Political, economic, and cultural revival in Kansas City, Kansas

The fortunes of Kansas City, Kansas, have turned dramatically in the past fifteen years. The community had been shunned for much of its history by people and businesses from the larger metropolitan area because of cultural isolation and political corruption. This image changed in the mid 1990s when the city and county governments consolidated, ending the city's political machine and giving the county a united voice in seeking economic development. Soon after consolidation, the new Unified Government recruited the Kansas Speedway as well as related dining and entertainment venues. This development, arguably the largest in the entire metropolitan area since the early 1970s, has significantly changed perceptions of the city and county. This thesis explores how these developments took place and how the area has changed economically and culturally. It also compares Kansas City, Kansas, to other communities that have undertaken similar reforms and/or economic development.