Kansas City has approved Resolution No. 260960, sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas, which moves forward the Kansas City Convention Center and Municipal Auditorium Vision Plan, starting with the restoration of convention facilities at Bartle Hall, Municipal Auditorium, and the Music Hall.
The work builds on Question 2, the $100m bond Kansas City voters approved in August, which set aside about $75m for the convention complex, and is part of an estimated $500m to improve convention spaces over the next decade.
“Kansas Citians voted to preserve our historic gathering spaces while equipping them with the technology and amenities to be competitive in our region and globally,” said mayor Quinton Lucas. “Our convention and entertainment facilities support thousands of Kansas City jobs and dozens of industries that welcome millions of residents and guests each year. Municipal Auditorium and the Music Hall have hosted our biggest moments for nearly a century. The voters have made it possible to create plans to make our historic convention centre, H. Roe Bartle Hall, Municipal Auditorium, and the Music Hall structures modern, accessible, and competitive with newer facilities near and far for the next one hundred years, keeping Kansas City the home of great events and special memories.”
The first phase, targeted for 2028, includes $75m in improvements: modernised arena seating, restrooms, and concessions; better accessibility; preservation of the Music Hall; and exterior upgrades that connect the building to Barney Allis Plaza.
Municipal Auditorium will also be the new home of UMKC basketball. Later phases, planned through 2036, would connect and modernise the broader convention centre campus, including new gathering and exhibit spaces at all facilities.”
