established Chouteau's Landing. After the [[Louisiana Purchase]], [[Lewis and Clark]] visited the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, noting it was a good place to build a fort. In 1833 [[John Calvin McCoy|John McCoy]] established [[Westport, Kansas City|West Port]] along the [[Santa Fe Trail]], three miles (5 km) away from the river. Then in 1834, McCoy established [[Westport, Kansas City|Westport Landing]] on a bend in the Missouri River to serve as a landing point for West Port. Soon after, the Kansas Town Company, a group of investors, began to settle the area, taking their name from an English spelling of "Cansez." In 1850 the landing area was incorporated as the Town of Kansas.<ref>{{cite web | title=Why is Kansas City located in Missouri instead of Kansas? | url=http://www.kclibrary.org/guides/localhistory/index.cfm?article=read&articleID=400 | accessdate = 2006-09-11 }}</ref> By that time, the Town of Kansas, Westport, and nearby [[Independence, Missouri|Independence]], had become critical points in America's [[Territorial acquisitions of the United States|westward expansion]]. Three major [[Historical roads and trails of the United States|trail]]s &ndash; the [[Santa Fe Trail|Santa Fe]], [[California Trail|California]], and [[Oregon Trail|Oregon]] &ndash; all originated in [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson County]]. On [[February 22]], [[1853]], the City of Kansas was created with a newly elected mayor. It had an area of {{convert|0.70|sqmi|km2}} and a population of 2,500. The boundary lines at that time extended from the middle of the Missouri River south to what is now Ninth Street, and from Bluff Street on the west to a point between Holmes Road and Charlotte Street on the east.<ref>{{cite web | title=Early City Limits | url=http://images.kclibrary.org/localhistory/media.cfm?mediaID=95980 | accessdate = 2006-09-11 }}</ref> ===Civil War=== The area was rife with animosity as the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] approached. As citizens of a [[slave state]], Missourians tended to sympathize with the southern states. With Kansas petitioning to enter the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] under the new doctrine of [[popular sovereignty]], many from the area crossed into Kansas to sway the state towards allowing [[slavery]], at first by ballot box and then by bloodshed. [[Image:Kansas city mo 1869.gif|thumbnail|left|222px|Bird's eye view of Kansas City, Missouri. January 1869. Drawn by A. Ruger, Merchants Lith. Co., currently located at the [[Irish Museum and Cultural Center]] in Union Station]] During the Civil War, the City of Kansas and its immediate environs were the focus of intense military activity. Although the [[First Battle of Independence]] in August 1862 resulted in a Confederate victory, the Southerners were unable to follow up their win in any significant fashion, as the City of Kansas was occupied by Union troops and proved too heavily fortified for them to assault. The [[Second Battle of Independence]], part of [[Sterling Price]]'s [[Price's Raid|Missouri expedition of 1864]], also resulted in a Confederate triumph. Once again the Southern victory proved hollow, as Price was decisively defeated in the pivotal [[Battle of Westport]] the next day, effectively ending Confederate efforts to occupy the city. Moreover, General [[Thomas Ewing, Jr.|Thomas Ewing]], in response to a successful raid on nearby [[Lawrence, Kansas]] led by [[William Quantrill]], issued [[General Order No. 11 (1863)|General Order No. 11]], forcing the eviction of residents in four western Missouri counties--including Jackson--except those living in the city and nearby communities and those whose allegiance to the Union was certified by Ewing. [[Image:Walnut-street-kcmo-1906.jpg|thumbnail|right|222px|Walnut St., Downtown Kansas City, Mo. 1906]] ===Post-Civil War=== After the Civil War, the City of Kansas grew rapidly. The selection of the city over [[Leavenworth, Kansas]], for the [[Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad]] bridge over the Missouri River brought about significant growth. The population exploded after 1869, when the Hannibal Bridge, designed by [[Octave Chanute]], opened. The boom prompted a name change to Kansas City in 1889 and the city limits to extend south and east. Westport became part of Kansas City on [[December 2]], [[1897]]. According to the [http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0027/tab13.txt US Census] in 1900, Kansas City was the 22nd largest city in the country, with 163,752 residents. Kansas City, guided by architect [[George Kessler]], became a forefront example of the [[City Beautiful]] movement, developing a network of boulevards and parks around the city. The relocation of [[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]] to its current location in 1914 and the opening of the [[Liberty Memorial]] in 1923 gave the city two of its most identifiable landmarks. Further spurring Kansas City's growth was the opening of the innovative [[Country Club Plaza]] development by [[Jesse Clyde Nichols|J.C. Nichols]] in 1925 as part of his [[Country Club District]] plan. ===Pendergast era=== At the [[turn of the century]], political machines attempted to gain clout in the city, with the one led by [[Tom Pendergast]] emerging as the dominant machine by 1925. A new city charter passed that year made it easier for his Democratic Party machine to gain control of the city council (slimmed from 32 members to nine) and appoint a corrupt city manager. Several important buildings and structures were built during this time, to assist with the great depression—all led by Pendergast, including the [[Kansas City City Hall]] and the Jackson County Courthouse—both added new skyscrapers to the city's growing skyline. The machine fell in 1939 when Pendergast, riddled with health problems, pleaded guilty to [[tax evasion]]. The machine, however, gave rise to [[Harry S. Truman]], who quickly became Kansas City's favorite son. ===Post-World War II sprawl=== [[Image:Kansas City satellite map.jpg|thumbnail|right|160px|Kansas City satellite map]] Kansas City's sprawl and the creation of suburbs originally began with the invention and implementation of streetcars into the city and the surrounding areas. [[Streetcar suburb]]s began to pop up and more and more detached, single family homes were built away from the main part of town. The city's first "Suburbs" were in the neighborhoods of Pendleton Heights and Quality Hill. However, the real sprawl and creation of suburbs didn't start until after the second world war. After [[World War II]], the city experienced considerable sprawl, as the affluent populace left for [[suburb]]s like [[Johnson County, Kansas]], and eastern [[Jackson County, Missouri]]. However, many also went north of the [[Missouri River]], where Kansas City had incorporated areas between the 1940s to 1970s. The population of the urban core significantly dipped, while the city as a whole gained population. The sprawl of the city mainly took shape after the "race riots" of the Civil Rights Movement in Kansas City. At this time, slums were also beginning to form in the inner city, and those who could afford to leave, left for the suburbs and outer edges of the city. The post-WWII idea of suburbs and the "American Dream" also contributed to the sprawl of the area. As the city continued to sprawl, the inner city also continued to decline. In 1940, the city had about 400,000 residents; by 2000, the same area was home to only about 180,000. From 1940 to 1960, the city more than doubled its physical size, while increasing its population by only about 75,000. By 1970, the city had a total area of approximately {{convert|316|sqmi|km2}}, more than five times its size in 1940. The future for sprawl in Kansas City is uncertain. Johnson County has continued to sprawl at a constant rate, and Clay County, Missouri, also has begun to sprawl once more. However, recent revelations in urban planning have slowed sprawl and focused instead on the inner city, existing infrastructure and housing, as well as reviving the city's formerly blighted downtown. Uses of the [[New Urbanism]] style of planning is now also occurring in some of the most prominent suburban projects. == Geography == According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 318.0 [[square mile|sq&nbsp;mi]] (823.7 [[square kilometre|km²]]). 