Brian’s a bow tie kind of guy. | Photo via the City of Kansas City
Managing a city — isn’t that a mayor’s job? Sort of, but not really. We have a City Manager for that, and his name is Brian Platt.
Recap: “I essentially run the day-to-day operation of this city as directed by the mayor and the council. They set the policy and the vision of the city, and I execute it,” Platt said.
Brian started working in Kansas City in December 2020. Coming from Jersey City, he jumped into a new city and structure of governmentin the middle of the pandemic. Since then, he’s increased the rate of street resurfacing, improved the city’s snow response, and led plans for a KCI solar farm.
1. How do your passions show through things happening in the city?
“I’m very passionate about city operations and city services. I think that is the foundation of the role of city manager, to improve the service delivery to our residents to make quality of life better, and that starts at the bottom — street resurfacing, snow removal, picking up trash — all of the basic stuff that we do.”
2. Why do you care about delivering services to people?
“I think I’ve always had an interest in helping my fellow neighbors and making everyone just feel better about themselves and their lives. Just wanted to give back to those around me and help everybody else out.”
3. What big projects are getting you excited?
“The lid over 670 is one, the solar farm at the airport is another one. Those two are great examples of ways that we’re taking this city to the next level. We’re thinking creatively, outside of the box. We’re making investments in infrastructure in different ways, and we’re putting ourselves on the map. Those two projects are things people will talk about as residents for years to come, but also will bring more people and more energy and attention to the city because of how transformational they are.”
Monday Night Jam Session | Monday, Nov. 21-Monday, Jan. 2 | 7-10 p.m. | The Blue Room, 1600 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Enjoy live jazz presented by the American Jazz Museum. 🎺
Maya The Exhibition | Monday, Nov. 21-Saturday, Dec. 31 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Union Station | $14.50-$19.50 | Here’s something to do with family in town for the holidays: learn about the sophisticated civilization that brought us the number zero, vulcanized rubber, and chocolate.*
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Body Sculpt | Tuesday, Nov. 22-Tuesday, Dec. 27 | 6-7 p.m. | Lucile H. Bluford Branch, 3050 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, MO | Free | Take a brain break while visiting the library and join this high-intensity interval workout — preferably with your own mat and dumbbells. 👟
Painting & Collage | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS | $80-$88 | Combine painting and collage together to create a mixed media art piece.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 6 p.m. | Power & Light District | Free | Take photos with Santa Claus at the Coca-Cola holiday caravan. 📸
Wonderfuzz | Wednesday, Nov. 23, Friday, Nov. 25 | 8 p.m. | Tin Roof, 424 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Get your Thanksgiving pregame started the right way. 🎸
Thursday, Nov. 24
Thanksgiving with The Elms Hotel & Spa | Thursday, Nov. 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Elms Hotel and Spa, 401 Regent St., Excelsior Springs, MO | Prices vary | Enjoy your favorite holiday dishes without the hassle of cooking and cleaning.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
You can’t go wrong with essentials made right. | Photo by The Ridge
Ready to find the perfect holiday gift? Get up to 40% off the Ridge Wallet and other essential gear. This well-built, minimalist, RFID-blocking wallet is a slim, front-pocket wallet option that is perfect for your everyday carry. Every order ships free (with a 99-day return window), and includes a lifetime warranty.
Our opinion? Nothing makes more sense than a gift so useful that he’ll keep it on him every single day. *
A new mid-rise apartment building is officially approved for KCK’s Strawberry Hill. 505 Central will have eight stories, 129 units (mostly one-beds), and 120 underground parking spots. Part of the $40 million project includes improvements at 6th Street + Central Avenue. 🏗 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Sports
The Chiefsbeat the Chargers on the road this weekend, 30-27. Former Mizzou player and KC linebacker Nick Bolton secured the win with a game-ending interception. The next home game is Sunday, Nov. 27 against the Rams.
World Cupwatch parties at KC Live! begin today as the United States faces off against Wales at 1 p.m. Admission is free for USA and Mexico group stage matches, which includes at least six games through Wednesday, Nov. 30. 🇺🇸
Coming Soon
The folks behind Guy’s Deli in Westport are planning a new concept for the Crossroads: Guy’s Bodega. What’s a bodega? Think convenience store meets food counter (like they have all over New York). The shop — at 2101 Broadway Blvd. — does not have an opening date.
Opening
KCMO civic and nonprofit leaders are coming together to open a new soccer facility, turning an old horse barn into a high-quality training center. Kansas City Parks will cut the ribbon on Ryogoku Soccer Academy in Swope Park — at 7331 Oldham Rd. — today at 4 p.m. ⚽️
Biz
Get your tummies ready for some “crazy chicken.” El Pollo Loco plans to bring its southern California chicken to eight locations in Kansas City over the next 10 years. Expect grilled chicken platters, tacos, and bowls. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Concert
Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks are coming to Kansas City, scheduled to perform at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Chiefs coach Andy Reid made the announcement, saying he’s “pumped up for them to be here.” Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. (KCTV5)
Environment
Kansas Citians, help give the gift of clean air this holiday season. If your gift-buying errands include several stops, plan ahead and make one big trip instead of a bunch of separate trips. Trip chaining is just one way to a healthier, greener tomorrow for our city. Explore more simple ways to improve KC’s air quality here.*
Deal
Deciding what to gift the arts lovers in your life this Christmas? Individual Broadway show ticket sales for the 2023 season at the Starlight Theatre open on Fri., Nov., 25 and close Tues., Nov. 29. Quantities are limited, so snag your tickets before they sell out.*
Learn
Babbel — a premium, subscription-based language learning platform — is offering KCtoday readers up to 55% off subscriptions to learn a new language (in just three weeks). Choose from 14 languages and learn through bite-sized, 10-minute sessions that focus on everyday phrases + relevant topics. 🗺️ *
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These are what we call movers and shakers. | Photo by Nonprofit Connect
The Phillys. Not the baseball team or the cheese steak sandwiches.These awards are given out to Kansas City area nonprofits doing amazing things around the metro.
Nonprofit Connect, the group behind the awards, started out in the 1970s as the Council of Philanthropy. Philanthropy... Philly... get it?
215+ submissions were broken into three categories based on size. Nonprofit Connect then honored 70 organizations for excellence in marketing and communications. Among the winners were Best In-House (created internally)+ Best In Class (receiving the most points).
Editor’s pick: I perform in the Kansas City Wind Symphony (alto sax, what what), and we had our November concert this weekend at Village Presbyterian Church — at 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS. The beautiful space serves as a performance venue and hosts a variety of incredible musical acts, not to toot my own horn. Here’s the concert calendar. 🎷
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