© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Hotel Operators Will Help Fund Hyatt Disaster Memorial

New operators of the former Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel will donate $5,000 to a memorial fund commemorating victims, first responders and volunteers who helped in Kansas City’s worst human-made disaster.

Last week the Hyatt Corporation declined to help fund the memorial just east of the hotel where 114 people died when lobby skywalks collapsed in 1981.

The property has a new management team, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, which is starting a $13 million renovation.

In a written release, manager Steve Shalit said   the company is "very aware and respectful of Kansas City’s deep ties to this hotel.”  The memorial will be built a few blocks east of the hotel on Hospital Hill.

KCUR prides ourselves on bringing local journalism to the public without a paywall — ever.

Our reporting will always be free for you to read. But it's not free to produce.

As a nonprofit, we rely on your donations to keep operating and trying new things. If you value our work, consider becoming a member.