“Building a vibrant, safe, & friendly neighborhood for residents by nurturing a sense of community in downtown Kansas City”
…is the mission of our Downtown Neighborhood Association. Whether you are new to Downtown Kansas City or have lived here for years, we invite you to get informed, involved, and connected with the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA). Attend our monthly board and committee meetings, which are open to the public and posted on our events calendar.
Our mission focuses on
cultivating a diverse, inclusive downtown community by connecting residents with one another.
empowering residents with resources and information to become engaged citizens.
Official Boundaries
The official boundaries for the neighborhood are the Missouri River to the north, Highway 9 and I-70 to the east, Highway 670 to the south, and I-35 to the west. These boundaries can be viewed on the map below.
How to Join
Membership to the DNA is free and open to those who live or work in Downtown Kansas City and are interested in building a strong community. Simply provide your contact information and you are in!
Once you sign up, you will receive our periodic newsletter and event emails. We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
What we do
Several issues impact the quality of life downtown. DNA is an advocate for those living downtown. From taking positions on resident-impacting issues to being at the table for important planning meetings and community committees, DNA ensures that the residents of downtown are represented and heard.
DNA is focused on building relationships among neighbors through our meetings and events. Meet other professionals and learn about businesses in our area so that you can work together to strengthen the economics of our neighborhood. Networking with one another and improving social relations build a stronger community.
Through our monthly meetings and our committee work, we improve the political and civic awareness of our neighborhood and strengthen our relationship with City Hall and legislators that represent our interests. We encourage our members to vote and to be informed about the political, civic, and social issues that affect us.
Who We Are
We are your neighbors.
The DNA's board of volunteer residents is elected in November and meets monthly. The 2024 board members are:
President and Finance Chair - Peter Carnesciali
Vice President and Records Management Chair - John Coler
Events Chair - Nick Sumner
Planning and Development Chair - Nick Morris
Membership Chair - Christy Keeling
Sponsorship Chair - Adrián López Jáuregui
Communications Chair - Rachel Pierce
Policy Chair - Justin Short
Volunteer Chair - Aletha Royer
Board Member At-Large - Josh Boehm
DNA Bylaws
The Downtown Neighborhood Association is guided by the rules and regulations written in its bylaws.
History of the Downtown Neighborhood Association
The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) was created in 2004 by downtown resident Brian Pitts. Brian saw a growing downtown residential population in the River Market and Central Business District and realized those areas needed a city-recognized neighborhood association. A number of residents came together and volunteered to serve as board members. As the years passed by, there continued to be significant increases in the downtown residential population. That led to not only a greater sense of community, but also a need for DNA to serve downtown residents on policy and political issues, create opportunities for residents to meet one another in social outings, and work with the growing number of other organizations in greater downtown.
This effort to create a sense of community and to give a voice to the neighborhood is still at the heart of the DNA's mission today.