WATCHING A CITY'S REBIRTHCIMO installed Webcams to allow Kansas City's people to watch the progress of downtown redevelopment on their computers via the CIMO Web site at www.kcmo.org/cimo. CIMO also supports the Kansas City Area Development Council's efforts to produce a documentary television film, “Mending the Heart of an American City,” which will chronicle for a nationwide audience the story of greater downtown Kansas City's dramatic rebirth.
The world already is watching—and approves. Kansas City and MWH, along with Burns & McDonnell, earned the 2006 U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Public-Private Partnership Award of Excellence. “This prestigious award acknowledges the collaborative efforts of USCM member cities such as Kansas City and private firms such as MWH, working together to enhance the quality of life in communities we serve,” says MWH's Mike McClure, CIMO director.
CIMO's success underscores the importance of public investment in a city's prosperity and shows how a streamlined delivery approach can ensure consistent growth.
“This approach avoids the ‘boom and bust' economy that has plagued municipalities such as Kansas City in the past,” Cauthen says. “The CIMO public-private partnership has transferred professional project delivery knowledge and skills to city staff and brought a new working attitude to city government.”
— Musgrave is MWH's project executive for the Kansas City CIMO.