BCCP 4743 Troost Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64110-1727 Ph: 816-523-2991 Fax: 816-523-2281   TOP

In 1994, leaders and CEOs of major organizations within the Brush Creek redevelopment area met to explore what they might do to encourage cooperation and collaboration to develop a world-class cultural and research district surrounded by healthy neighborhoods. Founding members included: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Rockhurst College, Midwest Research Institute, Saint Luke’s Hospital, Health Midwest, Linda Hall, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City Art Institute and Gates Management Corporation. It quickly became clear the issues only could be addressed through an innovative, cooperative effort. They identified schools, church and community leaders and sought their input and involvement to gain grassroots support. Previously Brush Creek Partners existed as a committee of Southtown Council, a 501 (c)(4) nonprofit organization that promotes business in the southern part of Kansas City's urban core. Through the strategic planning process, many participants felt that Brush Creek Partners and the wider urban community would benefit from a new, separate organization with the freedom and flexibility, as well as the responsibility, of achieving its goals independently. Funding issues, legal questions, and different, though complementary, purposes for the two organizations would be resolved with the creation of a 501(c)(3) Brush Creek Community Partners. This group initially saw the sharing of information and enhancement of the identity of the cultural and research districts as its primary objectives. Shortly thereafter, the focus of the organization expanded to include community issues. The vision and mission were reexamined during the strategic planning process. Brush Creek Community Partners sees its existence directly connected to the realization of its vision: A world-class cultural and research district surrounded by healthy neighborhoods. The mission, which ties the vision to the organization's purpose, reads: To develop and support strong neighborhoods and institutional partnerships that lead to a healthy, inclusive community. The mission and vision provide a purpose for the organization, that manifests itself in core functions of the organization. By applying its collective strength in these functions, Brush Creek Community Partners is able to effect change it its targeted area: the six-square-mile district, (39th St. north to 63rd St. south and Elmwood Ave. east to State Line Rd. west) in Kansas City's midtown called the Brush Creek Corridor. Brush Creek Community Partners is focused on promoting the Corridor's highest and best uses through economic development activities, including: promotion of planning and development, plan review, Corridor promotion, conducting Corridor studies and data compilation.