Selection show

Lots of people (ku fans) waiting in the live block waiting to hear which #1 seed they will get. Surprised so many are hanging around, its far from warm.

Great final game btw.

Entry time

I have heard some complaints about entry time...I just got in the biggest line in the grand entry (on purpose) and from the time I got in the line, to my seat...13 minutes. I think that is an acceptable time considering the security.

I know people are hanging in the live block as long as possible and expecting to enter at the last second....but given todays security that is simply not realistic.

People have to complain about something I guess.

Championship sunday

Final day of the tournament and the area is still rocking...everybody makes cash when ku stays in it and their cult moves in.....ut is a +6 dog..that seems crazy, I took them straight up.

Weather is cool but dry...not dampening the spirits here.

saturday

The combination of cold, plus ksu losing, plus hung over from last night plus ku fans paying insane amounts for tickets equals me not attending todays session....might go check out the atmosphere later but we all know what its like, its crazy awesome.

Reading stories in other citys newspapers confirms this...kc is the primo site for this event...okc is good, but not to this level....and that is with a half open p&l district.

The people, volunteers, arena, p&l district, makes this THE site for the bball tourney.

More live!

More people out here than in the arena I think. Great atmosphere.

Well ksu lost

At least I get to see a band I couldn't care less about....it I so fing packed

4th session

Finally forced to sit in my seats.....tickets for the upper deck going for 200...silly ku fans

Mass of humanity

This mob puts st. Pats in westport to shame.....so many people...every restaurant we see is busting with at the seams with people. Crazy.......everybody is very well behaved

Road to glory

The road to glory is rockin...live block is overflow capacity.

After party

Jesus live! Is packed....sed had a 5 cover and places were staying packed.

Big 12 do the right thing, keep this tournament here. It makes sense.

Osu girls

For all those oklahoma girl lovers...not a great pic.

Arena filling up quickly..still so many people just milling around outside....either looking for tickets or simply here for the atmosphere.

Day two

Here we go....seems less busy traffic so far......evening session upper decks are going for over 200.

Mu girl

Mu girl is the hit of tengo.....she showed a nice t-back

Postgame 2

Places are busy on the live block but not as full as I expected...I think after people have hung out here all day, they are ready for a change of scenery ....still people are having a blast. Saw some big security issue that caused 5 bike cops to sped somewhere...no idea what that was.

Place is a blast....get down here just to hang out around the games and fans.....ksu game won't be on the big screen as sister hazel will be playing then. Still plenty of tvs to see that game.

Gordon beirsch has great food...now back to my beer....journey is playing.

postgame

And the afterparty of day one is on....

Mu fans

This is sad....nu fans are outnumbering you. No excuses, the arena is in missouri.

Baylor loses

Baylor loses, nobody cares...people flood into the live block. This is awesome.

Live is live

Wow...more people here than in the arena......everybody is in awe of the place from the comments I have heard....loving the big screen

Got to love thursday afternoon session + two schools that bring no fans = me upgrading my seats.

Fence issue fixed

Yeah...fence issue has been fixed. Good work cordish.

First game

Not a bad crowd for 2 south teams playing the kickoff game....probably 50% full right now...people moving in steadily.

Fence pic

This is what I am talking about...see the people coming back?

14th blocked?

First big issue...fence containing the drinking area doesn't allow you to walk by famous daves, etc outside the drinking area and go to the arena. There is a fence at the end forcing everybody to turn around.

Bad design....at least put a sign at teds saying no arena access....anyways.

Parking....

Not an issue....onekc place garage is open, barney allis is open....parking should be fine.

Fan Fest

As Thursday gets started, it's time for fan fest.

I walked through the district yesterday and was greeted by 6' high chain link fence around the Live! block and on the south sidewalk of 14th....so it allows people to walk down that sidewalk into famous dave's, but the street is blocked.

It's done to control access to allow drinking on the streets....it's not very pleasing to the eye.

I'm also interested how they 1) allow drinking during the day and 2) what they do about those under 21.

Do this right Cordish....we are impressing a lot of people here.

This is downtown kcmo?

Wow....downtown kcmo, iowans with kids...looks like a rockwell painting.

Welcome to the new downtown.

Day 2

Definitely getting busier....banners are up

Volunteering is hard

Wow, after my first Big 12 volunteer stint, I am wiped out....I pride myself as knowing as much about downtown as anybody, eating, drinking, etc...but when some couple comes up to you and asks point blank, where is a good place to eat and don't have a type of food, every option downtown rushes through my mind.

Young hip couple wants a trendy good place
older couple just wants a good place to eat
other couple wants someplace close and good

ahhhhhhhh....fun seeing some named people like Tom Osborne and Lew Perkins...I'm not using taken aback by people but when Tom Osborne comes up and wants something, you jump to attention.

Fun time, lots of work, but think I did well overall....hope I gave people a good impression of KC.....and this was the SLOW day?  Yikes.

First isu fan spotted

The tournament truly has begun....first isu fan spotted boarding the max....sorry for the crappy quality, just trust me, its a corn bred iowa state fan

Here comes the host committee

Kickin shirts huh?

Tournament gets started

Sure it's the women's tournament but big 12 week has started.  CU vs. ISU at Municipal.  Can't get down there to take any pictures ...the Big 12 website has a great tournament tracker on their front page.  Check it out:  http://www.big12sports.com/

I think the game is on metrosports but I can't verify that...tickets still available for the women's tournament BTW.


Now just hope the rain holds off for the week.

...and here come the welcome signs

Found at the walkway at the marriott downtown. Huge amounts of propaganda should be making its way up in the next 48 hours

It's almost time

Well let me kick off this blog with background and initial Big 12 tournament thoughts.

I'm just one resident of downtown KC.  I've lived downtown for about 7 years now and have experienced the mass changes (for better and worse) that have happened downtown.

I created this blog to give my thoughts as the Big 12 tournament week goes on downtown....if there is any interest, I plan to continue posting about everyday downtown life, which will hopefully give some insight to those who are unfamiliar with living, working, and playing downtown.  I hope you enjoy it.

Now onto the Big 12:

It's Monday of Big 12 tournament week and you can already feel a buzz in the offices and on the streets dontown.  DCID workers (the yellowjackets) have their Big 12 pins on and finishing touches are being put on downtown about to have it's first major test.

During this week, I plan to blog live if interesting things happen and just get the general feel for the atmosphere.  I will be around the arena for all sessions and helping out at various fan information booths at downtown hotels earlier in the week.

If there are things you'd like me to comment on, let me know through the comments portion of the blog and I'll do my best to respond.

My predictions for this week?
- We will hear parking complaints...some will be warranted.
- The P&L district will have rave reviews from tourists and first time visitors, despite it not being completely open....hardly anyone will notice.
- Baylor will win the women's tournament, Texas will win the Men's (I'm a KSU fan just so you know where I'm coming from)

that's it for now....hope everybody has a chance to come down and experience at least a little of the week, it should be a great time.

Hello World

More coming soon.