The DCID is a private, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to maintaining a clean, green, safe and economically competitive Central Business District (CBD) in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The mission is tackled and accomplished on a daily basis by a team of maintenance, horticulture and safety Ambassadors dedicated to Downtown, and its employers, workers, residents and visitors.
Downtown KC has earned a top 10 ranking among U.S. downtowns by Forbes magazine, which reported that Kansas City has a “walkable and livable downtown” – the kind of urban experience that simply wouldn’t be possible without the CIDs.
DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
2012-2013ANNUAL REPORT
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE GUYS! You have a great team and I really enjoy working with them!
KERI, DOWNTOWN RETAILER
MIKE, DOWNTOWN OFFICE TENANT
I HAVE WORKED IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY FOR 30 YEARS. As our city prepares to host thousands of out of town guests for the Big 12 basketball tournament, I want to say that Downtown KC looks very good, indeed, due to the efforts that your Ambassadors make to keep the streets clean and safe. Without exception, they create a positive and professional image of people who actually care about the community, its residents and guests. Thank you, and keep up your good work for our city!
JUDY, DOWNTOWN VISITOR
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, I WAS AT THE DOWNTOWN CVS WHEN MY POWER WHEELCHAIR BROKE DOWN. The store manager called the DCID Dispatcher and soon two Ambassadors arrived and began helping me with my situation. The young men helped me, stayed with me until my ride arrived and were very compassionate even when I began to cry. Those Ambassadors were WONDERFUL!
I WAS WALKING MY NEIGHBOR’S DOG AND REALIZED WHEN I REACHED THE APARTMENT DOOR THAT I HAD LOST MY KEYS. After a short panic period, I started backtracking my way to Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park when I noticed a CID Ambassador and asked if anyone had turned…”in your keys?” he said. I really appreciated his friendly, courteous demeanor as well as his ability to help me laugh about my situation. I just want to let you know how happy I am with the services the CID provides and your staff is always friendly and helpful. They make the Downtown experience pleasant, safe and homey.
BONITA, DOWNTOWN RESIDENT
MARKETING INITIATIVES FOR THE DCID AND CBD The DCID adopted a new brand identity in 2012.
Verbally and visually, the brand helps to communicate the organization’s unique value proposition. The new brand is meant to reflect today’s revitalized Downtown Kansas City — complete with its colorful, diverse and creative people, neighborhoods and businesses.
MARKETING INITIATIVES FOR 2012-2013• Downtown CID Annual Report• Downtown CID Quarterly Newsletter• New logo and brand platform• Downtown CID content, blog posts and photos on DowntownKC.org website• Ambassadors actively distribute maps, directories and directions to help
inform visitors, residents and employees about events, dining and attractions• Ambassadors played critical clean, green and safe roles as Downtown
served as Home Base for fan activities during the Major League Baseball All Star Game festivities in July 2013
DOWNTOWNKC.ORG / 816.421.5243
PARTNERS WITH THE FULL EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL (FEC)The DCID continues to partner with the FEC in the Occupational Skill Training Program for intern candidates, which has provided the DCID with additional Ambassadors at no cost to ratepayers. Over the last two years, the DCID had 38 intern Ambassadors who provided more than 15,600 hours of services at a savings of $121,620 to ratepayers.
TRAINING THE AMBASSADORSThe DCID is committed to educating the Ambassadors with additional skills and knowledge through year-round comprehensive training courses. Ambassadors undergo intensive training in crime prevention and reporting, first-responder training, homeless outreach services, along with these classes in the last year:
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS: MAY 2012 – APRIL 2013MAINTENANCE SERVICES:
To ensure a remarkable urban experience every day, the DCID Public Maintenance Ambassadors are dedicated to keeping Downtown streets clean, friendly and inviting.
Ambassadors quickly remove graffiti, stickers and illegal posters throughout the CBD. They routinely identify and report deteriorating and broken infrastructure to the City’s 311 Action Center, thus allowing consistent service to Downtown stakeholders.
The DCID deploys 14 Public Maintenance Ambassadors who manually sweep sidewalks at least twice daily. Sidewalks receive a monthly power washing to remove accumulated stains and grime. The DCID has a zero tolerance policy for graffiti. Specially trained teams use solvents and high pressure washers to blast graffiti from multiple levels of building walls, light poles, and street furniture while protecting architectural surfaces.
