Civic Affairs
Plaza Building Morphing from Angry Graffiti to Hopeful Murals
By Kevin Collison A Plaza-area building tagged with graffiti during the George Floyd protests in late May is being transformed from what was a lingering eyesore to a five-story canvas for street art celebrating unity. “I wanted to take those messages left in anger, which I understand, and put it in a positive light,” said…
KC a National Leader Converting Old Buildings to Apartments
By Kevin Collison Kansas City ranks among the top 10 cities in the country when it comes to converting older buildings to apartments, the large majority of them downtown office towers, according to a new report by RENTCafé. The report by the national real estate research firm found 43 buildings in Kanas City have been…
Plan Calls for Historic Boone Theater to be Media Hub for 18th & Vine
By Kevin Collison The historic Boone Theater in the 18th & Vine District would be redeveloped as a media and entertainment center under a proposal backed by several influential Kansas City businesses and civic leaders. The vacant theater would be restored by the Vine St. Collaborative with the support of firms including J.E. Construction and…
New Royals Owner Talks About Downtown Baseball, East Village
(Editor’s note: This article first appeared in CityScene KC on Jan. 3, 2020) While cautioning it’s early in the game, John Sherman, the new owner of the Royals, has no problem talking up the economic benefits of downtown baseball and says he’s already being lobbied on possible sites. “Baseball creates more economic opportunity in denser…
Key State Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program Poised for Revival
(Editor’s note, the Missouri Housing Development Commission voted to restore funding for the state Low Income Housing Tax Credit program on Sept. 25) By Kevin Collison A state incentive program that was considered a vital tool to help build affordable housing in downtown Kansas City and around Missouri before being defunded in 2017 by former…