313.5 sq&nbsp;mi (812.1 km²) of it is land and 4.5 sq&nbsp;mi (11.6 km²) of it (1.41%) is water. Much of urban Kansas City sits atop bluffs overlooking the rivers and river bottoms areas. Kansas City proper is bowl-shaped and is surrounded to the north and south by [[limestone]] and [[bedrock]] cliffs that were carved by [[glacier]]s. Kansas City is situated at the junction between the [[Dakota ice lobe|Dakota]] and [[Minnesota ice lobes]] during the maximum late [[Independence glaciation]] of the [[Pleistocene]] [[Geologic time scale|epoch]]. The Kansas and Missouri rivers cut wide valleys into the terrain when the glaciers melted and drained. A partially filled spillway valley crosses the central portion of Kansas City, Missouri. This valley is an eastward continuation of Turkey Creek valley. [[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]] is located in this valley.<ref>{{cite web | first=James S. | last=Aber | title=Glacial Geology of the Kansas City Vicinity | url=http://www.geospectra.net/lewis_cl/geology/glacial.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-05 }}</ref> The city's [[tap water|municipal water]] was recently rated the cleanest among the 50 largest cities in the United States, containing no detectable impurities.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} === Climate === Kansas City lies near the geographic center of the contiguous United States, at the confluence of the second largest river in the country, the [[Missouri River]], and the [[Kansas River]] (also known as the Kaw River). This makes for a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Koppen climate classification]] ''Dfa'') with moderate precipitation and extremes of hot and cold. Summers can be very humid, with moist air riding up from the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and during July and August daytime highs can reach into the triple digits. Winters vary from mild days to bitterly cold, with lows reaching into the teens below zero a few times a year. Spring and autumn are pleasant and peppered with thunderstorms. Kansas City is situated in "[[Tornado Alley]]," a broad region where cold air from the [[Rocky Mountains]] and [[Canada]] collides with warm air from the [[Gulf of Mexico]], leading to the formation of powerful storms. Kansas City has had many severe outbreaks of [[tornado]]s, including the [[Kansas City Tornado Outbreak of May 1957|Ruskin Heights tornado in 1957]],<ref>[http://www.wdaftv4.com/almanac/watorndo.html Kansas City Tornado Almanac], wdaftv4.com. Accessed September 2006.</ref> and the [[May 2003 tornado outbreak sequence]], as well as other severe weather, most notably the [[Kansas City derecho]] in 1982. The region is also prone to [[Winter storm#Freezing rain and ice storms|ice storm]]s, such as the [[2002 Central Plains Ice Storm|2002 ice storm]] during which hundreds of thousands lost power for days and (in some cases) weeks.<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/special_packages/star_history/calamities_crime/12508862.htm KC powerless as icy barrage pummels the area, leaves behind disaster zone], Accessed [[10 September]] [[2006]].</ref> Kansas City and its outlying areas are also subject to flooding, including the [[Great Flood of 1993]] and the [[Great Flood of 1951]]. <!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather |single_line=Yes <!--Entering Yes will display metric and imperial units on same line.--> |location = Kansas City, Missouri |Jan_Hi_°F =38 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = <!--REC temps are optional; use sparely--> |Feb_Hi_°F =44 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = |Mar_Hi_°F =56 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = |Apr_Hi_°F =67 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = |May_Hi_°F =76 |May_REC_Hi_°F = |Jun_Hi_°F =86 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = |Jul_Hi_°F =90 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = |Aug_Hi_°F =89 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = |Sep_Hi_°F =89 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = |Oct_Hi_°F =69 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = |Nov_Hi_°F =53 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = |Dec_Hi_°F =42 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = |Year_Hi_°F = 65 |Year_REC_Hi_°F = |Jan_Lo_°F =21 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = |Feb_Lo_°F =26 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = |Mar_Lo_°F =36 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = |Apr_Lo_°F =46 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F = |May_Lo_°F =57 |May_REC_Lo_°F = |Jun_Lo_°F =67 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = |Jul_Lo_°F =72 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = |Aug_Lo_°F =70 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = |Sep_Lo_°F =61 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = |Oct_Lo_°F =49 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = |Nov_Lo_°F =36 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = |Dec_Lo_°F =25 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = |Year_Lo_°F = 47 |Year_REC_Lo_°F = |Jan_Precip_inch =1.13 |Feb_Precip_inch =1.02 |Mar_Precip_inch =2.38 |Apr_Precip_inch =3.27 |May_Precip_inch =4.55 |Jun_Precip_inch =4.73 |Jul_Precip_inch =3.61 |Aug_Precip_inch =3.62 |Sep_Precip_inch =4.17 |Oct_Precip_inch =3.28 |Nov_Precip_inch =2.30 |Dec_Precip_inch =1.45 |Year_Precip_inch =36 |source =weather.com<ref name=weather1>{{cite web | url =http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/USKS0298 | title =Monthly Averages for Kansas City, MO | accessdate = 2008-01-10| publisher = | language = }}</ref> |accessdate = 2008-01-10 }}<!--Infobox ends--> {{See also|List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks|List of tornadoes striking downtown areas|1980 United States heat wave}} ===Cityscape=== [[Image:Brush creek.jpg|thumbnail|right|222px|[[Brush Creek (Missouri)|Brush Creek]] on the Country Club Plaza at Night]] Kansas City, Missouri, is organized into a system of more than 150 [[neighborhood]]s, some with histories as independent cities or the sites of major events. Downtown, the center of the city, is currently undergoing major redevelopment. Near Downtown, the urban core of the city has a variety of [[List of neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri|neighborhoods]], including historical [[Westport, Kansas City|Westport]], the [[Crossroads Arts District]], [[18th and Vine Historic District]], [[Pendleton Heights]], [[Quality Hill]], the [[West Bottoms]] and the [[River Market]]. {{further|[[List of neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri]]}} === Downtown === {{main|Downtown Kansas City}} [[Image:Alphamap.gif||thumb|left|222px|The city's tallest buildings and characteristic skyline is roughly contained inside the [[downtown freeway loop (Kansas City)|downtown freeway loop]] (shaded in red). Downtown Kansas City itself is established by city [[Local ordinance|ordinance]] to stretch from the Missouri River south to 31st Street (beyond the bottom of this map), and from I-35 to Bruce R. Watkins]] [[Image:kcstreets.jpg|thumbnail|right|222px|A look down Downtown Kansas City streets today.]] Downtown Kansas City is an area of {{convert|2.9|sqmi|km2}} bounded by the Missouri River to the north, 31st Street to the south, Bruce R. Watkins Drive ([[U.S. Highway 71]]) to the east and I-35 to the west. Areas near Downtown Kansas City include the [[39th Street District]] is known as Restaurant Row<ref>[http://restaurants.pitch.com/search/restaurants.php Kansas City - Restaurants - Restaurant Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and features one of Kansas City's largest selections of independently owned restaurants and boutique shops. It is a center of literary and visual arts and [[bohemian culture]]. [[Crown Center]] is the headquarters of [[Hallmark Cards]] and a major downtown shopping and entertainment complex. It is connected to Union Station by a series of covered walkways. The [[Country Club Plaza]], or simply "the Plaza," is an upscale, outdoor shopping and entertainment district. It was the first shopping district in the United States designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by automobile, and is surrounded by apartments and condominiums, including a number of high rise buildings. The associated [[Country Club District]] to the south includes the [[Sunset Hill]] and Brookside neighborhoods, and is traversed by [[Ward Parkway]], a beautiful, landscaped boulevard known for its statuary, fountains and large, historic homes. Kansas City's [[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]] is now home to [[Science City at Union Station|Science City]], restaurants, shopping, theaters, and the city's [[Amtrak]] facility. After years of neglect and seas of parking lots, [[Downtown Kansas City]] currently is undergoing a period of change. Many residential properties recently have been