What’s New in Kansas City On both sides of the state line, the metro is getting a makeover.

Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Everything’s Up to Date in Kansas City” has perhaps never been more appropriate than it is today...or will be very shortly. Forward-thinking politicians, architects and urban planners are creating new and improved places for visitors and residents to enjoy, from a performing arts center and sports arena to museum additions and entertainment districts.

Here are some of the exciting changes taking place:

Power and Light District
The vibrant nine-block district is a primary revitalizing force for downtown Kansas City, Mo. Think broad streets, open storefronts, a generous helping of restaurants and an outdoor performance area.

Following the first phase that opened in early 2008, the project will feature approximately 425,000 square feet of retail, entertainment and loft living. New and unique tenants are signing on every day. One block of the district features Kansas City Live!, which is designed for music and festivals.

The dynamic district will eventually have a blend of hip boutiques, unique concept stores, a gourmet supermarket, clubs and lounges that will launch Kansas City as a true 24-hour city.

The Legends at Village West
The Legends, an open-air shopping and entertainment district in Kansas City, Kan., joins Cabela’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Great Wolf Lodge, CommunityAmerica Ballpark and the Kansas Speedway in the city’s fastest-growing area. Opened in 2006, it features approximately 750,000 square feet of first-class retail shopping, dining and entertainment options found nowhere else in the metro. The Legends uses its beautiful grounds to celebrate more than 80 famous Kansans in a variety of art forms, including statues, portraits and medallions.

Liberty Memorial
Originally dedicated on Nov. 11, 1926, the restored museum and tower were rededicated and reopened on May 25, 2002. But that was just phase one. Since 2002, the museum has received major funding boosts. A second-phase addition included a 230-seat auditorium and an education center beneath the memorial. And the third and final phase — a 30,000 museum expansion below the tower — opened in Dec. 2006.

Recognized by Congress as our country’s only WWI monument, the Liberty Memorial has the largest and most comprehensive collection of World War I artifacts, relics and archival materials in the world.

Metropolitan Kansas City

Performing Arts Center
Ground-breaking architecture by Moshe Safdie will provide the backdrop for performances by local arts organizations when his stunning building opens in 2010.

Patrons will enjoy a 2,200-seat multipurpose facility designed for touring Broadway shows, concerts and comedians, as well as the Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera. A 1,350-seat concert hall will host the Kansas City Symphony and performances by other mid-size musical organizations. A 500-person banquet facility, 950-space parking garage and 500-seat community theater also will become part ofthe complex.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Acclaimed architect Steven Holl’s glass lenses are the competition-winning addition to the original neoclassical Nelson-Atkins building. Composed of five interconnected structures as opposed to a single
massive expansion, the design might be Holl’s greatest professional achievement. Opened June 2007, the addition offers new spaces and angles unparalleled by almost any other structure in the Midwest. Though a style departure from the existing structure, the Bloch Building — named in honor of longtime benefactor and museum trustee, Henry Bloch, and his wife, Marion — complements renovations to the original museum building, picturesque lawn and sculpture park.

Money Museum
The $200 million museum, which opened June 16, allows visitors to peek into the world of the Federal Reserve. The building is the first Bank designed and built since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but the museum focuses on the history of the United States’ currency. The centerpiece of the exhibit is the Truman Coin collection, which includes coins dating back to George Washington’s administration. Reservations aren’t required, but large groups are encouraged to call the Public Affairs department at 816/881-2683 to avoid conflicts with other tour groups.

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Acclaimed architect Steven Holl’s glass lenses are the competition-winning addition to the original neoclassical Nelson-Atkins building. Composed of five interconnected structures as opposed to a single massive expansion, the design might be Holl’s greatest professional achievement. Opened June 2007, the addition offers new spaces and angles unparalleled by almost any other structure in the Midwest. Though a style departure from the existing structure, the Bloch Building — named in honor of longtime benefactor and museum trustee, Henry Bloch, and his wife, Marion — complements renovations to the original museum building, picturesque lawn and sculpture park.

Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art
Designed by Cambridge, Mass.-based architect Kyu Sung Woo, the Nerman Museum opened spring 2007 on the Johnson County Community College campus in Overland Park. Supported by and named in honor of local art collectors Jerome and Margaret Nerman, the 36,000-square-foot Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is a departure from the college’s mostly brick façade. The Nermans donated $1.5 million to help establish the glass and limestone addition, which adjoins the new Regnier Center for Technology and Business, designed by local firm Gould Evans Architects. In addition to providing exhibition space, the museum offers arts education opportunities for both children and adults.

Schlitterbahn Vacation Village
Coming Soon!
The popular Texas-based water parks will be getting a sister in 2009. The newest addition to the family is under construction on a 370-acre track near Village West in Kansas City, Kan. The project would include man-made rivers that carry guests between lodging units (including a treehouse resort), a large water park, year-round interactive marine park and a covered Riverwalk with shops and restaurants.

Sprint Center
Kansas City is a major hub of sports architecture firms, and four of them have collaborated to design the 18,500-seat Sprint Center, opened fall 2007. Ellerbe Becket, HOK Sport + Venue + Event, 360 Architecture and Rafael Architects, Inc. — collectively known as the Downtown Arena Design Team (DADT) — have designed the glass structure to reflect the downtown skyline. The cornerstone of downtown’s revitalization, the Sprint Center hosts basketball, hockey, concerts, family shows and special events.

College Basketball Experience and National Collegiate Basketball Hall
of Fame
As part of the $276 million Sprint Center, the College Basketball Experience and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame serve to celebrate the history of men’s collegiate basketball. It honors coaches,
players and contributors alike who have made an impact on the game. A museum and interactive adventure alike, visitors are able to work with hands-on exhibits and experience basketball like never before.