KC eyes $440M convention center makeover to draw more visitors. Can the city afford it?

There’s a world where Kansas City could invest close to half a billion dollars modernizing its aging downtown convention facilities. It’s one that would position the city to build off of momentum from global sporting buzz and better compete for events and visitors with glitzier spaces other big cities are developing. However, it’s also a world where officials will have to get creative with funding after a year spent pledging millions of available convention dollars to other projects. The City Council last week asked for a study of how they could implement “some or all” improvement projects outlined in a “vision plan” for the eight-block Kansas City Convention Center complex. The council also authorized a request for proposals so the city can nail down final costs and other specifics for the plan’s “phase zero”: an estimated $75 million to upgrade seating, concessions, accessibility and building utilities at Municipal Auditorium and the Music Hall.

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