or currently are under redevelopment. The [[Power & Light District]], a new, nine-block entertainment district comprising numerous restaurants, bars, and retail shops, was developed by the [[Cordish Company]] of [[Baltimore, Maryland]], and is nearing completion in the southern part of the [[downtown freeway loop (Kansas City)|downtown freeway loop]]. Its first tenant opened on [[November 9]], [[2007]], with more openings to continue throughout 2007 and 2008. Due to a new Missouri state law passed in 2005, the Power & Light District will be one of only five places in the United States where [[United States open container laws|open containers]] of [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] are allowed in the street. As host of the first annual Downtown Kansas City Festival of the Arts <ref>[http://www.artfestival.com/visitors_schedule/110697.htm Artfestival.com - Calendar<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> the property gears up to be at the forefront in bringing cultural enrichment to the city. Adjacent to the Power & Light District, a new arena, the [[Sprint Center]], opened on [[October 10]], [[2007]]. The arena was designed by a consortium of local architects, and hopes to lure an [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] or [[NHL]] franchise to the city. [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]-based [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] has invested in the arena project and will run its daily operations. === Parks and parkways === [[Image:Kc-country-club-plaza.jpg|thumb|222px|J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain, in Mill Creek Park, adjacent to the Country Club Plaza]] Kansas City has 132 miles of spacious boulevards and parkways, 214 urban parks, 49 ornamental fountains, 152 ball diamonds, 10 community centers, 105 tennis courts, five golf courses, five museums and attractions, 30 pools, and 47 park shelters, all overseen by the city's Parks and Recreation department.<ref>[http://www.kcmo.org/parks/2008referencebook.pdf Parks & Recreation, ''2008 Reference Book'']</ref><ref>[http://www.kcmo.org/parks.nsf/web/Aboutus Parks & Recreation, ''About Parks & Recreation'']</ref> The parkway and boulevard system winds its way through the city with broad, landscaped medians that include statuary and fountains. Much of the system, designed by [[George E. Kessler]], was constructed from 1893 to 1915. Cliff Drive, in Kessler Park on the North Bluffs, is a designated State Scenic Byway. It extends 4.27 miles from The Paseo and Independence Avenue through Indian Mound on Gladstone Boulevard at Belmont Boulevard with many historical points and architectural landmarks. [[Ward Parkway]], on the west side of the city near [[State Line Road]], is lined by many of the city's most handsome homes. [[The Paseo]] is a major north–south parkway that runs 19 miles through the center of the city beginning at Cliff Drive. It holds 223 acres of boulevard parkland dotted with several Beaux-Arts-style decorative elements. The parkways, aesthetically designed for horse and buggy carriages and few automobiles, were drastically altered over time to accommodate more and more vehicles. Many have become very heavily trafficked thoroughfares. [[Swope Park]] is one of the nation's largest city parks, comprising 1,805 acres (2.82&nbsp;sq.&nbsp;mi.), more than twice as big as New York's Central Park.<ref>[http://www.kcmo.org/timeline.nsf/web/18960000?opendocument TimeLine 150<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It features a full-fledged [[zoo]], a woodland nature and wildlife rescue center, two golf courses, two lakes, an [[amphitheatre]], day-camp area, and numerous picnic grounds. Hodge Park, in the Northland, covers 1,029 acres (1.61&nbsp;sq.&nbsp;mi.). This park includes the 80 acre Shoal Creek Living History Museum, a village of more than 20 historical buildings dating from 1807 to 1885, including a log cabin, clapboard structures, and an [[antebellum]] brick mansion. Special events, programs, tours, and reenactments show life in Missouri as it was in the 19th century. Riverfront Park, 955 acres on the banks of the [[Missouri River]] on the north edge of downtown, holds annual Fourth of July celebrations and other festivals during the year. At one time, nearly all residential streets were planted with a solid canopy of [[American elm]]s, but [[Dutch elm disease]] devastated them. Most were replaced with varieties of other handsome shade trees. A program is underway currently to replace many of the fast-growing [[American Sweetgum|sweetgum]] trees with [[hardwood]] varieties.<ref>[http://www.kcmo.org/planning/pdf/focus/NA_reports/triblen.pdf Focus Kansas City, ''Tri-Blenheim Neighbors United,'' report date: 29 April 2000]</ref> ==Demographics== {{USCensusPop |1853= 2500 |1860= 4418 |1870= 32260 |1880= 55785 |1890= 132716 |1900= 163752 |1910= 248381 |1920= 324410 |1930= 399746 |1940= 400178 |1950= 456622 |1960= 475539 |1970= 507087 |1980= 448159 |1990= 435146 |2000= 441545 | estimate=447306 | estyear=2006 }} {{demographics|city|441,545|183,981|107,444|543.7|1,408.2|202,334|645.3|249.2|54.68|46.23|0.48|1.85|0.11|3.21|2.44|6.93|28.1|38.0|16.0|41.6|34.1|9.4|2.35|3.06| 25.4|9.7|32.5|20.6|11.7|34|93.3|89.9|37,198|46,012|35,132|27,548|20,753|14.3|11.1|20.2|10.5}} ==Economy== {{main|Kansas City Economy}} [[Image:Kc-reserve.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank "J" insignia on the dollar bill]] Greater Kansas City is headquarters to four ''[[Fortune 500]]'' companies ([[Sprint Nextel Corporation]], [[H&R Block]], [[Embarq|Embarq Corporation]], and [[YRC Worldwide Inc.]]) and additional ''[[Fortune 1000]]'' corporations ([[Interstate Bakeries Corporation]], [[Great Plains Energy]],[[Aquila, Inc.|Aquila]], [[AMC Theatres]], and [[DST Systems]]). [[Hallmark Cards]]'s gross revenues certainly would qualify it for both lists, but it cannot be included because it is privately owned by the [[Donald J. Hall, Sr.|Hall family]]. Numerous agriculture companies operate out of the city and the [[Kansas City Board of Trade]] is the principal trading center for hard red [[winter wheat]] &mdash; the principal ingredient of [[bread]]. [[Image:Kc-hr-block.jpg|thumb|left|222px|[[H&R Block]]'s new oblong headquarters in downtown Kansas City]] The business community is serviced by two major business magazines, the ''Kansas City Business Journal'' (published weekly) and ''Ingram's Magazine'' (published monthly), as well as numerous other smaller publications, including a local [[high society|society]] journal, the ''Independent'' (published weekly). Kansas City is literally "on the money." [[Federal Reserve Notes|Bills]] issued by the [[Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City]] are marked the letter "J" and/or number "10." The single dollar bills have Kansas City's name on them. Missouri is the only state to have two of the 12 [[Federal Reserve Bank]] headquarters (St. Louis also has a headquarters). Kansas City's effort to get the bank was helped by former Kansas City mayor [[James A. Reed]] who as senator broke a tie to get the [[Federal Reserve Act]] passed.<ref>[http://stlouisfed.org/publications/foregone/chapter_three.htm A Foregone Conclusion: The Founding of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis by James Neal Primm - stlouisfed.org - Retrieved [[January 1]], [[2007]]].</ref> ==Law and government== ===City government=== :''See also: [[List of mayors of Kansas City]]'' :''See also: [[Alcohol laws of Missouri]]'' Kansas City is home to the largest [[Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Government|municipal government]] in the state of Missouri. The city has a [[city manager]] form of government, however the role of city manager has diminished over the years following excesses during the days of [[Tom Pendergast]]. The mayor is the head of the [[Kansas City, Missouri City Council|Kansas City City Council]], which has 12 members (one member for each district, plus one at large member per district), and the mayor himself is the presiding member. Kansas City holds city elections on odd numbered years (every four years unless there is a special reason). The last major city-wide election was May 2007, meaning the next one will be in May 2011. From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, Kansas City's municipal government was controlled by often corrupt political machines. Tom Pendergast was the most infamous leader of the party machine. The most nationally prominent Democrat associated with Pendergast's machine was [[Harry S Truman]], who became a Senator, [[Vice President of the United States]] and then [[President of the United States]] from 1945-1953. Kansas City