News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Developer Tackles Historic Building for $120M Affordable Housing Project
Developer Jonathan Arnold wants to convert the historic National Cloak and Suit Co. building at 5401 Independence Ave. into 352 apartments at an estimated cost of $120 million.
Climate Change Highlights Value of 19th Century Plan for ‘A City Within a Park’
Civic, government and nonprofit leaders are evoking 19th century planner George Kessler’s “city within a park” concept to help address the effects of climate change in Kansas City.
Lux Living Riverfront Project in ‘Limbo’ After Port KC Board Balks at Vote
By Kevin Collison A $56 million riverfront apartment proposal that would have been the first to meet the city’s affordable housing goal is now in “limbo” after the Port KC board failed to vote on it Monday. The plan by Lux Living of St. Louis for a 250-unit apartment development was seeking a 25 year…
Will Climate Change Prevent Me from Being a Parent? Millennials, Gen Z Question Adding More Children to the Earth
Climate anxiety is prompting growing numbers of people to seriously question whether to bring more children into the world.
curiousKC | Your Questions on KC’s LGBTQ+ Community — Past and Present — Are Welcome
This month, Flatland focuses on Pride in Kansas City. What questions do you have about inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA community in and around KC? Write in.
Legislature Approves $40M for Latest UMKC Hospital Hill Project
By Kevin Collison UMKC is pursuing an $100 million healthcare education building at Hospital Hill, the latest proposed investment in an area of greater downtown that’s attracted more than a half billion dollars in new construction in recent years. Last week, the Missouri General Assembly authorized $40 million for a proposed building that would house…
Nick’s Picks | Kansas Congressional Map Goes Before Kansas Supreme Court
The fight over congressional maps moves to the Kansas Supreme Court today. It’s at the top of this week’s news in Kansas City.
A (Shade) Tree Grows in Crossroads
By Kevin Collison The Crossroads Community Association wants to grow its way out of being downtown’s hottest neighborhood–literally–by planting dozens of street trees to provide more shade. “The goal is to make a meaningful dent in the tree canopy coverage in the near term,” said David Johnson, a CCA board member. “We plan to fill…
Entertainment Plan for West Bottoms Railroad Bridge Picks Up Steam
By Kevin Collison Michael Zeller’s quest to convert an old West Bottoms railroad bridge into an entertainment district over the Kaw River is picking up steam, with construction plans now in place and backing from key local philanthropic foundations. “I think it’s going very well and the prospects are good, that’s why I’m interested,” said…
Entertainment Plan for West Bottoms Railroad Bridge Picks Up Steam
Michael Zeller’s quest to convert an old West Bottoms railroad bridge into an entertainment district over the Kaw River is picking up steam, with construction plans now in place and backing from key local philanthropic foundations.