News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Banksia Blossoms Serving Tasty Aussie Dishes to Hungry Yanks
By Kevin Collison If downtown Kansas City had an award for friendliest new business of the year, Banksia, the new Australian bakehouse & cafe in the former Sasha’s space at 105 W. Ninth St. would be the front-runner. Even a break-in two days before in which his cash drawer was stolen couldn’t dampen the spirits…
3 Things You Should Know About Europe’s Sweeping New Data Privacy Law
The U.S. takes credit for creating the Internet, and the European Union seems determined to govern it. On Friday, a sweeping new directive goes into effect called the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. Taken together, its 99 articles represent the biggest ever change to data privacy laws. The new rules have implications for U.S….
Three Light Incentives Gain Qualified Support from Advisory Board
By Kevin Collison The planned Three Light luxury apartment project got a rough reception from an advisory board reviewing its proposed incentives Wednesday, echoing criticism the deal endured from the Kansas City Council two months ago. Members of the Chapter 353 board narrowly endorsed tax incentives for the 300-unit project planned by the Cordish Co….
Newly-Renamed Hy-Vee Arena on Track for September Completion
By Kevin Collison It’s naming time–again–for the former Kemper Arena, and this time Hy-Vee supermarkets is stamping its brand on the $39 million redevelopment project. The Iowa-based chain, which operates 20 stores in metro Kansas City, is replacing Mosaic Life Care, which had to drop its naming rights agreement for the arena last December after…
Building Housing Crossroad’s Favorites YJ’s, Birdies Sold
By Kevin Collison The red-brick building at the corner of the Crossroad Arts District‘s funkiest retail scene has been sold, leaving unclear the future of its creative collection of tenants including Birdies. But for artist David Ford, whose run YJ’s Snack Bar for 20 years, the sale means good-bye to the whimsical, bohemian Crossroad scene…
Major Redevelopment Plan Includes Historic KC Club, Muehlebach Hotel Buildings
By Kevin Collison A $114 million redevelopment proposal in the heart of downtown that includes renovating the historic former Kansas City Club and Hotel Muehlebach buildings, and erecting a new office and garage project is coming before a city development agency. Platform Ventures is proposing the redevelopment plan, which would involve much of the city…
A Clash of the Way In
Rachel Miskec watches the news each night and worries she’ll see an apartment fire in Kansas City, Kansas. “If something bad happens, I know someone is going to ask us when did you go into [the apartment] last,” said Miskec, the coordinator of the rental license program for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and…
Part-Time Student, Full-Time Homeless
Washington has an invisible problem: College students face homelessness in some of the biggest numbers anywhere. Michael is 19, transgender, and homeless. As a transgender person of color, Michael embodies some of the most sobering data on who is impacted by homelessness. Most estimates put LGBTQ people at less than 7 percent of the population….
MAC Properties Plans $78M Project to Revive Troost/Armour Intersection
By Kevin Collison A bold redevelopment plan that would transform the forlorn intersection of Armour and Troost into a vibrant hub with hundreds of new apartments and small businesses won approval for tax incentives Thursday. The $78 million Armour Corners Project planned by MAC Properties calls for five new buildings that will add 450 apartments…
Bet You Didn’t Know ‘Amazing’ Religious Archive is So Close To KC
You may be surprised to learn that the first King James Version of the Bible, published in 1611, came in “he” and “she” editions. No, one wasn’t for males and one for females. Rather, in the book of Ruth, one translation said “he went into the city” in verse 15 of chapter three, and one…