is the seat of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri]], one of two [[United States district courts|federal district courts]] in Missouri (the other, the [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri|Eastern District]], is in St. Louis). It also is the seat of the Western District of the [[Missouri Court of Appeals]], one of three districts of that court (the Eastern District is in St. Louis and the Southern District is in [[Springfield, Missouri|Springfield]]). ===National political conventions=== Kansas City has hosted the [[1900 Democratic National Convention]], the [[1928 Republican National Convention]], which nominated [[Herbert Hoover]] from [[Iowa]] for President, and the memorable [[1976 Republican National Convention]], which nominated Kansas U.S. Senator [[Bob Dole]] for Vice President. Kansas City consistently votes Democratic in Presidential elections, however on the state and local level Republicans often find some success, especially in the Northland and other parts of Kansas City that are predominately suburban. ===Congressional representation=== Kansas City is represented by two members of the [[United States House of Representatives]]: *[[Missouri's 5th congressional district]] – all of Kansas City proper in Jackson County plus Independence and portions of Cass County. Currently represented by [[Emanuel Cleaver]] (Democrat) *[[Missouri's 6th congressional district]] – all of Kansas City proper north of the [[Missouri River]] and plus suburbs in eastern Jackson County beyond Independence and a vast stretch of suburbs and rural areas extending all the way to the [[Iowa]] border and more than {{convert|100|mi|km}}. Currently represented by [[Sam Graves]] (Republican) ==Crime== Some of the earliest violence in Kansas City erupted during the [[American Civil War]]. Shortly after the city's incorporation in 1850, the period which has become known as [[Bleeding Kansas]] erupted, affecting [[border ruffians]] and [[Jayhawkers]], who both lived in the city. During the war, Union troops [[General Order № 11 (1863)|burned all occupied dwellings]] in Jackson County south of Brush Creek and east of Blue Creek to Independence in an attempt to halt raids into Kansas. After the war, the ''[[Kansas City Times]]'' turned outlaw [[Jesse James (outlaw)|Jesse James]] into a folk hero in its coverage. James was born in the Kansas City metro area at [[Kearney, Missouri]], and notoriously robbed the Kansas City Fairgrounds at 12th Street and Campbell Avenue. In the early 20th century under [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] political "Boss" [[Tom Pendergast]], Kansas City became the country's "most wide open town", with virtually no enforcement of [[prohibition in the United States|prohibition]]. While this would give rise to [[Kansas City Jazz]], it also led to the rise of the Kansas City [[mafia|mob]] (initially under [[Johnny Lazia]]), as well as the arrival of [[organized crime]]. The 1930s saw the [[Kansas City Massacre]] at [[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]], as well as a shootout between police and outlaws [[Bonnie and Clyde]] at the [[Red Crown Tavern]] near what is now [[Kansas City International Airport]]. In the 1970s, the Kansas City mob was involved in a gangland war over control of the [[River Quay]] entertainment district, in which three buildings were bombed and several gangsters were killed. Police investigations into the mob took hold after boss [[Nick Civella]] was recorded discussing gambling bets on [[Super Bowl IV]] (where the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings). The war and investigation would lead to the end of mob control of the [[Stardust Casino]], which was the basis for the film ''[[Casino (movie)|Casino]]'' (although the Kansas City connections are minimized in the movie). As of [[October 30]], [[2006]], Kansas City [[United States cities by crime rate|ranks 21st]] on the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]'s annual survey of crime rates for cities with populations over 400,000.<ref>[http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25 25 Safest Cities] www.morganquinto.com Accessed November 2006</ref> Kansas City ranked sixth in the rate of murders in that same study. The entire Kansas City metropolitan area has the fourth worst violent crime rate among cities with more than 100,000, with a rate of 614.7 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/columnists/15607473.htm Kevin Collison, "FBI crime data paint grim portrait", ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'', [[September 26]], [[2006]]]</ref> On the other hand, many of the surrounding cities in the [[Kansas City Metropolitan Area]] reflect the opposite in crime statistics. Much of the city's murders and violent crimes occur in the city's [[inner city|inner core]]. The [[Kansas City Gangs]] are reasons why the violent crime rates in the core consistently have driven the city and metropolitan area down on "livability" indices, hindering initiatives in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s to revive downtown Kansas City. In the 2000s, Crime and Homicides spiked up due to [[organized crime]] or the gang activity in the inner city. However, attempts at revitalizing the downtown area have been more successful.<ref>[http://www.thinkdowntownkc.com/happening/happening.htm Kansas City Area Development Council]</ref> Other parts of the urban core with higher [[poverty]] levels remain places in which crime remains largely unabated. According to an analysis by ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'' and the [[University of Missouri-Kansas City]] appearing in a [[December 22]], [[2007]] story, downtown has experienced the largest drop in crime of any neighborhood in the city during the current decade.<ref>[http://www.downtownkc.org/content.aspx?pgID=875&newsID=579&exCompID=82 Downtown News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> == Transportation == {{main|Kansas City Metropolitan Area#Transportation|Kansas City Metropolitan Area}} First, it was at the confluence of the Missouri River and Kansas River and the launching pointing for travelers on the [[Santa Fe Trail|Santa Fe]], [[Oregon Trail|Oregon]], and [[California Trail|California]] trails. Then with the construction of the [[Hannibal Bridge]] across the [[Missouri River]] it became the central location for 11 trunk railroads. More rail traffic in terms of tonnage still passes through the city than any other city in the country. [[TWA]] located its headquarters in the city and had ambitious plans to turn the city into an air hub for the world. Missouri and Kansas were the first states to start building interstates with [[Interstate 70]]. [[Interstate 435]], which encircles the entire city, is the second longest beltway in the nation. Today, Kansas City and its metropolitan area has more miles of limited access highway lanes per capita than any other large metro area in the United States, over 27% more than second-place [[Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex]], over 50% more than the average American metro area and nearly 75% more than the metropolitan area with the least: [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]]. The [[Sierra Club]] in particular blames the extensive freeway network for excessive [[urban sprawl|sprawl]] and the decline of central Kansas City.<ref>[http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/report98/kansas_city.asp 1998 Sprawl Report- Sprawl - Sierra Club<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On the other hand, the relatively uncongested freeway network contributes significantly to Kansas City's position as one of America's largest logistics hubs.<ref>http://www.kcsmartport.com/sec_news/media/documents/ShippingCentral.pdf</ref> === Airports === [[Image:Kci.JPG|thumb|222px|[[Kansas City International Airport]]]] [[Kansas City International Airport]] was built to the specifications of TWA to make a world hub for the [[supersonic transport]] and [[Boeing 747]]. Its passenger friendly design in which its gates were {{convert|100|ft|m}} from the street has, since the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], required a costly overhaul to retrofit it to incorporate elements of a more conventional security system. Recent proposals have suggested replacing the three terminals with a new single terminal situated south of the existing runways, thus allowing the airport to operate during construction and to shave miles off the travel distance from downtown and the southern suburbs. The airport is completely supported by user fees and receives no general fund support for operations. [[Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport]] was the original headquarters of [[Trans World Airlines]] and houses the [[Airline History Museum]]. It is still used for [[general aviation]] and airshows. === Mass transit === Like most American cities, Kansas City's mass transit system was originally rail-based. An electric [[tram|trolley]] network ran through the city until 1957. The rapid sprawl in the following years led to this privately run system to be shut down. