News & Issues

Final Barney Allis Plaza Rebuild Plan Has $112.4M Price Tag

By Kevin Collison Almost three years after launching its search, the city now has solid design plan and price tag for reviving the crumbling Barney Allis Plaza, but appears to be no closer to figuring out how to pay for it. At a briefing to a Council committee Wednesday, consultants said the Plaza built in…

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The final design for a revamped Barney Allis Plaza lowers it to street level and adds 39,000 square feet of green space for events.

Barney Allis Plaza Rebuild Plan Has $112.4M Price Tag

Almost three years after launching its search, the city now has solid design plan and price tag for reviving the crumbling Barney Allis Plaza, but appears to be no closer to figuring out how to pay for it.

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Natural gas meter.

Many Feel the Chill of Mounting Utility Bills

Kansas Citians struggling to make ends meet face utility debt, especially if they live in poorly weatherized homes. What support is out there?

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Work Expected to Resume This Spring on Hilton Boutique Hotel Project

By Kevin Collison Work on renovating the historic Palace Clothing Co. building at 12th and Grand into a boutique hotel is expected resume this spring following a lengthy delay caused by the Covid pandemic. Mark Patel, the developer of the planned 110-room Canopy by Hilton, is accepting bids and finalizing a general contractor for the…

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Independence City Hall

Marijuana, Utility Contracts: Records Show Continued FBI Interest in Independence Deals

The line of questioning in a sworn deposition provides fresh details into an FBI probe that’s transfixed state and local politics ever since news of it surfaced in 2019.

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