News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Big Apartment Project Proposed Near Plaza at 48th and Belleview
(Updated July 7, 2020. The developer of the proposed Dylan apartment project, Action Pact Design Group, has gone out of contract for the property and the development site is back on the market for sale. Mike Napovanice of Orion Property Group said interest has been expressed by several potential buyers, all of whom would continue…
Big Apartment Project Proposed Near West End of Country Club Plaza
An eight-story apartment project that would replace what’s currently a half-acre stretch of empty lots on the east side of Belleview Avenue has been submitted to the City Plan Commission for review.
Kansas City PBS Hires Two Reporters to Expand News Coverage
Kansas City PBS, in partnership with Report for America, has hired two additional reporters to expand coverage of rural issues and the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Webster House Closing, but Helzberg has No Plans to Walk Away
By Kevin Collison Faced with a pandemic shut-down and the likelihood its important patron, the Kauffman Center, may remain dark until at least fall, Shirley Helzberg had no choice but to close her labor of love, the Webster House, permanently. “The Kauffman Center isn’t opening until at least fall and the symphony and other arts…
College Towns Hit Census Pothole With Coronavirus
College towns in Missouri and Kansas are concerned that early university closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak could lead to a census undercount of students.
An Earth Day Like No Other
Earth Day 2020 was supposed to be the stage of global protests in cities across the globe. But recent stay-at-home orders in the wake of coronavirus pandemic has made the mission of local climate activist group Sunrise Movement KC more difficult.
Crossroads Community Kitchen aka The Rieger Serves Big Helpings
By Kevin Collison There has been a lot of generous community response to the Covid-19 pandemic locally, but it would be hard to top the The Regier when it comes to an industrial-strength outpouring of good will–and free food. Since mid-March, the fine dining restaurant at 1924 Main has transformed itself into the Crossroads Community…
New Chapter Planned for Historic River Market Water Building
By Kevin Collison The historic Water Building in the River Market is slated for another round of renovation after a previous revival went bust in 2013. Developer Chris Sally has a contract to purchase the brick building at the corner of Second and Main streets. It was built in 1905 to house the stable, warehouse…
Nick’s Picks: Shutdown Protests, Earth Day and the NFL Draft
Nick’s picks for the news of the coming week in Kansas City range from stay-at-home order protests to Earth Day and the Kansas City Chiefs’ draft picks.
Three Key Ts: Testing, Tracing and Treatment in a Post-Pandemic Economy
Now is the time to learn from the COVID-19 outbreak or there will be no escaping the worst of the pandemic and economic collapse.