KCATA To Host 2nd State of the KCATA Event at Children’s Mercy Park: Transportation, Area Development & World Cup Discussed

(Kansas City, Mo., March 10, 2025) – On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will host KCATA’s second State of the KCATA Community Report. It is the goal of the KCATA to share with stakeholders the vision for public transportation in the region and highlight successes and challenges. KCATA is pleased to announce that the 2025 event will be held in Kansas at Children’s Mercy Park from 3-5:30 p.m. at 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111.

“It is an honor to work with so many great individuals and organizations who are dedicated to building a more integrated transportation system throughout our great region,” said Frank White III, KCATA president & CEO. “The State of the KCATA will present our successes and challenges.  We’ll illustrate that by working together we can fulfill transit’s promise to provide access to opportunities to all and to be an engine for economic prosperity.”

KCATA will be hosting two panels this year, one on Transit Oriented Community Development (TOCD), and the other on the World Cup 2026. The TOCD panel will feature the following experts in Transit-Oriented Development:

• Allison Bergman, Esq., Senior Principal, Hardwick Law Firm
• Brent Miles, Founding Partner & CMO, NorthPoint Development
• Michael Riley, Director of TOCD/TOD, KCATA
• Brien Starner, Director, Community Development & Real Estate, KCATA

Since Kansas City will be one of the 16 cities hosting the world’s largest sporting event in less than 500 days, there will be a World Cup 2026 panel to address transportation planning that’s underway.  Panelists will include:

• Frank White III, President & CEO, KCATA
• Justin Meyer, Deputy Director of Aviation-Marketing & Air Service Department, Kansas City, Mo.
• Deasiray Bush, Director, Unified Government Transportation Department
• Josh Powers, Director, Transit Division, Johnson County Public Works & Infrastructure Department
• Tom Gerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority

For the first time at this address, the KCATA will be presenting three awards to salute individuals and organizations making a positive difference for public transportation in the Kansas City region.  Those award recipients are:

• U.S. Congressional Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II and Sharice Davids will receive the Champion of Transit Award
• Chris Goode, owner of Ruby Jean’s Juicery, will receive the Community Partner Award
• Brent Miles, NorthPoint Development, will receive the Business Partner Award.

The first hour of the event will be a networking opportunity for the KCATA board to visit with regional stakeholders. This event is sponsored by AdSposure and Hardwick Law Firm.

RSVP Requested on Eventbrite at:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/state-of-the-kcata-2025-tickets-1249768664719

 The media is invited to interview CEO Frank White III immediately following the event, approximately 5:30pm.

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About KCATA: The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) connects people to opportunities through safe, reliable public transportation. We are a bi-state agency serving and coordinating transit services in seven counties and more than 100 cities across the Kansas City region.

Contact:
Cindy Baker, Senior Director Marketing & Communications
816.510.2874 | cbaker@kcata.org