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) was formed with the signing of a Bi-State compact created by the Missouri and Kansas legislatures on [[December 28]], [[1965]]. The compact gives the KCATA responsibility for planning, construction, owning and operating passenger transportation systems and facilities within the seven-county Kansas City metropolitan area. These include the counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte in Missouri, and Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte in Kansas. The KCATA is governed by a 10-member Board of Commissioners, five from the state of Kansas and five from the state of Missouri. The KCATA offers customers three types of service in the Kansas City area: (1) Fixed-route service along 75 routes (2) Share-A-Fare Paratransit service for the elderly and persons with disabilities (3) MetroFlex service, which offers a combination of fixed-route and demand-response. The base fare is $1.25 one-way, with a variety of passes available. On predicted "Ozone Alert!" days between [[June 1]] and [[September 30]], the fare is $.50. In July 2005, the [[Kansas City Area Transportation Authority]] (KCATA) launched Kansas City’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line called "MAX" (Metro Area Express). MAX links the vibrant River Market, Downtown, Union Station, Crown Center and the Country Club Plaza. This corridor boasts over 150,000 jobs, as well as some of the area’s most prestigious real estate and treasured cultural amenities. By design, MAX operates and is marketed more like a rail system than a local bus line. A unique identity was created for MAX, including 13 modern diesel buses and easily identifiable “stations". MAX features state-of-the-art technology to deliver customers a high level of reliability, speed and comfort. Dedicated lanes during rush hour help give MAX a rapid, smooth ride, and special traffic signalization holds a green light longer &ndash; only if needed &ndash; to keep MAX on schedule. Limited stops resulted in reduced travel time between Downtown and the Plaza to about 10 minutes. MAX runs seven days a week from 5 am to 1 am. During rush hour periods, the buses make stops about every 9 minutes. The one-way fare is $1.25. ====Light rail==== Kansas City does not currently have a [[Subway (rail)|subway]] or [[light rail]] system. Several proposals to build one have been rejected by voters in the past. However, the city is currently in the development phase of a starter [[light rail]] system. On [[November 7]], [[2006]], Kansas City voters approved a ballot initiative brought forward by [[Clay Chastain]] from Virginia, proposing a city-wide light rail system paid for by a 3/8-cent sales tax that currently funds 40% of Kansas City’s bus system. That sales tax, which will expire April 2009, would have been brought to vote for renewal, but the citizen petition for light rail occurred before this could happen. The initiative requires a {{convert|27|mi|km|sing=on}} light rail line running from the Kansas City Zoo, through the city’s urban core, and out to Kansas City International Airport. In addition to the light rail system, the initiative requires a gondola system that will link Kansas City’s Union Station with the Liberty Memorial, the purchase of 60 hybrid electric busses and the removal of street access through Penn Valley Park, adjacent to the Liberty Memorial. The KCATA estimates that to build the entire light rail system as written will cost between $1.4 and $1.6 billion. The original price tag presented to voters for the line was just below $800 million. In August 2007, it was announced by the KCATA that an Alternatives Analysis study of the voter-approved light rail plan had a $415 million funding shortfall, even if the federal government paid half of planned construction costs. This study also revealed that the November 2006 plan had technical problems including issues with bridges, steep inclines, and sharp turns beyond typical tolerances. The City Council repealed the vote in November 2007 and is planning to place an alternative plan on a November 2008 ballot. The KCATA will complete its Alternatives Analysis in Spring 2008. ====Trolley/Streetcars==== Kansas City has a long history with streetcars and trolleys. From 1870-1957 Kansas City's streetcar system was among the top in the country, with over {{convert|300|mi|km}} of track at its peak. Following the decision to scrap the system, many of its former streetcars have been serving other American cities for a long time. In 2007, ideas and plans arose to add normal trolley lines, as well as possibly fast streetcars to the city's Downtown for the first time in decades. These proposals are being seen as possible first steps in implemented a larger mass transit network, that would include light rail. ==Education== Several universities, colleges, and seminaries are located in Kansas City, including: *[[University of Missouri–Kansas City]], one of four [[University of Missouri]] campuses, serving more than 14,000 undergraduates *[[Kansas City Art Institute]], four-year college of fine arts and design founded in 1885. *[[Rockhurst University]], a notable [[Jesuit]] university. *[[Avila University]], Catholic university of the [[Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet]]. *[[Park University]], private institution established in 1875; Park University Graduate School is located downtown. *[[Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City)]], a 2-year college with several branches in the suburban metropolitan area. *[[Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences]]. *[[DeVry University]] *[[Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary]], Souther Baptist Convention *[[Nazarene Theological Seminary]], Church of the Nazarene *[[Calvary Bible College|Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary]] ==Libraries and archives== *[[Linda Hall Library]], internationally recognized independent library of science, engineering and technology, housing over one million volumes. *[[Mid-Continent Public Library]], largest public library system in Missouri, and among the largest collections in America. *[[Kansas City Public Library]], oldest library system in Kansas City, with 10 branches. *[[University of Missouri-Kansas City|University of Missouri-Kansas City Libraries]], four collections: Leon E. Bloch Law Library and Miller Nichols Library, both on Volker Campus; and Health Sciences Library and Dental Library, both on Hospital Hill in Kansas City. *[[Rockhurst University]] Greenlease Library. *[[National Archives and Records Administration]] (NARA), Central Plains Region, one of 18 records facilities, holding millions of archival records and microfilms for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska in a new facility adjacent to Union Station, open to the general public in 2008. ==Kansas City cuisine== {{main|Kansas City-style barbecue}} Kansas City is most famous for its [[steak]] and [[barbecue]].