Kansas City Might Take Over Cash-Strapped Jazz Museum

KANSAS CITY, MO — The financially troubled American Jazz Museum might be taken over by the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. An ordinance introduced Thursday asks officials to study transferring the museum to the city by next spring, The Kansas City Star reported.

The measure, introduced by council members Jermaine Reed and Scott Wagner, includes $225,000 to help the museum meet payroll. The 20-year-old museum — located in the historic 18th and Vine district — operates in a city-owned building but under an independent board. The institution has been unable to raise enough money to stand on its own.

The museum has already spent its yearly city subsidy for the fiscal year that ends next April, Wagner said.

Reed sent a letter this week to city and museum officials outlining a proposal to move the museum, the Blue Room jazz club and the Gem Theater to the Parks Department. He said the city has an obligation to safeguard its assets.

"It is clear business as usual will not suffice," Reed said. "The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners has a long history of full collaboration with neighborhood groups and business leaders in managing certain city-owned assets and tourist sites such as the Kansas City Zoo, the Liberty Memorial, Starlight Theatre and the Kansas City Museum."

The museum's financial difficulties became apparent earlier this year when performers from a May jazz festival realized their checks from the museum had bounced. The performers were owed $150,000 at one point.

"They have issues of sustainability and economy. It can't be ignored anymore," Wagner said.

City Manager Troy Schulte said there are no legal obstacles to a city takeover of the museum.

Read the full article on The Kansas City Star

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