Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City, Missouri)
) (2024-present) |
Municipal Auditorium is a multi-purpose facility located in Kansas City, Missouri. It opened in 1935 and features Streamline Moderne and Art Deco architecture and architectural details.
Background
Municipal Auditorium was the first building built as part of the "Ten-Year Plan", a bond program that passed by a 4 to 1 margin in 1931. The campaign was run by the Civic Improvement Committee chaired by Conrad H. Mann. Other buildings in the plan included the
Municipal Auditorium replaced Convention Hall which was directly across the street and was torn down for parking to create what is now called the Barney Allis Plaza.
The
Henry F. McElroy, the choice of Tom Pendergast and other Democratic leaders to be City Manager,[6] announced on January 5, 1932, that the architectural services for Municipal Auditorium would be divided between the firm of Gentry, Voskamp & Neville and the firm of Hoit, Price & Barnes.[4] In addition, Gentry's firm would take the lead. The decision was controversial and led to lengthy contract negotiations. Gentry's firm was much smaller, while Hoit, Price & Barnes were known for their work in designing the Kansas City Power and Light Building, an Art Deco skyscraper completed in 1931; the 32-story Fidelity Bank Building at 909 Walnut; Corinthian Hall; and many more Kansas City buildings and residences. Municipal Auditorium, however, was a public project and Gentry, whose father had been a prominent Democratic politician in Independence, was the preference of the Pendergast machine. According to Neville, there was little interference with the building's design.[3]
When the building opened in 1935, the Architectural Record called it "one of the 10 best buildings of the world that year".[7] In 2000, the Princeton Architectural Press called it one of the 500 most important architectural works in the United States.[8]
Municipal Auditorium is connected to the
Arena
The Arena, nicknamed "Municipal", has hosted the
The arena hosted three of the first four Final Fours, and hosted its last NCAA tournament game in 1964.
The 19,500-seat
On November 13, 1979, Darryl Dawkins of the Philadelphia 76ers completely shattered a backboard during a game vs. the Kings with a thunderous slam dunk.
It is home to the University of Missouri–Kansas City Kangaroos basketball team. Since January 2009, it has been the home of the Kansas City Roller Warriors roller derby league.[10]
The 2013 $5 million renovation included new video boards, LED scorer's table, sound system, lighting, electrical upgrades, and lower-level seating.[2]
Music Hall
The Kansas City Music Hall is a large
Little Theatre
The Little Theatre is an elegant octagonal ballroom with a capacity for 400, or banquet seating for 225 available for catered events, and a private balcony room for up to 36 guests.
Gallery
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An example of the Art Deco details found throughout Municipal Auditorium.
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Foyer of
Little Theatre. -
Art deco chandelier in Music Hall.
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Wall decoration in
Little Theatre. -
Monumental Art Deco medallion on the front of Municipal Auditorium.
Sports succession history
Events and tenants | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by none
|
Home of the Kansas City Goats 2024 |
Succeeded by Current
|
Preceded by | Home of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings (with Omaha Civic Auditorium ) 1972 – 1974 |
Succeeded by Kemper Arena |
Preceded by |
Basketball Tournament Finals Venue 1940 – 1942 1953 – 1955 1957 1961 1964 |
Succeeded by Memorial Coliseum |
See also
References
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b "Municipal Auditorium". University of Missouri–Kansas City.
- ^ a b c Gray, Meghan L. (2013). Forgotten Landmark: The Municipal Auditorium of Kansas City, Missouri (M. Arts thesis). University of Missouri-Kansas City.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Giles Carroll (1934). There is No Limit: Architecture and Sculpture in Kansas City. Brown-White Company, Kansas City.
- ^ "W. L. Cassell & Associates, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers" (PDF). Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ISBN 978-0826204981.
- ^ "Alonzo H. Gentry, Architect, Is Dead". Kansas City Times. February 7, 1967. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ISBN 978-1568980249.
- ^ Official 2007 NCAA Men's Final Four Records Book (PDF). NCAA. January 2007. p. 114. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ^ Packham, Chris (January 22, 2009). "Blood on the Rink". The Pitch.
- ^ "The Star of Our Show". Kansas City Pipe Organ, Inc. Retrieved 2016-02-02.