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 Kansas City City Hall and the Kansas City branch of the Jackson County Courthouse. The plan was championed by most local politicians including Thomas Pendergast and provided Pendergast with many patronage opportunities during the Great Depression.[3]
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 streamline moderne architecture was designed by the lead architectural firm of Alonzo H. Gentry, Voskamp & Neville. Gentry later completed the design of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum after the death of the original architect, Edward F. Neild. Homer F. Neville was the lead designer for Municipal Auditorium.[3]
Hoit, Price & Barnes, the associated architects were responsible for the design of the mechanical work (HVAC, electrical, plumbing). William L. Cassell directed that design effort.[4] Cassell went on to start his own firm in 1933 which is still in business as W. L. Cassell & Associates, Inc.[5]
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 H. Roe Bartle Convention Center via skywalks over 14th and Central streets. An underground walkway through a public parking garage provides access to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, and the Holiday Inn Aladdin Hotel.
The architecture team for Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium. (L to R) William L. Cassell, Edwin M. Price, Homer F. Neville, Henry F. Hoit, Alonzo H. Gentry, Alfred E. Barnes. November, 1935. Folder 6; Alfred Edward Barnes (1892–1960)
Arena
The Arena, nicknamed "Municipal", has hosted the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tournament annually, each March since 2003. When Kansas City hosts the Big 12 Conference tournament, women's games take place here. It is currently home to the NAIA Men's Division I Basketball National Tournament. It was played here from 1937 to 1974, when it moved into Kemper Arena, and has been home since the Tournament moved back to Kansas City from Tulsa in 2002.
The arena hosted three of the first four Final Fours, and hosted its last NCAA tournament game in 1964.[9] In 2013, the University of Dayton Arena passed Municipal Auditorium in number of games hosted as that arena hosts the opening round games of the NCAA tournament.
The 19,500-seat Kemper Arena was built in 1974 to accommodate Kansas City's professional basketball teams that had been playing at the Auditorium. The Kansas City Kings (known at the time as the Kansas City-Omaha Kings) played their first two seasons at the Auditorium, then returned for the majority of the 1979–80 season after the roof of Kemper Arena caved in on June 4, 1979.
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 proscenium theatre with a striking Streamline Modern interior that seats an audience of 2,400 patrons. The hall presents touring Broadway shows, as well as visiting symphony orchestras, opera and ballet companies, and other events. It was the main hall of the Kansas City Philharmonic for several decades. It's also the home of the 1927 Robert-Morton Theatre Pipe Organ that originally was in the Midland Theatre. The organ is owned and maintained by Kansas City Theatre Pipe Organ, Inc.[11]
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
An example of the Art Deco details found throughout Municipal Auditorium.
Foyer of Little Theatre.
Art deco chandelier in Music Hall.
Wall decoration in Little Theatre.
Monumental Art Deco medallion on the front of Municipal Auditorium.
^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 April 16, 2022.
^ abcGray, Meghan L. (2013). Forgotten Landmark: The Municipal Auditorium of Kansas City, Missouri (M. Arts thesis). University of Missouri-Kansas City.
^ abMitchell, 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.
^Reddig, William M. (1947). Tom's Town, Kansas City and the Pendergast Legend. J. B. Lippincott Company. ISBN978-0826204981.
^. Kansas City Times. February 7, 1967. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
^Kidder, G.E. Smith (June 1, 2000). Source Book of American Architecture. New York City: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 381. ISBN978-1568980249.
^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.