DCID Public Safety Ambassadors provide a reassuring presence on CBD streets seven days a week. These uniformed “yellow jackets” are visible throughout the CBD as they work the Kansas City Central Library, Metro stops, key intersections, streets, parking lots and special events, welcoming and assisting more than 70,000 workers, 20,000 residents and 12 million visitors annually.
Ambassadors serve as a first point of contact for emergency needs; helping to maintain order, and deterring crime through their consistent coverage and visibility. Maintaining valuable partnerships with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department (KCPD) and other police agencies helps to sustain low crime levels in the CBD by monitoring and reporting any illegal activity immediately.
EMERGENCY SERVICES STATS:PROVIDING EMERGENCY SERVICES AND HEALTHY MEALSDCID Ambassadors play a central role in the Downtown Council’s commitment to working with and caring for the homeless population of greater Downtown. Homeless outreach reached new heights over the last four years, as reStart, Episcopal Community Services (ECS) and the DCID opened the Community Kitchen at 8th and Paseo. DCID Public Safety Ambassadors provide on-site security and support at the Center.
Improving the physical environment and the pedestrian experience are crucial to Downtown’s quality of life. Through a partnership with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, the DCID receives Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) funding to make improvements, including these in spring 2013:
SAFETYBUILDING A SAFE AND SOUND DOWNTOWN
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS: MAY 2012 – APRIL 2013SAFETY SERVICES:
In his first State of the City address, Mayor Sly James celebrated the fact that Downtown Kansas City has reached a tipping point – that moment when an idea, trend, or behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.
That tipping point didn’t happen by accident. In the 10 years since the Downtown Community Improvement District (DCID) was created – a pivotal moment in Downtown’s revival – more than $6 billion has been invested in the renaissance of Downtown.
DCID CELEBRATES 10-YEAR MILESTONE
DOWNTOWNKC.ORG
1,500 Square feet of landscaping installed 200 Linear feet of sidewalks installed 24 Damaged tree wells repaired 24 Dead trees removed 24 2.5-inch caliper trees installed 36 Fire hydrants painted 22 Light poles painted 10 Above-ground planters installed 8 Decorative flags installed 8 Trash receptacles installed 6 Park benches installed
17,065TRASH BAGS COLLECTED
1,915GRAFFITI
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MAINTENANCEA CLEAN DOWNTOWN IS THE FOUNDATION OF A STRONG AND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOOD
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTDCID board members and ratepayers are committed to the health and vitality of Downtown in such areas as:
• Created $10 million bonding package to stimulate market rate housing
• Resolved zoning issues allowing businesses to meet proposed opening dates
• Provided assistance to CBD merchants by retaining needed retailers and removing operators that cause nuisance violations
• Saved and restored historic structures in the CBD through preservation efforts
• Interfaced with Missouri Department of Probation and Parole to address the issue of offender recidivism in Downtown
• Provided homeless services through the Downtown Community Services Center (DCSC) and Kansas City Community Kitchen
In 2012, reStart, Inc. provided support to 6,680 adults, 3,370 families and 1,367 children, and opened the Housing Solutions Center.
Our state of the art kitchen, managed by ECS served more than 310,000 hot meals during its first two years at the DCSC.
6,680 ADULTS3,370 FAMILIES 1,367 CHILDREN
> 310,000 HOT MEALS
Voluntary Assessments
Library
PIAC
Ratepayers64%
18%
11%
7%
Payroll
Operating Expenses
Contracts
68%
20%
12%
REVENUE
Voluntary Assessments
Library
PIAC
Ratepayers64%
18%
11%
7%
Payroll
Operating Expenses
Contracts
68%
20%
12%EXPENSES
BUDGETS DCID 2012-2013
GREENING IT UP - PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
• CPR & first aid certification• Harassment & workplace violence awareness certification• Certified Tourism Ambassador recertification• BikeShareKC orientation• Graffiti removal education• Law enforcement education by KCPD• Suspect identification and incident reporting by KCPD• Bloodborne pathogen handling certification