Civic Affairs
North Kansas City Streetcar Plan Hits $222M Roadblock
By Kevin Collison A proposal to extend the streetcar to North Kansas City has hit a hard fiscal reality; it’s far too expensive to build utilizing the local funding method that has developed the system so far on Main Street and to the riverfront. It would cost up to $222 million to extend the streetcar…
Pedestrian Plaza Plan to Enliven 18th and Vine District
By Kevin Collison The 18th and Vine District is looking forward to transforming its main drag into a more pedestrian-friendly corridor that can be closed temporarily for events thanks to $4 million in the new federal budget. The money obtained by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and matched by at least $2.5 million and up to $4…
Opinion: Twenty Years Later, Our Downtown Heart is Healthier to Live and Play, More Work Needed
(Editor’s note: This column was published Oct. 31, but the review of the “Mending Our Broken Heart’ series also is a good way to anticipate the New Year in greater downtown Kansas City.) By Kevin Collison Twenty years after The Star published its groundbreaking “Mending Our Broken Heart” series, downtown is back in the game,…
Oracle Pulls Former Cerner Health Conference from KC, Big Convention Loss
By Kevin Collison Oracle is moving the former Cerner Health Conference from Kansas City to Las Vegas next year, a more than $18 million blow to the local convention and hotel industry. In an internal notice to employees obtained by CityScene KC, Oracle said the event would be held at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas…
Royals’ First Hearing on Downtown Ballpark: ‘Our Conclusion is Clear’
By Kevin Collison The Royals believe a new downtown ballpark is the best move for the team’s future, telling the audience at their first “listening tour” event it would cost less than rebuilding The K and bring much more economic benefit to the community. “For the Royals, our conclusion is clear,” said team owner John…