Spring Sees Kansas City Slowly Reopening

By Steve Kraske,

Chris Young, Zach Wilson, Reginald David, Mackenzie Martin

Published March 22, 2021 at 2:18 PM CDT

Kansas City Library staffers wait for patrons at Swope Park as part of their Pop In at the Park program at area parks. — Kansas City Public Library staffers met patrons at Swope Park during the summer of 2020 as part of their Pop In at the Park program.

Spring is here, and with it some businesses and organizations around Kansas City are pivoting again as they plan how to operate in the new normal.

Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: Kansas City business owners and community leaders about the "new normal."

Some Kansas City businesses — like Mills Record Co. and Knuckleheads — remained open for most of the pandemic. But places like the Kansas City Public Library and Fine Arts Group have been primarily closed, prioritizing digital offerings instead. Some of what the library pivoted to during the pandemic will continue because of its success, but the Fine Arts Group is waiting to see if movie lovers come back for the big screen experience.

Judy Mills, owner of Mills Record Co.
John Herron, director of the Kansas City Public Library
Brian Mossman, vice president of Fine Arts Group
Frank Hicks, owner of Knuckleheads

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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Mackenzie Martin

As senior podcast producer for KCUR Studios and a host of A People’s History of Kansas City, I interview everyday people and dig through old newspaper articles to unearth stories of the visionaries and renegades who created this region. I focus on bringing the past to life, so we can all better understand the city we live in today. Email me at mackenzie@kcur.org.

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