Northeast News
March 8, 2013

A number of Kansas City streets will be temporarily closed next week for the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championships and the Big 12 5K Fun Run and Family Stroll.

Kansas City will host the Big 12 championships on March 13 to 16, an event that attracts thousands of fans.

Streets closures are as follows:
•Grand Boulevard (between 13th Street and Truman Road): closed from 10 a.m. on Monday, March 11 through midnight Sunday, March 17
•14th Street (between Walnut Street and Grand Boulevard): closed from 10 a.m. on Monday, March 11 through midnight Sunday, March 17
•Walnut Street (between 13th and 14th streets): closed from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12 through midnight Sunday, March 17

In addition, Kansas City’s first Big 12 5K Fun Run and Family Stroll will close the following streets on Saturday, March 16, starting at 9 a.m. and lasting until the race concludes (roughly 10:30 a.m.):
•Grand Boulevard  (between Truman and Pershing roads)
•16th Street (between Broadway Street and Grand Boulevard)
•Broadway Street (between 17th and 16th streets)
•17th Street (between Broadway Street and Baltimore Avenue)
•Baltimore Avenue (between 17th Street and Southwest Boulevard)
•Southwest Boulevard (between Broadway Street and Baltimore Avenue)
•W. Pennway Street (between Southwest Boulevard and Pershing Road)
•Pershing Road (between W. Pennway Street and Grand Boulevard)

The Championships are estimated to have a $14 million impact on the local economy, and delays created by increased traffic and parking demand are expected. Individuals attending the games are advised to allow extra time for arriving. Plenty of parking is available within comfortable walking distance to the Sprint Center.

Municipal garages charge $10 for event parking. As these facilities fill and motorists seek parking alternatives, they should carefully read posted signs at commercial parking lots and make certain they understand the pricing and terms.

As with any event, items such as GPS, laptops, cell phones, audio devices, purses and sunglasses are a temptation for thieves and should not be visible in parked cars.

For a map of downtown parking facilities, visit www.VisitKC.com/big12basketball. For game schedules, visit www.big12sports.com.