Civic Affairs
Airline History Museum Hits Turbulence with Landlord
By Kevin Collison The Airline History Museum, an attraction at the Wheeler Downtown Airport for 35 years, is fighting to prevent its collection of classic airplanes from being evicted by the private operator of the city-owned facility. The non-profit’s dispute is with Signature Flight Support, which holds the master lease with the city on several…
‘Bumblebees’ En Route to Riverfront
By Kevin Collison The familiar “bumblebees” who provide downtown security and maintenance are expanding their range to the riverfront in response to the area’s growing number of residents and visitors. Port KC and the Downtown Community Improvement District announced a contract last week to enlist the CID’s Ambassadors to help patrol and maintain the Town…
Troost Village Concept Would Transform Heart of Historic Commercial District
By Kevin Collison A $162 million redevelopment concept that would energize the historic commercial heart of Troost Avenue by adding apartments, retail, office and an amphitheater is being pursued by Midtown Development Partners. Tim Bowman, the partnership leader, envisions capitalizing on the art deco character of the historic buildings fronting the east side of Troost…
Equity Vs ‘Closed for Business,’ City Tax Incentive Debate Continues
(Updated Feb. 25, 2021: The City Council approved the changes in tax incentive policy proposed by Councilwomen Robinson and Parks-Shaw. It added exemptions for projects that are located in high-frequency transit corridors; projects that meet the city affordable housing set aside ordinance; Projects located in severely-distressed Census tracts; projects that generate at least 100 entry-level…
Historic Attucks School to Become Major Art Center at 18th & Vine
By Kevin Collison The resurrection of the historic Attucks School as a major art center at the 18th & Vine Jazz District is moving forward, three years after the city awarded redevelopment rights to the Zhou brothers, renowned international artists based in Chicago. The planned Zhou B. Art Center of Kansas City is slated for…