KC Scene is your go-to, unbiased resource for everything Kansas Cityβwhere to live, what to do, and how to make this city feel like home. Whether you're moving in or moving up, weβve got you covered with real estate, development, lifestyle, and local gems.
Share
βοΈ Ballpark Lawsuit, ποΈ $1.49B Plaza Rebuild, π¬ Friday Night Lights Cast in KC
Published 13 days agoΒ β’Β 17 min read
Kansas City has a lot happening this week, from major development plans and national restaurant recognition to new local businesses, community milestones, and some pretty unexpected stories. Here's what's making headlines this week:
ποΈ Leawood approved a 190-unit apartment project on 135th Street featuring a 640-foot-long building facade, which would make it the longest building in the city.
π Liberty's Smokey Bey BBQ beat 43 other pitmasters to win the Made for KC BBQ Championship, earning an 18-month agreement to operate a barbecue restaurant at KCI starting in 2027.
π· Five stainless steel poppies, standing up to 20 feet tall, are now permanently installed at the Overland Park Arboretum as part of a $1.1 million sculpture honoring the legacy of artist Jeff Hanson and his charitable work.
π«π· The KC Pink Warriors are representing Kansas City in France this week at a global dragon boat festival bringing together thousands of breast cancer survivor paddlers from around the world.
π Trader Joe's is opening its first Merriam location next week, bringing a new grocery option to the city for the first time since Hen House left in 2018.
π Danny's Burger Shack has opened its first Johnson County location in Shawnee, taking over the longtime Bar West space with its popular hand-pressed burgers.
These are just some of the stories making headlines around Kansas City this week. Scroll down for all the details!
ποΈ LEAWOOD APPROVES A 640 FOOT LONG BUILDING ON 135TH STREETβ Leawood's City Council voted 5-2 on Aug. 17 to approve the revised final development plan for One35, a 190 unit apartment project on 135th Street just west of State Line Road. The mixed use building's 135th Street facade runs 640 feet, which would make it the longest building in Leawood. Councilmember Steve Kaster argued the building would be 50 percent longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall, citing 400 feet, and the applicant's attorney corrected him on the spot. Kaster admitted during the meeting that ChatGPT had given him the wrong number. He and Lisa Harrison cast the two no votes.
π LIBERTY PITMASTER BEATS 43 RIVALS FOR A KCI RESTAURANTβ Smokey Bey BBQ of Liberty won the Made for KC BBQ Championship at Holladay Distillery in Weston over the weekend of Aug. 22 and 23. Owner Charles Bey beat 43 other pitmasters for the title. The prize is an 18 month licensing agreement for the barbecue restaurant in Concourse B at the KCI terminal, plus a line of rubs and sauces developed for the restaurant and for home smokers. Smokey Bey takes over the space in March 2027.
π£ KC PINK WARRIORS ARE PADDLING IN FRANCE THIS WEEKβ The KC Pink Warriors, a Kansas City dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors that trains on Brush Creek, are at the IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in Aix-les-Bains, France, running Aug. 24 to 30 on Lac du Bourget. The festival brings 4,500 paddlers from 320 member teams across 37 countries, and it is the first time the event has landed in France since the International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission formed in 2010. Twenty paddlers to a boat, and the team hit the water Thursday. Team vice president Beth Root put it this way: "We talk about one breath, one stroke, one team."
πΊ FIVE STEEL POPPIES UP TO 20 FEET TALL NOW STAND AT THE OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUMβ A $1.1 million sculpture called "Growing Kindness" was dedicated Friday, Aug. 21 near the entrance of the Overland Park Arboretum, overlooking the pond by the LongHouse Visitor Center. It is five stainless steel poppies, 12 to 20 feet tall, fabricated by KC metal shop Zahner and modeled on the paintings of Jeff Hanson, an Overland Park artist who was visually impaired and died in 2020 at 27. Hanson started selling watercolor notecards at 12 while going through chemotherapy, raising $15,000 from a driveway stand he called "Jeff's Bistro." He had raised $1 million for charity by his 20th birthday and $7 million by the time he died. His parents deliberately left his name off the sculpture so it would stand for what he did rather than who he was. Mayor Curt Skoog called it a "monument to kindness." It took about five years to build, and it is permanent and free to walk up to.
