KSHB 41 reporter Marlon Martinez covers Platte and Clay counties in Missouri. Share your story idea with Marlon.
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Downtown Platte City looks to get its charm back through a grant the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) awarded the city.
Businesses on Main Street in Platte City were buzzing one day, but that spark has dimmed throughout the years.
"As a community right now, we don’t have a spot; there’s nowhere to go for us," said Laura Lowry, Barely and Vine owner.
Lowry opened Barley and Vine, a craft brewery and wine bar, over two years ago to create a new space for the community.
“It’s that everyday hustle of getting our customers to get down here to come visit us, giving them something that makes them excited to be here and make them come visit us," Lowry said.
But even throughout the years, businesses in downtown Platte City have continued to see less foot traffic than the area once had.
“As the business owner of Barley and Vine, I work really hard with marketing and social media in order to bring foot traffic. Because right now, we don’t have any," Lowry said.
Hope for the area is not all lost, thanks to the Planning Sustainable Grant provided by MARC. The funds are meant to help city leaders create a long-term revitalization plan for downtown.
“The goal is to really talk about revitalizing downtown and what that looks like," said Jamie Kacz, executive director for the Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The grant will allow the city to bring life back to outdated building exteriors, streetscape and any updates the community would like to see.
"We don't want to just do what we want to do. We want to do what the community wants to do," Kacz said. "Platte City is a great community; I couldn’t imagine doing it without their input."
Many small business owners said increased visibility and accessibility would not only help them stay afloat but also grow.
“We are working so hard to bring all of these things down here to bring attention to Platte City, and it feels really nice to know that it’s coming. It’s reassuring," Lowry said.
The city is currently taking feedback from the community. You can visit the city's website to take the survey.
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