development

Construction trades are riding the biggest building boom in decades, in part due to data center projects. But the artificial intelligence that the facilities power could upend the job market for everyone else.

For decades, Kansas City has made it mandatory to provide a minimum amount of parking spaces for restaurants, businesses and apartments. Planners and advocates say that the high price has prevented empty storefronts from being filled and hollowed out the urban core.

The city of Independence blocked residents from starting a petition that could force a citywide vote after city council approved more than $6 billion in tax breaks. Now opponents are suing to force the process to move forward.

A group of Independence residents opposed to a massive data center is gearing up to force a public vote on it. But the city argues approving their petition would violate its governing rules.

The city approved massive tax breaks because they say the money and protections city will receive make it a good deal. Opponents want to put the incentives on the ballot so residents can weigh in.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum recently revealed its vision for a new, expanded campus and hotel that will make it possible for the museum to host more exhibits and turn 18th and Vine into a destination. It’s just one of many ongoing development projects aimed at revitalizing the historic jazz district.

The hyperscale data center would go in eastern Independence, near schools and an ammunition plant. A growing number of residents are trying to stop city officials from providing any tax incentives to the company to keep it from being built.

The Port Authority of Kansas City voted unanimously this week to cut ties with Platform Ventures, after learning of the developer's plans to sell a massive warehouse in south Kansas City to the federal government for use as a mass immigrant detention facility.

The Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council wants the Port Authority of Kansas City to pass rules that ensure workers on projects funded by the port will earn a good wage and be part of work training programs.

The project will build new housing on what was once one of the oldest Black-owned housing cooperatives in the country.

The zoning change is the first regulation on where data centers can be built in the city. Advocates see it as the first step in limiting the AI data center boom.

A data center in the Crossroads is using the clean energy loan for its chilling equipment. Supporters hope that the loans will encourage the projects to be more environmentally friendly. Critics want the city to do more to regulate the developments.