January 20, 2023
municipal, auditorium, kansas, city, missouri, municipal, auditorium, multi, purpose, facility, located, kansas, city, missouri, opened, 1935, features, streamline, moderne, deco, architecture, architectural, details, municipal, auditoriumlocation301, west, 13. 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 Municipal AuditoriumLocation301 West 13th Street Kansas City MissouriCoordinates39 05 54 N 94 35 11 W 39 098353 N 94 586416 W 39 098353 94 586416 Coordinates 39 05 54 N 94 35 11 W 39 098353 N 94 586416 W 39 098353 94 586416OwnerCity of Kansas City MissouriOperatorKansas City Missouri Convention and Entertainment FacilitiesCapacityArena 7 300 permanent 2 687 temporary 2 ConstructionOpened1935Renovated2007 2013Construction cost 6 5 million 128 million in 2021 dollars 1 ArchitectGentry Voskamp amp NevilleHoit Price amp BarnesBuilderSwenson Construction CompanyTenantsKansas City Steers ABL 1961 1962 Kansas City Omaha Kings NBA 1972 1974 Kansas City Sizzlers CBA 1985 1986 Kansas City Roos NCAA 1986 2010 2012 present Kansas City Attack NPSL 1991 1992 Kansas City Roller Warriors WFTDA 2009 2015 Kansas City Tornados NAPB 2018 Contents 1 Background 2 Arena 3 Music Hall 4 Little Theatre 5 Gallery 6 Sports succession history 7 See also 8 ReferencesBackground EditMunicipal 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 Kansas City City Hall and the Kansas City branch of the Jackson County Courthouse The plan was championed by most local politicians including Thomas Pendergast and provided Pendergast with many patronage opportunities during the Great Depression 3 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 streamline moderne architecture was designed by the lead architectural firm of Alonzo H Gentry Voskamp amp Neville Gentry later completed the design of the Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum after the death of the original architect Edward F Neild Homer F Neville was the lead designer for Municipal Auditorium 3 Hoit Price amp Barnes the associated architects were responsible for the design of the mechanical work HVAC electrical plumbing William L Cassell directed that design effort 4 Cassell went on to start his own firm in 1933 which is still in business as W L Cassell amp Associates Inc 5 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 amp Neville and the firm of Hoit Price amp 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 amp 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 H Roe Bartle Convention Center via skywalks over 14th and Central streets An underground walkway through a public parking garage provides access to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown and the Holiday Inn Aladdin Hotel The architecture team for Kansas City s Municipal Auditorium L to R William L Cassell Edwin M Price Homer F Neville Henry F Hoit Alonzo H Gentry Alfred E Barnes November 1935 Folder 6 Alfred Edward Barnes 1892 1960 Arena EditThe Arena nicknamed Municipal has hosted the Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association tournament annually each March since 2003 When Kansas City hosts the Big 12 Conference tournament women s games take place here It is currently home to the NAIA Men s Division I Basketball National Tournament It was played here from 1937 to 1974 when it moved into Kemper Arena and has been home since the Tournament moved back to Kansas City from Tulsa in 2002 The arena hosted three of the first four Final Fours and hosted its last NCAA tournament game in 1964 9 In 2013 the University of Dayton Arena passed Municipal Auditorium in number of games hosted as that arena hosts the opening round games of the NCAA tournament The 19 500 seat Kemper Arena was built in 1974 to accommodate Kansas City s professional basketball teams that had been playing at the Auditorium The Kansas City Kings known at the time as the Kansas City Omaha Kings played their first two seasons at the Auditorium then returned for the majority of the 1979 80 season after the roof of Kemper Arena caved in on June 4 1979 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 EditThe Kansas City Music Hall is a large proscenium theatre with a striking Streamline Modern interior that seats an audience of 2 400 patrons The hall presents touring Broadway shows as well as visiting symphony orchestras opera and ballet companies and other events It was the main hall of the Kansas City Philharmonic for several decades It s also the home of the 1927 Robert Morton Theatre Pipe Organ that originally was in the Midland Theatre The organ is owned and maintained by Kansas City Theatre Pipe Organ Inc 11 Little Theatre EditThe 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 Edit An example of the Art Deco details found throughout Municipal Auditorium Foyer ofLittle Theatre Art deco chandelier in Music Hall Wall decoration inLittle Theatre Monumental Art Deco medallion on the front of Municipal Auditorium Sports succession history EditEvents and tenantsPreceded byCincinnati Gardens Home of theKansas City Omaha Kings with Omaha Civic Auditorium 1972 1974 Succeeded byKemper ArenaPreceded byPatten GymnasiumHec Edmundson PavilionMcGaw HallCow PalaceFreedom Hall NCAA Division I Men s Basketball TournamentFinals Venue1940 1942 1953 1955 1957 1961 1964 Succeeded byMadison Square GardenMcGaw HallFreedom HallFreedom HallMemorial ColiseumSee also EditList of NCAA Division I basketball arenasReferences Edit 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 April 16 2022 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 amp Associates Mechanical and Electrical Engineers PDF Retrieved 25 January 2016 Reddig William M 1947 Tom s Town Kansas City and the Pendergast Legend J B Lippincott Company 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 Kidder G E Smith June 1 2000 Source Book of American Architecture New York City Princeton Architectural Press p 381 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Municipal Auditorium Kansas City Missouri amp oldid 1112020658, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
