Kauffman Center, 'our nation's newest national treasure,' dedicated ...

By MIKE HENDRICKS

The Kansas City Star

The ribbon was cut Tuesday to dedicate the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Kansas City. Assisting were (from left) Mayor Sly James; Missouri first lady Georganne Nixon; Gov. Jay Nixon; and the Kauffman Center?s board chairwoman, Julia Irene Kauffman.

Kansas City?s new performing arts center is iconic, says Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, as recognizable as the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain.

In short, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is, according to Nixon, ?our nation?s newest national treasure.?

Tuesday was a day for superlatives as dignitaries gathered to dedicate the newest addition to the downtown skyline.

Nixon called it a historic moment. City Councilwoman Jan Marcason said the Kauffman cements Kansas City?s reputation as ?the creative crossroads of our nation.?

But Mayor Sly James kept it simple.

?This is really cool,? he said. ?I mean, seriously.?

It?s practically finished, but not entirely. While VIPs gathered under a tent for the festivities in advance of this weekend?s gala opening, workers in hard hats and orange safety vests raked dirt clods on parts of the south lawn not already carpeted in grass.

The final delivery of sod was on its way.

But it won?t be until mid-October that the signature art piece arrives for the Kauffman?s parking garage, which lies beneath that turf.

?Terpischore for Kansas City? is set to combine music and lighting that will activate as vehicles wind their way to their space.

When finished, it will be ?artistic and welcoming,? said Julia Irene Kauffman, the driving force behind the entire project.

For now, though, it resembles just an ordinary, though spacious, parking garage

All hailed the project as a great example of public-private cooperation. While the $326 million concert hall and performance center were financed through private donations, taxpayers footed the bill for the $47 million garage that will provide parking for the Kauffman Center and the surrounding Crossroads Arts District.

James said the overall project was a testament to the city?s progressive spirit.

?If we can?t be in love with Kansas City now,? he said, ?we?ll never be in love with it.?

To reach Mike Hendricks, call 816-234-4738, or send email to mhendricks@kcstar.com.

Source: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/13/3140993/new-performing-arts-center-has.html

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