π« JOHNSON COUNTY PARKS BOUGHT A SHUTTERED MONTESSORI SCHOOL AND WANTS TO MAKE IT CHILDCAREβ JCPRD bought the three acre property at 7725 W. 87th St. in Overland Park, near South Lake Park, in May, and its board approved a contract with Clark & Enersen this month for a facility needs assessment. Johnson County Montessori operated there for 60 years before closing in late 2025, when owner GoodLife Innovations shut it down while restructuring to focus on adults with disabilities, citing all time low enrollment. The closure blindsided families. JCPRD's 2024 children's services strategic plan calls for at least five new early childhood facilities to keep pace with county demand, and it already runs the Roeland Park Early Childhood Development Center plus Nature Play Preschools at Meadowbrook Park and Mill Creek. Nothing is decided yet, though. There is no cost figure, no timeline and no confirmed program, and a formal proposal likely will not reach the board until January or February 2027. Spokesman Kellen Jenkins called it "the very, very start of that process."
The American Royal has an opening date. The first phase of its new $375 million campus near 118th and State in Kansas City, Kansas, debuts September 10 with an invite-only event.
βPho & Boil is opening in northern Overland Park, and the name is the menu. Vietnamese noodle soup and Cajun seafood boils, out of the same kitchen.
π’ DEVELOPMENT SCENE
PORT KC AUTHORIZED $1.49 BILLION TO REBUILD 19 BLOCKS OF THE PLAZA
Port KC's board voted Monday, Aug. 24 to authorize up to $1.49 billion in project bonds for the redevelopment of a 19-block stretch of the Country Club Plaza β the largest financing package the district has ever carried, and the product of more than 10 months of negotiation between the city and developer Gillon Property Group.
The scale of the problem is the reason for the scale of the deal. According to Mayor Quinton Lucas' office, the Plaza has lost nearly half of its appraised value since 2020. Kansas City's most recognizable shopping district has been losing ground for six years.
What gets built. The plan calls for nearly 1,000 new residential units, roughly 1.7 million square feet of commercial and retail space, and new hotel space. The through-line is that the Plaza stops being a place you drive to and becomes a place people live. The structure lets developers borrow up to $1.40 billion to reinvest and recruit tenants across the district.
How the schools get paid. This is the part the city is leading with. Instead of a conventional tax abatement, the deal runs on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes structure beginning in 2027 that guarantees more than $234.5 million in base payments to Kansas City Public Schools and other taxing jurisdictions, with an estimated $46.5 million more as new construction comes online β a projected $281.1 million total over the life of the project. The plan also routes $5,000 per new residential unit into the city's Housing Trust Fund. Port KC's position is that taxpayers are not on the hook and no taxing jurisdiction loses revenue.
"Today's action finally moves the Country Club Plaza into the 21st Century," Lucas said. "It also ensures our schools and libraries will share in the Plaza's growth and redevelopment."
What isn't settled.Kansas City Public Schools sent Port KC a letter saying it does not fully agree with the decision. The district's letter has not been made public, so the specifics of the objection aren't on the record β but the disagreement is real, and it sits directly on top of the schools-funding argument the city is making. Gillon's Dustin Bullard put it plainly on camera: "Everybody didn't get what they wanted, including us. And that's okay."
What's next. Monday's vote authorizes Port KC's intent to issue the bonds. Formal approvals for individual construction phases still come later, with the first phase expected to move this fall. The bonds begin in 2027 and run 30 years. Gillon says it hopes to have the improvements finished by 2037.
Sources: Port KC board action (8/24) Β· Office of Mayor Quinton Lucas (8/24) Β· KCTV5 (8/24)β
π DANNY'S BURGER SHACK TOOK OVER SHAWNEE'S OLD BAR WEST SPACEβ The Northland burger brand β a 2022 food truck that went brick-and-mortar in 2023 β opened its first Johnson County store at 7174 Renner Road in the Midland shopping center, in the space Bar West held for more than 15 years. Hand-pressed patties, open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Co-owner Joe Sessel says the response has been "overwhelming" and they're trading speed for quality on purpose, so expect a wait. Next month's rotating special is a green hatch chile burger. β
πΉ THE DAIQUIRI DISTRICT SOFT OPENS SATURDAY AT MARTINI CORNERβ Frozen daiquiris and hot chicken from the Howlin Fowls team are moving into the former Barrio Taqueria space at 408 E. 31st St., with a soft opening Saturday, Aug. 29 starting at noon. They're running it as a pop-up for now, so the menu and hours will move around β check their Instagram before you go. Second new bar at Martini Corner in about a month, after Social House took the old Ludo's space.
