KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Mayans had it wrong. 2012 wasn’t the end for Kansas City or anywhere else. In fact, it was pretty good year for the metro and FOX 4 wants to remind you of some of the good stories and developments that took place.
It’s hard not to lead off with the summer classic. The 2012 baseball All-Star game at Kauffman Stadium was a swinging success by any measurement. The game gave Kansas City national exposure and nearly 60 million dollars in economic impact.
Sports provided good news on the college level, too. Did anyone really think the KU men’s basketball team would reach the national championship game in April after losing 6 of it’s top 8 scorers? They might’ve lost to Kentucky, but this year second place was still terrific.
This year’s Kansas State football team has been a pleasant surprise, too. The Wildcats are Fiesta Bowl-bound with quarterback Colin Klein. The Senior quarterback was a finalist for the Heisman award and he made the cover of Sports Illustrated.
There was high tech excitement, thanks to Google Fiber. The internet giant started signing up it’s first customers for what promises to be the fastest home computer connections in America.
The University of Kansas Medical Center captured a huge achievement. The medical school received it’s long sought National Cancer Institute Designation. That should open the doors to millions of dollars in federal grants and private donations for advanced cancer research.
In the city’s historic jazz district, the Black Archives of Mid-America reopened after closing six years earlier because of financial trouble. The new museum highlights African American culture in the development of Kansas City.
The West Edge development eyesore near the Country Club Plaza got a new name, “Plaza Vista” and a law firm willing to commit to the building as it’s major tenant when the ten story tower is complete next year.
Shoppers can rejoice! Swedish furniture maker IKEA announced plans to build it’s next mega-store in Meriam, Kan.
In Overland Park, the Prairie Fire development won approval to build a shopping center anchored by traveling exhibits from the American Museum of Natural History.
The Hollywood Casino opened it’s doors near the Legends in Kansas City, Kan. It’s the fifth casino in the metro and the first major one on the Kansas side.
Other new attractions include the Sea Life Aquarium, with 5,000 underwater creatures. Legoland opened next door, giving Crown center a one-two punch of family fun.
Finally, Union Station celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Titanic with a record-setting exhibition that had to be extended. Plus Union Station, signed two more tenants making the building 100 percent leased for the first time in recent memory.