Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
Jan. 7, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The 18th & Vine Jazz District isn’t usually the first option that comes to mind for Kansas Citians when thinking of entertainment options on a night out.

Councilman Jermaine Reed wants that to change.

Last Wednesday, during a joint meeting of the city’s Planning, Economic Development and Zoning Committee and Finance Committee, Reed proposed a resolution that would allow City Manager Troy Schulte to develop a financing plan that would search for additional funds for the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. Along with the help of Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, the proposed resolution would seek between $15 – $18 million, an increase from the originally estimated cost of $7 million. There were roughly 50 people who attended the presentation, as well as 9 out of 13 council members, during a three-hour discussion at Wednesday’s committee meeting.

During Thursday’s City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the resolution. Schulte now has 60 days to find financing options for the project.

“I don’t believe its reached its full potential and its important for us as a city to preserve this area,” Reed said. “It’s time to implement and revitalize.”

If funding is procured, the city would renovations and new development in the Jazz District, including: $1.5 million for an open-air plaza and fountain at 18th Street and Paseo, $1.1 million for a new surface parking lot west of Paseo, $3.9 million worth of new retail buildings in place of an existing parking lot at the southwest corner of 18th and Vine, a new café and renovations for the Blue Room in the American Jazz Museum, $2 million worth of headquarters and performing space plus preservation of the Boone Theater facade at the Kansas City Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and $1 million would be spent completing the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center.