[[Image:Bull-kemper.jpg|thumb|222px|The [[American Hereford Association]] bull and [[Kemper Arena]] and the [[Kansas City Live Stock Exchange]] Building in the former [[Kansas City Stockyard]] of the [[West Bottoms]] as seen from [[Quality Hill]]]] During the heyday of the [[Kansas City Stockyards]], the city was known for its Kansas City steaks or [[Strip steak|Kansas City strip steaks]]. The most famous of the steakhouses is the Golden Ox in the [[Kansas City Live Stock Exchange]] in the stockyards in the [[West Bottoms]]. The stockyards, which were second only to those of Chicago in size, never recovered from the [[Great Flood of 1951]] and eventually closed. The famed Kansas City Strip cut of steak is largely identical to the New York Strip cut, and is sometimes referred to just as a [[strip steak]]. Along with Texas, Memphis & North Carolina, Kansas City is a "world capital of barbecue." There are more than 90 barbecue restaurants[http://www.experiencekc.com/barbeque.html] in the metropolitan area and the [[American Royal]] each fall hosts what it claims is the world's biggest barbecue contest. The classic Kansas City-style barbecue was an [[inner city]] phenomenon that evolved from the pit of [[Henry Perry]] from the [[Memphis, Tennessee]] area in the early 1900s and blossomed in the [[18th and Vine Historic District|18th and Vine]] neighborhood. [[Arthur Bryant's]] was to take over the Perry restaurant and added [[molasses]] to sweeten the recipe. In 1946 [[Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q]] was opened by one of Perry's cooks. The Gates recipe added even more molasses. Although Bryant's and Gates are the two definitive Kansas City barbecue restaurants they have just recently begun expanding outside of the Greater Kansas City Area. [[Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue]] is well-regarded by many both locally and nationally. In 1977 [[Rich Davis]], a psychiatrist, test-marketed his own concoction called K.C. Soul Style Barbecue Sauce. He renamed it [[KC Masterpiece]] and in 1986 he sold the sauce to the Kingsford division of [[Clorox]]. Davis retained rights to operate restaurants using the name and sauce, with a restaurant in the suburb of Overland Park, KS. ==Culture== ===Architecture=== [[Image:Community Christian Church KCMO.jpg|thumb|222px|right|[[Community Christian Church]], adjacent to the [[Country Club Plaza]]]] {{main|Architecture of Kansas City}} The cities skyline is notable for various structures, including the immense [[Bartle Hall Convention Center]], the adjoined [[art deco]] [[Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City)|Municipal Auditorium]], and numerous skyscrapers such as the Kansas City Power and Light Building and [[One Kansas City Place]] (the tallest habitable structure in Missouri), as well as the [[KCTV-Tower]] (the tallest freestanding structure in Missouri and [[List of towers|31st tallest tower]] in the world), and the [[Liberty Memorial]] (the national [[World War I]] memorial and museum of the United States). Kansas City offices of significant national and international [[architecture]] firms include ACI/Boland, [[BNIM]], [[360 Architecture]], [[Ellerbe Becket]], [[HNTB]] and [[HOK Sport]]. [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] designed two private residences, and [[Architecture of Kansas City|Community Christian Church]] with a "Spire of Light" that can be seen for miles around the city. ==="City of Fountains"=== {{main|List of Fountains in Kansas City}} With more than 200 fountains, Kansas City claims that only Rome has more fountains. A fountain is the logo for the city and "City of Fountains" is an official nickname. The densest and most famous area for fountains is the Country Club Plaza (the 1960 J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain is located at 47th and Main). Many smaller fountains dot the streetscape throughout the district. ===Art museums=== *[[Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]] *[[Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art]] *[[Belger Arts Center]] ===Performing Arts=== ====Theatre companies==== *[[Kansas City Repertory Theatre]], the metropolitan area's top professional theatre company, on two stages: ::Spencer Theater, 630-seat theater at UMKC Performing Arts Center. ::Copaken Stage, 319-seat theater in downtown Kansas City in H&R Block Headquarters, new in 2007. *[[Starlight Theatre (Kansas City)|Starlight Theatre]], 8,105-seat outdoor theatre designed by [[Edward Buehler Delk|Edward Delk]] presenting traveling [[Broadway theatre]] productions at [[Swope Park]]. *[http://www.unicorntheatre.org/ Unicorn Theatre], 150-seat Actors' Equity theatre, company founded 1974, producing more than 250 plays (to 2008), 25% of which are world premieres; downtown. *[http://www.ahtkc.com/index.shtml?/cgi-bin/home.cgi American Heartland Theatre], company founded 1986 performing at the 420-seat stage of the same name at Crown Center. *[http://www.crowncenter.com/Entertainment-OCT/Index.htm Off Center Theatre], the newest 240-seat stage at Crown Center hosts several acting companies, including, Actors Theatre Kansas City, Right Between the Ears, Musical Theater Heritage (Company), Coterie Theatre, and other independent acting ensembles. *[http://www.kcshakes.org/ The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival], June-July performances outdoors in Southmoreland Park, across from the Nelson-Atkins Museum ====Comedy & Improv==== *[http://www.stanfordscomedyclub.com/ Stanford's Comedy Club], (aka Sanford and Son's), the city's premier comedy club in Westport. *[http://www.improvkc.com/ Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre] at The Majestic, nationally known comedy performers, at Zona Rosa. *Ameristar Kansas City, live acts & concert events on three stages: Star Pavilion, Depot No. 9, and Casino-Cabaret. *Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar, in Westport. *ComedyCity!, at the River Market. *Westport Coffeehouse Theatre, sketch comedy & improv. ====Symphony==== *[[Kansas City Symphony]], founded by [[R. Crosby Kemper Jr.]] in 1982 to superseded the Kansas City Philharmonic, which was founded 1933. The symphony currently is located at the Lyric Theatre in Downtown Kansas City, but will move to the new [[Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts]], also downtown, when it is completed in December of 2009. The current music director and lead conductor of the symphony is the world-renowned [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]]. ====Opera==== *[http://www.kcopera.org/ Lyric Opera of Kansas City], founded in 1970, offers one American contemporary opera production during its annual season consisting of either four or five productions. Originally, all operas were performed in English, although in the late-1990s the company decided to perform all productions in their original languages. The Lyric Opera also is located at the Lyric Theatre, and also will move to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in 2009. *[http://www.kccivicopera.org/Home_Page.html Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City], performs at the Folly Theater in downtown, and the UMKC Performing Arts Center. ====Ballet==== *[http://www.kcballet.org/ Kansas City Ballet], founded in 1957 by Tatiana Dokoudovska, is a ballet troupe comprising 25 professional dancers and apprentices. Between 1986 and 2000, it was combined with Dance St. Louis to form the State Ballet of Missouri, although it remained located in Kansas City. From 1980 to 1995, the Ballet was run by renowned dancer and choreographer [[Todd Bolender]]. Today, the Ballet offers an annual repertory split into three seasons which ranges from classical to contemporary ballets.<ref>[[Deborah Jowitt]], [http://www.villagevoice.com/dance/0812,kansas-city-ballet-happy-fiftieth,381145,14.html Kansas City Ballet: Happy Fiftieth!], ''The [[Village Voice]]'', March 18th, 2008</ref> The Ballet also is located at the Lyric Theatre, and also will move with the Symphony and Opera to the Kauffman Center in 2009. ====Jazz==== [[Image:Negro Leage Baseball Museum and American Jazz Museum.jpg|right|thumb|222px|Entrance of the American Jazz Museum]] <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Performing-arts-center.gif|thumb|right|222px|The [[Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts]], future home of the [[Kansas City Symphony]], the Lyric Opera, and the Kansas City Ballet, due to open in 2009.]] --> Kansas City jazz in the 1930s marked the transition from big bands to the bebop influence of the 1940s. In the 1930s, "City Boss" [[Tom Pendergast]] was at his height of his power and left Kansas City a wide open town in which night clubs were allowed to remain open from dusk to dawn. In this venue, an era of [[musical improvisation]] developed in which it was not uncommon for a single "song" to be performed all night by competing performers who passed through the city. The era ended in 1936 when producer [[John H. Hammond]] began signing Kansas City talent and transferring the acts to [[New York City]]. The era of Kansas City influence is bracketed by the signing of [[Count Basie]] in 1929 to the advent of Kansas City native [[Charlie Parker]] in the 1940s. Pendergast pleaded guilty to income tax evasion in 1939 and the city soon began a crackdown of the clubs. In the 1970s, Kansas City attempted to resurrect the glory of the jazz era in a sanitized family friendly atmosphere. In the 1970s, an effort to open jazz clubs in the River Quay area of City Market along the Missouri ended in a gangland war in which three of the new clubs were blown up in what ultimately resulted in the removal of Kansas City mob influence in the Las Vegas casinos that was partially depicted in the movie [[Casino (movie)]]. Today, Kansas City's popular venues for live jazz include: The Blue Room (18th & Vine), Jardine's in Westport, Mutual Musicians Foundation ("The Foundation," authentic, opens at midnight after most clubs close, 18th & Vine), The Majestic Steakhouse (nightly, 10th & Broadway), Mid-America Arts Alliance (downtown), Harling's Upstairs (18-piece "[[big band]]" on Tuesdays), Jazz (in Westport), Bar Natasha, The Cigar Box, The Phoenix, The Piano Room (in [[Waldo]] district), and The Club at Plaza III (upscale). Besides the numerous clubs, major jazz artists also perform at the Folly Theater in a noted jazz series. The annual "Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival," which attracts top jazz stars nationwide and large out-of-town audiences, is rated Kansas City's "best festival."