Some time ago the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce announced five big initiatives for the city to work on, which were purportedly attainable, but very important to the future of our community.
At least one of them, Animal Health Leadership, was not only attainable, but has been declared attained and was replaced with a goal to provide early childhood education, which is an admirable goal, but perhaps something requiring more of an ongoing program or effort than a measurable project that can be recognized as eventually attained. The same would be true for making Kansas City the Most Entrepreneurial City in the U.S. The same might also be said of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative and Growing Kansas City’s Medical Research from Discovery to Cure.
One of the big five that was more measurable is perhaps on the cusp of attainment as it looks as if the UMKC Conservatory will reach its goal to develop a new campus adjacent to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. So what is the next big thing that will replace it on the list of the big five?
Perhaps five isn’t the magic number for these efforts. Maybe there should be more or less. Maybe they should be realigned to recognize a distinction between projects and ongoing programs. In any event, the Chamber feels we need to identify where the energies should be focused so we can maximize effect. We are at a point for decision on multiple issues that may help define our city going forward. Expand the Streetcar? Make a more global mass transportation system? Build a new airport? Relocate the Royals stadium to downtown? Restore the American Royal to its past glory? Create a Cultural Arts District around the Nelson Atkins Museum? And the list goes on.
These and many other issues comprise a smorgasbord of definable projects for consideration. They could all benefit from an intense leadership focus and community consensus. That is a serious issue for a community that has historically seen its business leaders refuse to work together effectively. Witness Joyce Hall creating Crown Center, which was removed from other important community elements at the time it was developed. The same can be said for Marion Labs, Sprint, Corporate Woods, Cerner and other endeavors which have chosen to create their own centers of influence rather than collaborate with other players to help form a critical mass of a vibrant community.
Will the next big five (or six or seven) projects create a measurable success story for Kansas City?
