Municipal Auditorium (Kansas City, Missouri)

Municipal Auditorium
Location	301 West 13th Street,; Kansas City, Missouri
Coordinates	39°05′54″N 94°35′11″W / 39.098353°N 94.586416°W
Owner	City of Kansas City, Missouri
Operator	Kansas City, Missouri Convention and Entertainment Facilities
Capacity	Arena: 7,300 permanent +2,687 temporary
Construction
Opened	1935
Renovated	2007, 2013
Construction cost	$6.5 million; ($144 million in 2023 dollars)
Architect	Gentry, Voskamp & Neville; Hoit, Price & Barnes
Builder	Swenson Construction Company
Tenants
	Kansas 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); Kansas City Goats (TAL) (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 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.

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.

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 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.

Sports succession history

Events and tenants
Preceded by none	Home of the Kansas City Goats 2024	Succeeded by Current
Preceded by Cincinnati Gardens	Home of the Kansas City-Omaha Kings (with Omaha Civic Auditorium) 1972 – 1974	Succeeded by Kemper Arena
Preceded by Patten Gymnasium Hec Edmundson Pavilion McGaw Hall Cow Palace Freedom Hall	NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Finals Venue 1940 – 1942 1953 – 1955 1957 1961 1964	Succeeded by Madison Square Garden McGaw Hall Freedom Hall Freedom Hall Memorial Coliseum

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.
^ 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.

[inflation-US-1] 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.

[UMKC-2] "Municipal Auditorium". University of Missouri–Kansas City.

[Gray-3] Gray, Meghan L. (2013). Forgotten Landmark: The Municipal Auditorium of Kansas City, Missouri (M. Arts thesis). University of Missouri-Kansas City.

[Mitchell-4] Mitchell, Giles Carroll (1934). There is No Limit: Architecture and Sculpture in Kansas City. Brown-White Company, Kansas City.

[5] "W. L. Cassell & Associates, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers" (PDF). Retrieved 25 January 2016.

[Reddig-6] Reddig, William M. (1947). Tom's Town, Kansas City and the Pendergast Legend. J. B. Lippincott Company. ISBN 978-0826204981.

[7] "Alonzo H. Gentry, Architect, Is Dead". Kansas City Times. February 7, 1967. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2020.

[8] Kidder, G.E. Smith (June 1, 2000). Source Book of American Architecture. New York City: Princeton Architectural Press. p. 381. ISBN 978-1568980249.

[ncaa-9] Official 2007 NCAA Men's Final Four Records Book (PDF). NCAA. January 2007. p. 114. Retrieved 2016-02-02.

[pitch-10] Packham, Chris (January 22, 2009). "Blood on the Rink". The Pitch.

[organ-11] "The Star of Our Show". Kansas City Pipe Organ, Inc. Retrieved 2016-02-02.

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v t e Current venues in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
East region	Abe Stark Rink Shriners Auditorium Class of 1923 Arena D.C. Armory Dorton Arena Du Burns Arena Earls Court Exhibition Centre Greater Richmond Convention Haygood Skating Center Inline Skating Club of America Independence Family Fun Center John F. Kennedy Memorial Coliseum John Jay Doghouse Kennedy Arena Overlook Activities Center Portland Exposition Building Rhode Island Convention Center Rainbow Rink Romp'n Roll Roller Skating Rink Skate Safe America Sports Centre at MCC Le Taz
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North Central region	Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Alliant Energy Center The Bunker Central Ohio Roller Hockey Cincinnati Gardens Dave Andreychuk Arena Detroit Masonic Temple Indiana Farmers Coliseum Indiana Convention Center Midwest Sport Hockey Complex Minneapolis Convention Center Rivertown Sports Roy Wilkins Auditorium Sioux Falls Expo Building Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum Swonder Ice Arena UIC Pavilion UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena Wolstein Center
South Central region	Austin Convention Center Bayou Music Center Fair Park Coliseum Knoxville Civic Coliseum Mid-America Center MidSouth Fairgrounds Municipal Auditorium North Florida Fairgrounds NYTEX Sports Centre Pershing Center Rollercade Starlight Skatium Tennessee State Fairground Sports Arena Tulsa Convention Center UNO Human Performance Center USA Skateplex Von Braun Center Wichita Ice Center Yaarab Shrine Center

v t e Kansas City Roos men's basketball
Venues	Swinney Recreation Center (1969–1986; 2010–2012; 2019–present) Municipal Auditorium (1986–2010; 2012–2019)
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25

v t e University of Missouri–Kansas City
Located in: Kansas City, Missouri
Academics	University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry Henry W. Bloch School of Management L.P. Cookingham Institute of Urban Affairs University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine
Athletics	Kansas City Roos Basketball men women Municipal Auditorium Swinney Recreation Center Durwood Soccer Stadium Summit League
Campus	UMKC Theatre KCUR-FM The Urban Lawyer National Museum of Toys and Miniatures New Letters The University News
People	People
Founded: 1933