<ref>[http://pitch.com/bestof/2001/award/best-festival-15509/ The Pitch, ''Best of 2007'': "Best Festival" - Kansas City's Blues and Jazz Festival.]</ref> In 1999, the [[American Jazz Museum]] opened in the [[18th and Vine]] neighborhood with exhibits on [[Charlie Parker]], [[Duke Ellington]], [[Louis Armstrong]], and others. :''Further information: [[Kansas City jazz]]'' ====Local music scene==== Kansas City's local music scene enjoyed a revival starting in the mid-1960s, based around rock and blues in addition to jazz. Live music venues can be found throughout the city, with the highest concentration in the [[Westport, Kansas City|Westport]] entertainment district centered on Broadway and Westport Road near the [[Country Club Plaza]]. More recently, [[punk rock|punk]] and [[hip-hop]] acts have been popular. Recent rock groups originating in Kansas City and direct surrounding areas include [[The Leo Project]], [[Puddle of Mudd]], [[The Get Up Kids]], [[Shiner (band)|Shiner]], [[Flee The Seen]], [[The Life and Times]], [[Reggie and the Full Effect]], [[Coalesce]], [[The Casket Lottery]], [[The Gadjits]], [[The Appleseed Cast]], [[The Rainmakers (Kansas City, Missouri band)]], [[The Esoteric]], [[Vedera]], [[The Elders]], [[Blackpool Lights]] and [[The Republic Tigers]]. Native rappers include [[Tech N9ne]], [[Solè]], [[Skatterman & Snug Brim]], [[Big Bear]], [[Young Tuhbz]], [[Kut Calhoun]], [[X Dash]], and [[Flashes of Quincy]]. [[Image:KCMO Auditorium and ConventionCenter.jpg|thumb|right|222px|[[Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City)|Municipal Auditorium]] and [[Bartle Hall Convention Center]], Kansas City]] ====Other live performance==== Kansas City has a number of concert halls and auditoriums that serve visiting performers. Classical music events through the Harriman-Jewell Concert Series, Friends of Chamber Music, and other organizations, as well as touring Broadway shows perform at Folly Theater and Music Hall Kansas City (at Municipal Auditorium) in downtown. The [[Sprint Center]] and [[Kemper Arena]] host major national acts such as [[Garth Brooks]], [[Hannah Montana]], [[Van Halen]], and [[Cirque du Soleil]]. ===Irish culture scene=== There is a large community of [[Irish American|Irish]] in Kansas City which numbers around 250,000. The Irish Community includes a large number of bands, including Kansas City's own [[The Elders]], multiple newspapers, the numerous Irish stores, including Browne's Irish Market, the oldest Irish owned business in [[North America]], and the [[Irish Museum and Cultural Center]] is the new center of the community. The first book that detailed the history of the Irish in Kansas City was Missouri Irish, Irish Settlers on the American Frontier, published in 1984. ==Media== [[Image:Kc-star-plant1.jpg|thumb|right|222px|''[[The Kansas City Star]]'' 's new printing plant that opened in June 2006.]] ===Print media=== ''[[The Kansas City Star]]'' is the area's primary newspaper. [[William Rockhill Nelson]] and his partner, Samuel Morss, first published the evening paper on [[September 18]], [[1880]]. The ''Star'' competed heavily with the morning ''Times'' before acquiring it in 1901. The "Times" name was discontinued in March 1990, when the morning paper was renamed the "Star."<ref>Harry Haskell, Boss-Busters and Sin Hounds: Kansas City and Its "Star" (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2007) ISBN 9780826217691</ref> Weekly newspapers include ''The Call''<ref>[http://www.kccall.com/ The Call<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> (African American focused) and several weekly papers, including the ''[[Kansas City Business Journal]]'', ''[[The Pitch (newspaper)|The Pitch]]'' and the bilingual paper "Dos Mundos". The city is served by two major faith-oriented newspapers: The Kansas City Metro Voice, serving the Christian community, and the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, serving the Jewish community. ===Broadcast media=== [[Image:Kctv-tower1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Landmark [[KCTV-TV]] Tower on West 31st on Union Hill]] {{main|Broadcast Media in Kansas City}} The Kansas City media market (ranked 32nd by Arbitron<ref>[http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/bluebook_sp08.pdf Arbitron, Inc., ''Spring '08 Blue Book,'' "2008 Market Survey Schedule: All Markets,"], p. 4</ref> and 31st by Nielsen<ref>[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2007/11/06/nielsen-people-meter-markets/1649 TV by the Numbers, ''Nielsen People Meter Markets'', November 6th, 2007: "Rank, Designated Market Area, Homes"]</ref>) includes 10 television channels, along with 30 FM and 21 AM radio stations. Kansas City broadcasters have been a stepping stone for many nationally recognized television and radio personalities, including [[Walter Cronkite]], [[Rush Limbaugh]], and [[Mancow Muller]]. ===Film community=== {{main|Film in Kansas City}} Kansas City has also been a locale for [[Hollywood]] productions and [[television programming]]. Also, between 1931 and 1982, Kansas City was home to the [[Calvin Company]], a large movie production company that specialized in the making of promotional and sales training short films and commercials for large corporations, as well as educational movies for schools and training films for government. Calvin was also an important venue for the Kansas City arts, serving as training ground for many local filmmakers who went on to successful Hollywood careers, and also employing many local actors, most of whom earned their main income in other fields, such as radio and television announcing. Kansas City native [[Robert Altman]] got his start directing movies at the Calvin Company, and this experience led him to making his first feature film, [[The Delinquents]], in Kansas City using many local thespians. The 1983 television movie ''[[The Day After]]'' was filmed in Kansas City and [[Lawrence, Kansas]]. The 1990s film ''[[Truman (film)|Truman]]'' starring [[Gary Sinise]] was also filmed in various parts of the city. Other films shot in or around Kansas City include ''[[Article 99]]'', ''[[Mr. and Mrs. Bridge|Mr. & Mrs. Bridge]]'', ''[[Kansas City (film)|Kansas City]]'', ''[[Paper Moon (film)|Paper Moon]]'', ''[[In Cold Blood (film)|In Cold Blood]]'', and ''[[Sometimes They Come Back]]'' (in and around nearby [[Liberty, Missouri|Liberty, MO]]). == Sports == {{main|Sports in Kansas City}} Kansas City sports teams presently include the following: {| class="wikitable" |- !Club !Sport !Founded !League !Venue |- |[[Kansas City Chiefs]] |[[American Football]] |1963 |[[National Football League]] |[[Arrowhead Stadium]] |- |[[Kansas City Royals]] |[[Baseball]] |1969 |[[Major League Baseball]] |[[Kauffman Stadium]] |- |[[Kansas City Explorers]] |[[Tennis]] |1993 |[[World TeamTennis]] |[[Barney Allis Plaza]] |- |[[Kansas City Wizards]] |[[Soccer]] |1996 |[[Major League Soccer]] |[[CommunityAmerica Ballpark]] |- |[[Kansas City Brigade]] |[[Arena Football]] |2006 |[[Arena Football League]] |[[Sprint Center]] |- |[[Kansas City Roller Warriors]] |[[Roller Derby]] |2004 |[[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]] |[[Hale Arena]] |} Kansas City is often the home of the [[Big 12]] College Basketball Tournaments. Men's Basketball will be played at [[Sprint Center]] beginning in March 2008, while women's Basketball will be played at [[Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City)|Municipal Auditorium]]. Lately, arenas in Dallas and Oklahoma City have hosted the tournament. [[Arrowhead Stadium]] serves as the venue for various intercollegiate football games. Often it is the host of the [[Big 12]] [[American football|Football]] Title Game. On the last weekend in October, the Fall Classic rivalry game between [[Northwest Missouri State University]] and [[Pittsburg State University]] takes place here. Usually, the Bearcats of Northwest and Gorillas of Pitt State are ranked one-two in the [[Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association|MIAA]] conference. In 2005, other games at Arrowhead included [[Arkansas State University|Arkansas State]] playing host to [[University of Missouri|Missouri]], and [[Kansas Jayhawks|Kansas]] hosting [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]]. ==Casinos== Missouri voters approved riverboat [[casino]] gaming on the [[Missouri River|Missouri]] and [[Mississippi River]]s by referendum with a 63% majority on [[November 3]], [[1992]]. The first casino facility in the state opened in September 1994 in North Kansas City by [[Harrah's Entertainment]].