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CREATIVE CITY NEWSLETTER: SEPTEMBER
2001
ISSUE 3: REGIONALISM
ISSUE IN FOCUS: Regionalism
NEWS YOU CAN USE: Finding
Funding on the Web
CREATIVE
CORNER: Golf with a Purpose
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
Louisville, KY
Bi-State Initiative in Kansas City,
MO
Creative City
conference
BI-STATE INITIATIVE IN KANSAS CITY, MO
The Road to Regionalism
There's a saying…Two heads are better than one. This
adage is particularly apt when talking about Kansas City.
In a striking and exciting brand of regional cooperation,
Kansas City distinguishes itself not only as a Creative City
but as a model for new regionalism as well. Why? The Greater
Metro of Kansas City is divided between Missouri and Kansas.
Two cities, both with separate state and local governments
are looking into a merger, of sorts, to form the Bistate Cultural
District (Bistate II) in an effort to create arts and cultural
opportunities for their citizens spanning geo-political boundaries.
Through a Bistate tax, greater Kansas City will stage metro-wide
cultural and arts events for citizens on BOTH sides of the
river.
If passed, the plan devised by the Bistate District would
be simple:
- Enhance quality of life metro wide
- Unite the Bistate region with agreed upon goals
- Develop valuable arts and culture experiences for all
citizens
- Foster collaboration among many groups throughout the
metro
Apart from enhancing the greater community in general, regional
participation in the arts can have ancillary effects. "Being
in a community that has a healthy arts community does make
a difference to business" says Bill Lyons, CEO of American
Century based in Kansas City, MO.
To be successful, the new partnership will require a wide-range
of alliances. Namely, large numbers of people, now divided
from one another, must be persuaded of their common stake
in its success. The Bistate II project has not been without
its speed bumps. Recently, Kansas City voters rejected a $793
million light-rail transit system proposal, garnering only
40 percent of the overall vote. "I personally failed
to realize how much of a schism there is north-south in this
town," said Leonard Graham, who was co-chairman of a
city steering committee that recommended the light-rail plan.
Kansas City officials appear to recognize what's at stake.
A comprehensive regional approach to growth is one that emphasizes
expanding up instead of out, that provides adequate infrastructure
to free residents from dependence on their cars and one that
safeguards the environment. Mayor Kay Barnes "indicated
[that] light rail could be brought back to voters again-and
her political consultants already are talking about doing
that in November 2002."
So far, the successes outnumber the failures. Kimbrel Westerson,
Editor of Art Magazine would remind us that "When we
watch-look-listen to art, we are changed." That change
is taking the form of many exciting programs available through
the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City. One of the most
successful programs has been in Kansas City's relationship
with the renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe. For 16 years,
enthusiastic fans and sponsors have created an ongoing opportunity
for Kansas City's children to see the troupe perform, take
classes, and be assured of special opportunities.
Ultimately, the road to regionalism is a choice not only
for bodies of governance or public organizations. It requires
a shift in perception from independence to interdependence
on the part of everyday citizens…Viewing greater metropolitan
areas as networked urban villages, rather than discrete municipalities,
that deteriorate or flourish together.
Contributed by Kimberly Niebauer at Partners for Livable Communities.
Kimberly is a graduate student at The George Washington University
School of Business and Public Management.
Related Links:
KCTransitPlan.com
State
Line Static: The border that doubles as a barrier
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