Unless you worked in one of its office towers, downtown Kansas City in the late 20th century was easy to overlook — but in the late ’90s, the tide turned. The restoration of Union Station reminded KC what was possible when it invested in itself. A downtown renaissance followed.
One shining example? The Power & Light District. Once a sea of surface lots, it’s now a cultural epicenter, anchoring everything from live music and dining to civic celebrations. CNN even dubbed it “the biggest catalyst in KC’s revival.”
- Then: Power & Light District’s site was largely surface parking.
- Now: The district attracts millions of visitors annually (18+ million last year alone) and has helped drive over $6.5+ billion in downtown investment.
- Then: Sprint Center opened in 2007, with Elton John as its the first concert.
- Now: Renamed T-Mobile Center, it has welcomed 12+ million guests since for everything from the Big 12 Tournament to high-profile concerts.
One Light has given way to Four Light.
Photo via Power & Light District
- Then: Around ~20,000 people lived in the greater downtown area in 2000.
- Now: That number has jumped to 33,000+, thanks to residential growth including One Light Luxury Apartments (downtown’s first new high-rise in 50+ years), which celebrates 10 years this week.
Do you remember downtown before the glow-up? Share your stories — we may feature them in a future newsletter.
