News & Issues
In Full Bloom
Kansas City’s embrace of green space dates back to the late 1800s, when famed landscape architect George Kessler laid out its system of parks and boulevards. A century later, in 1991, the local chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Kansas State University drew on Kessler’s inspiration to develop MetroGreen. The report, and…
Historic Board of Ed Building Sold to Copaken Brooks, Demolition Likely
By Kevin Collison The former Board of Education building at 1211 McGee has been sold by the school district to downtown real estate powerhouse Copaken Brooks in a transaction that closed last week. Jon Copaken, principal of the firm, said that while there are no immediate development plans for the 2.5-acre site next door to…
Historic Scarritt Building and Arcade Slated as $50M Luxury Hotel
By Kevin Collison One of downtown’s most historic and architecturally impressive buildings, the Scarritt, has been purchased by a Florida developer who plans to renovate it as a 193-room Wyndham Grand hotel. The 11-story Scarritt office tower at 818 Grand and its adjoining four-level Arcade, which has its entrance at 819 Walnut, were completed in…
Climate Change’s Serious Effects On Kansas Citians Disproportionately Affect The Poor
The discussion about climate change often centers on what increasingly extreme weather will mean for agriculture and the environment. But what about its effect on poverty?
Académie Lafayette Opening IB High School at Armour Campus Next Fall
By Kevin Collison Académie Lafayette is opening an International Baccalaureate high school at 201 E. Armour in Midtown, accomplishing a goal the French-immersion charter school program established when it started 20 years ago. “This is the fulfillment of a dream, our vision,” said M. Elimane Mbengue, head of the school. “Every year, our parents had…