Council Touts KC Location to USDA Employees
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June 26, 2019
USDA NIFA-ERS Employees --
I look forward to welcoming you to Kansas City. In July of 2000, we sold our home near the West Falls Church metro stop in the Virginia suburbs and moved to Kansas City. It has been a wonderful adventure.
Let me share a few things you will find if you choose to make this transition.
Your housing dollar will buy you a lot more in Kansas City and its suburbs. In fact, you may likely be in the position to put some of the difference in the bank or add to your youngster’s college fund. And, even on a bad day, most commuters never spend more than 30 minutes traveling to and from their office.
The KC metro region has many nice neighborhoods with great diversity, people, activities, housing styles, and more.
Our public schools in the suburban neighborhoods are among the best you will find anywhere.
Downtown Kansas City is enjoying a huge renaissance. Young people in particular are flocking to the downtown area to live. And, all ages are enjoying The Power & Light District -- developed by the Cordish Company, the same folks who re-developed Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Entertainment areas are not limited to the downtown. A little further south, in the mid-town area there is Crown Center, Union Station, and Martini Corner. I live in an old neighborhood within walking distance of Martini Corner.
Even further south is The Plaza. It is our version of Rodeo Drive with trendy shopping and upscale restaurants.
And then there are Westport, Brookside, and Fairway, and many other neighborhoods with their own style and flare for entertainment, shopping, dining and more. There are many, many good choices.
Colleges and Universities – Kansas City is located within 300 miles of 13 different Land-Grant Universities. And three hours or less from the University of Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Thinking of the arts, we have that, too. The Nelson-Atkins Museumof Art is known for its neoclassical architecture and extensive collection of Asian art. (Wikipedia) Many of us think the new Kauffman Center for the Preforming Arts rivals the Kennedy Center as a venue.
Professional sports here are fun to follow. We have great aspirations for Patrick Mahomes and The Chiefs. The MLS Sporting Kansas City Club is fun to watch. And we know the Royals will regain their World Series form. A bit of Kansas City Royals trivia – the Royals are named after The American Royal Livestock and Horse Show, a 120-year old Midwest icon. The American Royal is also home to the world’s largest barbecue competition.
Did someone say barbecue? Well, we have it in Kansas City. Over 100 joints – yes, authentic barbecue is served in “joints.” It is the best barbecue in the nation with styles and flavors for every taste.
While I am thinking food and drink, we seem to have a new brewery opening every weekend. And the distilling scene is pretty cool, too. Stop at Tom’s Town Distillery on your next trip. For music, well Knuckleheads Saloon by the railroad tracks is where a lot of name acts stop.
Those are a few highlights. There are many others I could list.
In looking back on our transition from The Nation’s Capitol area, there is one thing I do miss -- Maryland-style crab cakes are more difficult to find here. You can find them – The Bristol comes to mind – but not as easily.
We realize a re-location of this nature can be disruptive to families. We hope you will choose to give Kansas City a chance as your future home. I believe you will come to enjoy the area and all it has to offer as much as my family and me. Please know there is a vibrant agriculture community here that looks forward to welcoming you.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Bob Petersen
Executive Director