2023 is in the books. For most of us, there were some great and some not so great – like every year. But one of us has had the best year ever. Kansas City.
Our city is on the come up. And to think “Everything’s Up To Date in Kansas City” was written 50+ years ago!
From the opening notes of 2023, until the end, KC has been all over the zeitgeist of the country and the world.
Let’s review:
First was the playoff and Super Bowl run of the Kansas City Chiefs. While we will likely only remember the dreadful performance last week against the Raiders, let’s never forget how Patrick and the boys took care of the Eagles in one of the best Super Bowl games in history. Then, we had our second Super Bowl parade in a few years.
Union Station would again be a location for tens of thousands of fans when we hosted the NFL Draft a couple of months later.
Our fair city is also constructing a beautiful new soccer stadium downtown that will start hosting the KC Current in 2024, but if you go down there now, you’ll see all of the development and housing that’s already sprung up in the area. Plus, the Riverside area has been transformed by the KC Current’s new complex and a brand new (albeit too clean) Riverside Red X.
Let’s stay within Platte County as we discuss the brand new KCI Airport that was opened this year. I’ve written about it before, but oh my goodness did we overdo it on the “this ain’t your granddaddy’s airport.” From the smell of BBQ, to the KC-themed shops and restaurants, this one was a true home run.
Even smaller projects that were widely panned seemed to turn out pretty well. I’ve been as critical as anyone about KC’s need for a giant Ferris wheel just west of Union Station, but I’m hearing really great things about it. Maybe Ivan Foley and I need to host a future Landmark Live from high-atop the KC Wheel.
Weed being legalized in Missouri and sports betting in Kansas have provided a boon to the local economies in 2023 as well. I can honestly say that I have personally indulged in both this past year and I am also a fan.
Finally, the economic impact of Taylor Swift on Kansas City is likely immeasurable. Not just her Eras Tour that came to KC this summer, but her romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has led to a huge boon to the footprint of this city.
The only other year I can think of that’s been so impactful has been 2012 when KC hosted the MLB All Star Game. Before that, look to years KC hosted NCAA Final Fours, but even those were only one event. Kansas City has had a bunch this year.
And it couldn’t happen at a better time. Certainly we need to continue to focus on equality and lowering crime in the area, but as a ramp up to the 2026 World Cup being hosted here in Kansas City, KC is right where it needs to be. Everything truly is up to date in Kansas City.
(Catch Chris Kamler on social media, where you’ll find him as @TheFakeNed when he isn’t being Chris Kamler)