News & Issues
Stories from around the Kansas City Metro area on a variety of topics.
Casual Animal Brewing Plans to Join Growing Kansas City Crossroads ‘Neigh-brew-hood’ By End of This Year
By Kevin Collison Kyle Gray and his wife Lara are joining the microbrewery herd in the East Crossroads later this year with Casual Animal Brewing at 1725 McGee St. “We’re pretty excited about what’s developing down there,” Gray said, “and we’re happy to join the revolution and revitalization that’s underway.” The couple are opening in…
Kansas City Streetcar Authority Receives Go Ahead to Order Two New Cars
The Kansas City Streetcar Authority has received the final go ahead to order two additional streetcars that are expected to be delivered in summer 2019. The decision to purchase two more streetcars at a cost of $4.9 million each was endorsed by the Kansas City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Thursday. It comes at a…
Port KC Kicks Off New Marketing Effort for Downtown Kansas City Riverfront
By Kevin Collison The Port Authority of Kansas City is making a renewed effort to promote development on the downtown riverfront, seeking to capitalize on a new 410-unit apartment project going up by Berkley Park and a potential extension of the streetcar to the area. The authority, which refers to itself as Port KC, held…
UMKC to Seek Alternative Funding for Downtown Kansas City Conservatory; Gov. Greitens Vetoes Legislation for Matching State Money
Despite overwhelming support from the Missouri Legislature, Gov. Eric Greitens has vetoed state funding for the proposed $96 million Downtown UMKC Conservatory project. “Today, Governor Eric Greitens vetoed a bill that would have asked Missouri taxpayers to pay for a new building for dancers and art students in Kansas City,” according to a statement released…
New Church of the Resurrection Under Construction in Downtown Kansas City, Opening in Spring 2018
By Kevin Collison Construction has begun on the foundation of the new, $6 million Church of the Resurrection on a parking lot once used by The Kansas City Star, a symbol of both the church’s rapid growth and the burgeoning downtown residential community it serves. The 15,236 square-foot church will accommodate 440 worshipers and is…
United Way Program Propels Students To College, Beyond
Graduating from Park University would’ve been a stretch for a child of immigrants, if not for the United Way of Greater Kansas City. That child, Wendy Medina, 25, of Kansas City, received invaluable financial assistance through United Way’s Launch program. Started six years ago, the cost-sharing program has generated approximately $670,000 for 160 students, including…
Historic New England Building Apartment Redevelopment 40 Percent Leased, Opening Slated For Sept. 1
By Kevin Collison The historic New England building, one of downtown Kansas City’s oldest office structures, has leased 40 percent of its 32 apartments, most of which feature ornate cast-iron fireplaces from the days before central heating. The redevelopment of the 1887 structure at 112 W. Ninth St. is part of a $10 million investment…
Kansas Teens Can Face Bumpy Road As They ‘Age Out’ Of Foster Care System
Aubri Thompson has already had her share of challenges by age 21: She left the foster care system without a designated caregiver, lived without a steady home for more than a year and became a single parent before finishing college. Thompson lived in the Kansas foster care system from age 14, when she was reported…
Union Station Kicks Off New Outdoor Entertainment Venue Backed by Great Downtown Kansas City View
By Kevin Collison Union Station kicked off its new Haverty Family Yards outdoor entertainment venue last weekend with a soulful performance by Anderson East and his band backed by rolling freight trains and a dramatic view of downtown Kansas City. The inaugural show Saturday night attracted about 350 people to the grassy field next to…
Two Major Hotel Projects in Downtown Kansas City Continue Moving Forward in Addition to New Convention Hotel
By Kevin Collison Two major hotel projects continue to move forward in downtown Kansas City, which combined with the planned convention hotel, will add more than 1,200 rooms by early 2020. Last week, New York-based Loews announced it has become a substantial investor in the planned 800-room convention hotel at Wyandotte and 17th Street, and…