Civic Affairs
Crumbling Barney Allis Plaza Now ‘Hotspot’ for Downtown Problems
By Kevin Collison Less than a month after a consultant urged its immediate closure, the problems at Barney Allis Plaza and its garage continue to worsen as city officials find themselves at loggerheads over its future. At a City Council Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, members were told the former downtown civic centerpiece has gone dark…
Don Bosco Center Reopening in June Following $3.7M Renovation
By Kevin Collison The Don Bosco Center, a social and cultural anchor for the Columbus Park neighborhood of greater downtown since 1940, is nearing completion of a $3.7 million renovation. The 13,00 square-foot facility at 526 Campbell has evolved with its neighborhood, once the home of Kansas City’s Italian-American community. It, along with the other…
Webster House Closing, but Helzberg has No Plans to Walk Away
By Kevin Collison Faced with a pandemic shut-down and the likelihood its important patron, the Kauffman Center, may remain dark until at least fall, Shirley Helzberg had no choice but to close her labor of love, the Webster House, permanently. “The Kauffman Center isn’t opening until at least fall and the symphony and other arts…
Crossroads Community Kitchen aka The Rieger Serves Big Helpings
By Kevin Collison There has been a lot of generous community response to the Covid-19 pandemic locally, but it would be hard to top the The Regier when it comes to an industrial-strength outpouring of good will–and free food. Since mid-March, the fine dining restaurant at 1924 Main has transformed itself into the Crossroads Community…
New Fundraiser Launched to Help Hard-Hit Restaurant, Bar Workers
The organizers of Curbside KC have added a new item to their menu for helping restaurant and other hospitality workers hit hard by the business restrictions forced by the Covid-19 crisis. Kansas City Runs on Hospitality is a fundraising effort that hopes to raise $100,000 to help out-of-work and/or underemployed restaurant and bar workers by…