Civic Affairs
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…
Council Approves Affordable Housing Set-Aside, Offers Developers Olive Branch
By Kevin Collison The City Council approved an affordable housing set-aside mandate for projects receiving tax incentives Thursday, but also offered an olive branch to developers who warn it could sabotage further investment in the city. The ordinance by Councilwoman Melissa Robinson will require developers who receive tax incentives such as property tax abatements and…
Monarchs 21st C Reboot Honors Past and Helps Museum’s Future
By Kevin Collison While the new Kansas City Monarchs reboot is a salute to the Negro Leagues storied past, it also should yield significant revenues for the future of its signature museum at the 18th & Vine Historic District. The announcement the former T-Bones minor league ball club will be called the Kansas City Monarchs…