<ref>[http://www.mgc.dps.mo.gov/history_rb.htm Missouri Gaming Commission: ''The History of Riverboat Gambling in Missouri'']</ref> The combined revenues for the four casinos successfully operating in Kansas City exceeded $153 million per month in May 2008.<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/663369.html The Kansas City Star, [[13 June]] [[2008]]: ''Missouri riverboat casinos’ revenue increases in May''.]</ref> The four casinos are: *[[Ameristar Casinos|Ameristar Kansas City]], the largest casino both in revenue and size in Kansas City, with hotel, 8 restaurants, live entertainment on 3 stages, & 18-screen movie theater. *[[Argosy Gaming Company|Argosy Kansas City]], casino, hotel, spa, & restaurants. *[[Harrah's Entertainment|Harrah's North Kansas City]], casino, hotel, 5 restaurants, & live entertainment at Toby Keith's. *[[Isle of Capri Casinos|Isle of Capri Kansas City]], casino & 4 restaurants. == Sites of interest == [[Image:Liberty Memorial 2008.jpg|thumb|222px|right|[[Liberty Memorial]] & [[National World War I Museum]].]] *[[Liberty Memorial]] and [[National World War I Museum]]. *[[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]], major landmark now with restaurants, shopping, & special shows. *[[Science City at Union Station]], interactive science center, Gottlieb Planetarium, & acclaimed exhibitions. *[[College Basketball Experience]] and [[National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame]], next to the Sprint Center. *[[American Jazz Museum]], in the [[18th and Vine Historic District]]. *[[Negro Leagues Baseball Museum]], in the 18th and Vine Historic District. *[[Kansas City Museum]] at Corinthian Hall, local area history and natural sciences museum in a Beaux-Arts mansion. *[[Arabia Steamboat|Steamboat Arabia Museum]], artifacts & history of a sidewheel steamboat sunk in 1856, recovered in 1987-88; interactive displays & tour. *[[Thomas Hart Benton (painter)|Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site]], famous regionalist painter's residence, with 13 original works of art on display. *[[Airline History Museum]] at [[Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport]]. *[http://www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org/ Toy & Miniature Museum of Kansas City], the largest collection of classic toys and fine-scale miniatures in the Midwest. *[[Irish Museum and Cultural Center]] located in Kansas City's [[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]]. *[[Architecture of Kansas City#Community Christian Church|Community Christian Church]], designed by [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] with 1.2 billion [[candlepower]] "Spire of Light," open for tours, on the Plaza. *[[Kansas City Power & Light District|Power & Light District]], Kansas City's downtown entertainment district with clubs, bars, & restaurants. *[[Country Club Plaza]], first shopping center designed to accommodate the automobile; quality boutiques, stores, & dining. *[[Crown Center]] shopping, entertainment, restaurant, and hotel complex. *[[Crossroads Arts District]], warehouse district with dozens of art galleries & restaurants. *[[Westport, Kansas City|Westport]], historic district; restaurants, entertainment, and nightlife. *[[Zona Rosa (Kansas City)|Zona Rosa]], recent mixed-use development – retail, office and residential; shopping, restaurants, & entertainment. *City Market, large farmers' market in [[River Market]] district, where the original Town of Kansas was founded. *45th & State Line, antiques district with several stores and antique dealers. *[[Battle of Westport]] sites, one of the major battles of the [[American Civil War]]. *[[Battle of Little Blue River]] site, Big Blue Battlefield Park, 63rd & Manchester Tfwy, American Civil War site. *[[Laugh-O-Gram Studio]], Walt Disney's original cartoon studio in Kansas City. Now being renovated. *[http://www.kcmo.org/parks.nsf/web/shoal Shoal Creek Living History Museum], 20 authentic buildings from the 1800s; events, tours, and historical reenactments. *[[Hallmark Cards|Hallmark Cards Tour]], company history and interactive displays at headquarters in Crown Center complex. *[[Harley-Davidson#Factory tours & museum|Harley-Davidson factory tour]], motorcycle manufacturer's Vehicle and Powertrain Operations plant tours, (closed for remodeling in 2008). *[[Boulevard Brewing Company|Boulevard Brewing Company Tour]], America's 7th largest craft brewer, manufacturing tour and beer tasting. *[http://www.theroasterie.com/aboutus/tour.asp The Roasterie, tour], large regional roaster of air roasted coffee, tour & tasting. *[[Worlds of Fun]] and [[Oceans of Fun]] amusement parks. *[[Kansas City Zoo]], 10th largest zoo in the United States, located in [[Swope Park]]. ==Sister cities== [[Image:HermanaKansasCitySevilla.JPG|thumb|150px|"Scout," statue by Cyrus Dallin in Seville, Spain sistered with Kansas City, which has an identical statue in Penn Valley Park.]] As of December 2007, Kansas City has 13 sister cities:<ref>http://www.kcsistercities.org www.kcsistercities.org</ref> *{{flagicon|Tanzania}} [[Arusha]], [[Tanzania]] (1995) *{{flagicon|Sierra Leone}} [[Freetown]], [[Sierra Leone]] (1974) *{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara]], [[Mexico]] (1991) *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Hannover]], [[Germany]] (1993) *{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kurashiki]], [[Japan]] (1972) *{{flagicon|France}} [[Metz]], [[France]] (2004) *{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Morelia]], [[Mexico]] (1973) *{{flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Port Harcourt]], [[Nigeria]] (1993) *{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Ramla]], [[Israel]] (1998) *{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[San Nicolas de los Garza]], [[Mexico]] (1997) *{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Seville]], [[Spain]] (1967) *{{flagicon|Republic of China}} [[Tainan City]], [[Republic of China]] (1978) *{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Xi'an]], [[People's Republic of China]] (1989) ==See also== *[[List of people from Kansas City]] == References == {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Kansas City, Missouri}} *[http://www.kcmo.org/ Official City Website] *[http://www.visitkc.com/ Official Travel and Tourism Site] *[http://www.kcchamber.com/ Kansas City Chamber of Commerce] {{Mapit-US-cityscale|39.10|-94.58}} {{Kansas City, Missouri}} {{Kansas City MSA}} {{Cass County, Missouri}} {{Clay County, Missouri}} {{Jackson County, Missouri}} {{Platte County, Missouri}} {{Missouri}} {{USLargestCities}} {{USLargestMetros}} {{AllAmericanCity}} [[Category:Kansas City, Missouri| ]] [[Category:Kansas City metropolitan area]] [[Category:Cass County, Missouri]] [[Category:Clay County, Missouri]] [[Category:Jackson County, Missouri]] [[Category:Platte County, Missouri]] [[Category:Cities in Missouri]] [[Category:1850 establishments]] [[af:Kansas City]] [[ar:كانزاس سيتي، ميزوري]] [[bg:Канзас Сити (Мисури)]] [[ca:Kansas City]] [[cs:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[de:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[et:Kansas City]] [[es:Kansas City (Misuri)]] [[eo:Kansasurbo (Misurio)]] [[fa:کانزاس‌سیتی]] [[fr:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[gl:Kansas City, Misuri]] [[ko:캔자스시티 (미주리 주)]] [[io:Kansas City, Missouri]] [[id:Kansas City, Missouri]] [[it:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[pam:Kansas Lakanbalen, Missouri]] [[ka:კანზას-სიტი]] [[nl:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[ja:カンザスシティ (ミズーリ州)]] [[no:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[nn:Kansas City i Missouri]] [[pl:Kansas City]] [[pt:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[ro:Kansas City, Missouri]] [[ru:Канзас-Сити (Миссури)]] [[simple:Kansas City, Missouri]] [[sk:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[sr:Канзас Сити]] [[sh:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[fi:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[sv:Kansas City, Missouri]] [[ta:கேன்சஸ் நகரம் (மிசூரி)]] [[tr:Kansas City]] [[vec:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[vo:Kansas City (Missouri)]] [[zh:堪薩斯城 (密蘇里州)]]