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Constitution Hall, Jayhawk Theater and Evergy Plaza give construction and event updates to TGT committee
Summary
Recipients receiving Transient Guest Tax funds reported progress: Constitution Hall restoration expects a summer opening, Jayhawk Theater construction is on schedule and using $5 million in Sprint funds, and Evergy Plaza reported a profitable 2024 and fourth-quarter event highlights.
Representatives from Constitution Hall, Jayhawk Theater and Evergy Plaza updated the TGT committee on March 6 about restoration, construction and recent programming.
Constitution Hall: Greg Glenn (on-screen) said restoration work is largely complete inside and that the building should open to the public this summer if finances are in order. Glenn said exterior work, including sidewalk concrete, must await warmer weather. He described the building as one of the city’s oldest commercial buildings and noted it has received a National Park Service Save America’s Treasures award.
Jayhawk Theater: Mark McAllister, treasurer of the Jayhawk Theater board, said construction remains on schedule and that the Sprint-funded allocation of $5 million will be fully spent by month’s end on core infrastructure: foundation restoration, waterproofing, interior demolition, masonry and property acquisition. McAllister said the project has used most Sprint funds for construction or adjacent property acquisition and that the next major costs include structural steel (more than $3,000,000) and an elevator/ADA work (about $1,200,000). He said the project expects to complete critical infrastructure and reopen in time to celebrate the theater’s centennial in 2026. McAllister added that even modest historic-theater event schedules can materially increase downtown foot traffic and tourism revenue.
Evergy Plaza: Josh Durham, director with Evergy Plaza, recapped a successful fourth quarter highlighted by a kickoff event for Thunder Over the Heartland, an expanded holiday lighting package, the mayor’s tree-lighting in collaboration with Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade, trunk-or-treat and other community events. Durham said Evergy Plaza finished 2024 “in the black” for the first time since opening and that finances are healthy heading into 2025.
Ending: Recipients said they would continue to coordinate with staff and the committee on final budgets and event plans; Jayhawk invited committee members to a March 10 VIP legislative reception and indicated a broad community celebration is planned for the theatre reopening.
