News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Ambitious Plan to Revive Historic Troost Business District Proposed
By Kevin Collison A stretch of buildings in the heart of the historic Troost commercial district would be transformed into offices, retail space and a museum under a plan being pursued by development group that includes civic leader E. Frank Ellis. Ellis, past chairman and founder of Swope Community Enterprises, along with Tim Bowman of…
Midland Project Wins Incentive Approval, Work Starts Early 2020
By Kevin Collison Work is expected to begin early next year on redeveloping the historic Midland office building into 117 affordable apartments following approval of tax incentives Thursday. The Planned Industrial Expansion Authority approved a 25-year property tax abatement to help finance the $24.3 million renovation plan for what’s called The Saxon at The Midland…
United Inner City Services Hope Murals Bring Attention to the Rector House
Empty houses are still full of stories. The Rector House sits at 2000 E. 12th St., a two-story brick home with bright swirls of paint on plywood nailed across the windows and doors. The century-old house built for Sarah Rector, once called the “richest Black girl in America,” has been abandoned for nearly a decade….
Streetcar Grille & Tavern Opening at 16th and Main This Summer
By Kevin Collison Kurt Oliver believes his new Streetcar Grille & Tavern expected to open this July at 16th and Main will have more than straphangers delivered to his door. “That corner has curb appeal,” he said. “We’re across from the northbound streetcar stop, a couple blocks from the Kauffman Center, close to hotels and…
PT’s Coffee Opening Second Downtown Shop
By Kevin Collison PT’s Coffee is opening a second downtown outlet on the street level of the Power & Light Apartments next month, the first commercial tenant in the development’s retail space along Baltimore Avenue. The Topeka-based coffee house enterprise opened its first downtown outlet several years ago when it moved into the former Coffee…
Neighborhood Champion: Mark Morales
They do it for no pay and little fanfare. Who are they? They are the neighborhood leaders who fight to improve some of the most distressed neighborhoods on the East Side of Kansas City, Missouri. These are the men and women who advocate for better housing, less crime, and more economic opportunity. Through its coverage…
New KC Streetcar Rolls Into Town, Ridership Breaks 6 Million
By Kevin Collison The Kansas City Streetcar Authority got a belated present for its third birthday Monday morning, a shiny new vehicle fresh from Spain to add to its existing fleet of four. The new streetcar, dubbed #805, arrived at Third and Grand by flatbed truck after leaving port near Houston Friday morning. It was…
Downtown Open Returns, Fun Chance to Hit Golf Balls Off Tall Buildings
By Kevin Collison The new streetcar has been a vehicle for a lot of things–downtown commuting, spurring development and drawing weekend tourists–but a golf cart? That’s the plan for this Saturday when the Downtown Open organized by KC Crew returns for a fourth year. Participants will start at the event’s Washington Square Park “clubhouse” and…
Midland Affordable Renovation Plan Features Micro-Apartments
By Kevin Collison The Cordish Co. has submitted its plan to redevelop the historic Midland office building into affordable housing, partly by offering some of the more “micro” apartments to date in downtown, as small as 315 square feet. The $24.3 million renovation plan for the 12-story vacant office building at 1221 Baltimore is scheduled…
Carvana Opens Car-Shuffling Glass Tower Off Southwest Boulevard
Southwest Boulevard on downtown’s Westside is known for its funky blend of great Mexican restaurants, Boulevard Brewery, the Roasterie and now, for something completely different, an eight-story glass “car vending machine.” Carvana is opening its 18th car-vending machine in the country at 1700 W. 29th St. off the Boulevard and its definitely a new, if…