Housing
Flatland covers stories about affordable housing, evictions and tenant rights in the Kansas City metro and surrounding area.
Historic Westport High School Would Become Apartments Under New Plan
The developers who renovated the former Westport Middle School into co-working space now are tackling the historic high school across the street, proposing a $45 million apartment redevelopment.
KC a National Leader Converting Old Buildings to Apartments
By Kevin Collison Kansas City ranks among the top 10 cities in the country when it comes to converting older buildings to apartments, the large majority of them downtown office towers, according to a new report by RENTCafé. The report by the national real estate research firm found 43 buildings in Kanas City have been…
Developers Pursuing Big Residential Projects at 18th & Vine District
By Kevin Collison Private developers are pursuing two major residential and retail projects in the 18th & Vine District that would revitalize an approximately two-block section on the west side of the historic neighborhood. A local development group, 1900 Vine Street LLC, that includes Kelvin Simmons, a former Kansas City Councilman and state economic director,…
Key State Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program Poised for Revival
(Editor’s note, the Missouri Housing Development Commission voted to restore funding for the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit program on Sept. 25) By Kevin Collison A state incentive program that was considered a vital tool to help build affordable housing in downtown Kansas City and around Missouri before being defunded in 2017 by former…
Big Redevelopment Plan in Works for Historic KC Armory on Main Street
(Editor’s note: CityScene KC is taking a little time off to recharge its batteries in the Black Hills. Following the recent FTA decision to fund the planned extension of the streetcar from downtown to UMKC, the next few days will feature previous stories about the plans and ideas already set in motion along Main Street in…
Eviction Risks Surging With COVID-19, Rising Rents
The risk of eviction for many Kansas Citians is rising as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, joblessness surges and rents keep rising.
Covid Scuttles Riverfront Mid-Rise Apartment Concept
A big mixed-use project contemplated for the downtown riverfront that would have included two, 10-story apartment buildings has been shelved, at least for now, an apparent victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. An undisclosed local developer had been considering what would have been a project that included apartments, office and retail on a 2.6-acre site near…
Think J.C. Nichols Was Racist? Meet Kroh Brothers
Developer J.C. Nichols has been vilified for his use of racially restrictive housing covenants in subdivisions. But he was hardly alone.
Lawrence Homeless Shelter Wants to Build a Village of Tiny Homes
To curb COVID-19 infections among the homeless population, a Lawrence-based shelter and KU professor step up to fill the gap.
LAMP Shines a Light in Ivanhoe Neighborhood
Linwood Area Ministry Place (LAMP), a campus of community services at Linwood Boulevard and Bruce R. Watkins Drive, is nearing completion of a new apartment complex.