Civic Affairs
Crossroads Sculptor Offers Healing Idea for Former Confederate Memorial Site
By Kevin Collison Sculptor Spencer Schubert has his works prominently displayed across the region from Manhattan to Jefferson City, and now wants to do something closer to home as a healing gesture for his community. He’s proposing a soaring sculpture of two hands grasping a knotted rope as a sign of unity to replace a…
Downtown Council Names 2017 Urban Heroes, Elects New Chairman
The Downtown Council of Kansas City has elected attorney Nate Orr, a partner at the Spencer Fane law firm, to be its new chairman for the upcoming year. Orr also is co-chair along with outgoing chairwoman Cathy Smith, vice president of corporate planning at Faultless Starch/Bon Ami, of the organization’s upcoming annual luncheon . The…
Downtown Council Picks Hall Family for Annual Phil Kirk Award
The Hall family is being recognized by the Downtown Council for its commitment to downtown Kansas City through Hallmark Cards and Crown Center. The Hall family and Hallmark will be receiving the 2017 J. Phillip Kirk Jr. Award at the Downtown Council’s annual luncheon on Jan. 26. The award honors leaders who’s vision and commitment…
Loews Now Majority Owner of Planned Downtown Convention Hotel, Preliminary Construction Expected to Begin Soon
By Kevin Collison New York-based hotel giant Loews has increased its investment stake to become majority owner of the planned 800-room downtown convention hotel and preliminary construction is expected to begin soon. The expanded role of Loews, which owns and operates 24 hotels in major cities across the U.S. and Canada, was approved this week…
Kansas City Star Owner Scraps Deal to Sell Massive Press Pavilion Overlooking Downtown—for Now
By Kevin Collison The owner of The Kansas City Star has decided not to sell the newspaper’s massive green-glass production plant overlooking downtown after all. McClatchy announced in its third quarter earnings report that it had “terminated” a sale-leaseback agreement for the 434,000 square-foot Press Pavilion with an entity called R2 Capital LLC. The distinctive…