KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Businesses in the tourism industry, including hotels and museums, are beginning to reopen and hope visitors will return after several months of shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the 18th and Vine District announced plans to reopen next week with restrictions in place.
NLBM President Bob Kendrick said he can't wait to see people enjoy the museum's history once again.
"As we say in baseball, it is our opening day or, in this case, reopening day," Kendrick said. "It's just going to be great to have life back in the museum."
Kendrick said the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the adjacent American Jazz Museum will ask guests to purchase tickets and reserve time slots online.
The museum also will modify its hours, which it will be split into two sessions from Tuesday through Saturday with only one session on Sundays. Workers will disinfect the museum before, between and after each session.
Kendrick said one of the biggest changes visitors will encounter is that the Grandstand Theater will remain closed for now.
He also said the pandemic halted some of the Museum's plans to mark its 30th anniversary and the centennial of the Negro Leagues' founding here in Kansas City.
"We're certainly very proud of what we've accomplished over 30 years now," Kendrick said. "We've got so much more work to be done, and so we're still trying to figure out all of the things that we're going to move into 2021. Most of the big events will take place in 2021."
Kendrick also serves on the Visit KC Board of Directors. He said a lot rides on the tourism industry, which makes it crucial to find a way to get people out and about.
"We don't think the people coming from outside Missouri is going to be as significant as it would typically, so we've got to get people who live within the state mobilized and feeling confident about taking day trips," Kendrick said. "It's so rare that we become a tourist in our own backyard. Now's a great time to do so."
Kendrick said visitors can expect a few new exhibits at the museum this year, which include the "Breaking Barriers" exhibit that showcases players who broke color barriers for various major league teams.
The Crossroads Hotel recently reopened to the public. It opened its guests rooms Thursday and will open its rooftop restaurant Friday evening. Guests should call ahead and book a reservation.
General Manager Jeff Conrade said the hotel is taking a lot of steps to keep guests safe.
"We're increasing public-area cleanliness, increasing what we're doing in high-touch areas," he said. "Everyone is wearing masks on the service team. We have hand sanitizer throughout the building. Every employee that comes into the building will have a health screening."
Colorado Springs resident Judy Aker traveled to Kansas City for work Friday. She said she appreciated the steps the Crossroads Hotel staff has taken.
"They've put out a lot of communication about everything they're doing, so I'm trusting in their word," Aker said.
