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Kansas City's mayor joined KCUR's Up To Date for a discussion about the future of sports in the metro — including the pressure around keeping the Chiefs and Royals, and chaos in the committee helping to organize the 2026 World Cup. But there's one thing Quinton Lucas isn't worried about: President Biden's ability to run for president.
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Country Club Plaza, Oak Park Mall and Independence Center face similar challenges and starkly different futures.
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Kansas City's Country Club Plaza is under new ownership, more than a year after its previous owners defaulted on loan payments. The new Dallas-based management group has some big and expensive plans to revitalize the struggling shopping district.
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HP Village Management bought the Country Club Plaza last month after its previous owners defaulted on loan payments. The shopping district's new owners have big plans to improve the area — including increasing security, attracting local tenants, and making it friendlier to pedestrians.
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Kansas City's iconic outdoor shopping center has faced multiple challenges under its previous ownership, including high turnover and crime. The new owners run a successful shopping mall similar to the Plaza in Texas.
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Earlier this month, vandals defaced the William Volker Memorial Fountain by removing the leg of a large, male figure and the arm of a faun — a half-human, half-goat creature from Greek and Roman mythology.
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The 14 lighted outdoor courts, owned by the city and located on the eastern edge of the Country Club Plaza, have long been the subject of speculation because it's viewed as prime real estate by developers. The tennis center is now under new management after a default by fitness giant Genesis Health Clubs.
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About 500 people joined Al-Hadaf KC, a Palestinian-led group that helped plan the rally, in calls for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and an end to what they call Israeli occupation. The group has spent months rallying support for the Palestinian cause.
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Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has launched an effort to charge more cases of retail theft and illegal firearms on the Plaza.
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Kansas City is already full-force into the holiday season. Enjoy light displays, small-town traditions, pop-up bars, performances and holiday markets through the rest of November and December.
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Businesses and shoppers express worries about personal safety and rising crime on the Plaza, but the numbers show that the largest issues revolve around cars. However, shopping district's enduring legacy of racism tends to heavily influence the discussion.
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The Plaza has been losing tenants at about the same rate it signs new ones. Whoever purchases the shopping district may have to invest at least $100 million in infrastructure and building upgrades to bring the area back to its “jewel of Kansas City” reputation.