News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Developer Pitches Plan to Replace Oldest Building on Main with High-Rise
(UPDATED Sept. 20: The City Plan Commission voted 5-1 to endorse landmark status for the 31st and Main properties. The proposed designation now goes to the full City Council for final review.) By Kevin Collison The owner of the historic Jeserich Building at 31st and Main, which the city wants declared a landmark, launched a…
Blue Cross Blue Shield Moves Headquarters Downtown
Announced today, Blue Cross Blue Shield is moving to the once would-be Waddell & Reed building downtown.
Students, Librarians and Bookstore Owners Push Back on Book Bans
In Missouri, a new law has librarians bracing for impact and bookstores providing an outlet to learn about banned books.
Big Waldo Apartment Project Proposed, Revives Streetcar Extension Idea
By Kevin Collison A 300-unit apartment project that would transform the scale and nature of the Waldo entertainment area received preliminary support from a transit-oriented development agency Wednesday. EPC Real Estate Group is cooperating with the Lewellen family, the owner of The Well at 7421 Broadway, on the $90 million plan called Waldo74Broadway. The proposal…
Developer Goes to The Well for Big Waldo Apartment Project
A 300-unit apartment project that would replace The Well restaurant and transform the scale and nature of the Waldo entertainment area received preliminary support from a transit-oriented development agency Wednesday.
Missouri Ponders the Power of the People
Missourians are able to directly effect change on the state by the ballot initiative process.
Missouri Ballot Initiative
What’s the best way to participate in our democracy? The Flatland team explores one of the unique ways Missouri citizens are able to make direct changes to the state constitution known as the ballot initiative. We take a look at the pros and cons of the process that’s intended to get the public’s concerns on…
Manila Bay Sails Into Former Pirate’s Bone Crossroads Space
By Kevin Collison Manila Bay Express, a Filipino restaurant, is opening in the Crossroads space previously occupied by Pirate’s Bone, replacing its former tenant’s all veggie menu with such delicacies as pata, crunchy pork skin enclosing tender meat. Co-owner Brandon Boyd said this will be the second Manila Bay in the metro, the other is…
Just Outside Kansas City, a Giant Solar Farm Project is Pitting Neighbor Against Neighbor
Johnson and Douglas County approved regulations allowing the construction of what would be the largest utility-scale solar farm in Kansas. But while residents say they support green energy, there’s a vocal contingent pushing back against building 2,000 acres of panels so close to their communities.
Delays Grow City Harvest Apartment Tower Cost to $95.6M
By Kevin Collison A 13-story apartment project planned next to the City Market has become significantly more expensive because of inflation after several months of delays caused in part by a hassle with the FAA over its proposed height. The new cost estimate for what’s called City Harvest is $95.6 million, 27.5 percent more than…