News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Meshuggah Bagels Rolling Into Downtown Soon
(Editor’s note: Meshuggah’s new downtown location will have its grand opening Aug. 9) By Kevin Collison Meshuggah Bagels is on the verge of opening downtown, almost five months after it’s original target date in March. The popular bagel place, which has been a hit since it opened its first shop at 1208 W. 39th St….
Ambitious $95M Redevelopment Plan for Former KC Star Includes New Marketplace, Underground Parking
By Kevin Collison (Update: The development agreement was approved unanimously by City Council Thursday) A $95 million redevelopment plan for the former Kansas City Star property that includes renovating the historic structure, and building a boutique grocery store and marketplace above a 500-space underground garage has cleared its first hurdle at City Hall. Developer Vincent…
Colorado Developer Plans $37M Hyatt House Hotel at Ninth and Broadway
By Kevin Collison A Colorado developer is planning a $37 million Hyatt House Hotel on a vacant lot at Ninth and Broadway, and in a major departure, the project would be built without parking. Scott Pedersen of Boulder-based Pedersen Development, said guests staying at the proposed 13-story, 153-room hotel would be served with valet parking….
Trump Protesters Take to Downtown Streets
By Kim Mueller Before President Trump’s plane even touched down in Kansas City, Tim Kelly of Raytown sat waiting at 8 a.m. for the streetcar to take him from River Market to the protests downtown. “I called in sick from work to do this,” Kelly explained as he held his cardboard sign saying, “Veterans Resist…
Spokes Serving White Russians and Tacos to ‘Celebrate’ Trump’s Downtown Meltdown
By Kevin Collison Downtown Kansas City is expected to be disrupted mightily by President Trump’s visit to the national VFW Convention today, so the folks at Spokes are making a party out of it. “We’re calling it a “Celebration of America” party,” said owner Dan Walsh. “Our regular business will be significantly slowed down. “Downtown…
Weinberger Fine Art Opens Second Crossroads Space for Smaller Shows
By Kevin Collison One of the Crossroads most respected art galleries, Weinberger Fine Art, has opened a satellite space at 1903 Wyandotte to provide artists an opportunity for more individual exhibitions. “Artists wanted a room where all you see is their work,” said Courtney Wasson, director of Weinberger Fine Art. “It’s another opportunity to show…
West Bottoms Flats Starting Soon, First Major Renovation Project in Historic Warehouse District
By Kevin Collison Construction is expected to begin soon on the $68 million West Bottoms Flats apartment development, the first major renovation project in the downtown warehouse district that fueled Kansas City’s economic growth in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. MCM Company plans to renovate three historic buildings on the north side of…
Historic Norman School Reopens as 61-Unit Apartment Development
By Kevin Collison The historic Norman School, a prominent stone landmark that overlooks Southwest Trafficway as it approaches downtown, has reopened as a 61-unit apartment project following a $14 million renovation. The school started as a two-room wood building in 1901 and was named after the school board president at the time, Joseph Norman. In…
Sympathetic Vibrations | Setting the Record Straight
For many musicians, writing and performing music for the public is a privilege. And though artists rights typically don’t factor into the general perception of being a kick-ass rocker, that doesn’t mean those rights should be ignored. But safeguarding those rights can often be more difficult for female artists. In my time as a practicing…