πTRADER JOE'S OPENS IN MERRIAM WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 AT 9 A.M.β Store #821 opens at 8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy β a compact 9,498 square feet on the site of the old Antioch library branch, and the first grocery to open inside Merriam city limits since Hen House left in 2018. The district carries a 1% CID sales tax, but Merriam exempts groceries, so you won't pay it here.
π¬ THE LEE'S SUMMIT COSTCO WAS SUPPOSED TO OPEN TODAY. IT'S NOW OCT. 2.β βThe warehouse at 10 SE Oldham Pkwy., near MO-291 and U.S. 50, was set to open today and just slipped more than a month, to Oct. 2 β crews are still finishing the building and the fuel center. Membership sign-ups are running at Summit Woods Crossing in the meantime.
β A SALINA COFFEE CHAIN IS PUTTING SIX CAFES ON THE MISSOURI SIDEβ βMokas Coffee & Eatery signed a nine-store franchise deal with Cornerstone Hospitality, and six are targeted for Clay and Jackson counties β the Northland and Eastern Jackson County. The other three go to Derby, Garden City and Manhattan. Mokas is part of JRI Hospitality, the largest Freddy's franchisee in the country, so it's a backed rollout rather than a one-off. β οΈ Openings targeted for 2027, and no sites have been named. β
Proposed
ποΈ DILLONS WANTS THE EMPTY JC PENNEY IN INDEPENDENCEβ Plans are filed to convert the vacant department store into a grocery with a fuel center. Filed, not approved, and no timeline announced. β
Milestones
β HOMER'S COFFEE HOUSE TURNS 25 IN DOWNTOWN OVERLAND PARKβ The 501(c)(3) not-for-profit coffee house at 7126 W. 80th St. hits 25 years in September β a long run for any independent shop, a very long one for a nonprofit. The anniversary party is Sept. 12, with local vendors from 9 a.m. to noon and live music at 6:30 p.m.
π¨ ART SCENE
THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS CAST IS COMING TO UNION STATION, AND THAT'S JUST NIGHT ONE
Kansas City has never had trouble calling itself a sports town. Starting Friday, it gets to try on "film town" for a weekend.
The Full Tilt Film Festival is brand new β a Kansas City Film Office production built around where sports, film and culture meet β and for a first year, the lineup is not what you'd expect from a first year. It runs two nights across two of the city's most recognizable addresses.
Friday, Aug. 28 at Union Station, the festival opens with a 20th-anniversary screening of Friday Night Lights, with members of the cast there in person.
Saturday, Aug. 29, everything moves to 18th & Vine for three screenings. First, the Midwest premiere of The Brittney Griner Story, fresh off Sundance and not officially releasing until 2027. Then* The Future is Flag*, with special guest Diana Flores β captain of Mexico's national flag football team and one of the faces of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. And closing it out, the world premiere of* Chasing Goals***, made right here: co-produced by the Chiefs'** Foolish Club Studios and Trevor Noah's Day Zero Productions**, following Global FC high schoolers out of KC's** Historic Northeast**. Panels through the day bring in people from** ESPN, NBC and Sony.
The setting is half of what makes Saturday worth the trip. The festival spills onto 18th & Vine's new pedestrian mall, with food trucks and vendors on site β a chance to see one of Kansas City's most historic neighborhoods working as a festival grounds.
The details:
Friday, Aug. 28 β Union Station Β· Friday Night Lights 20th anniversary, cast in attendance
Saturday, Aug. 29 β 18th & Vine Β· The Brittney Griner Story (Midwest premiere), The Future is Flag with Diana Flores, Chasing Goals (world premiere), plus panels
Tickets: single tickets to each event, or a festival pass for the full weekend
Destiny Bond w/ MEO44 @ The Bottleneck (Lawrence, KS) | genre unspecified* | 8:00PM | INFOβ
Jazz Thursday: Two Tenor Tussle @ The Ship OG Lounge (West Bottoms) | jazz | 7:00PM* | free | INFOβ
π SPORTS SCENE
CONDO OWNERS NEXT TO THE BALLPARK SITE ARE SUING TO PAUSE THE PROJECT
Four days after the City Council approved the Royals ballpark agreements, the people who live closest to the site went to court.
The San Francisco Association, representing owners in the 33-story San Francisco Tower at 2510 Grand Blvd., filed suit Monday, Aug. 24 against the City of Kansas City, the Kansas City Royals and the Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation. It is asking for a temporary restraining order, which, if a judge grants it, could pause work on the ballpark district while the case proceeds. This is the first legal challenge to a project that has, until now, only moved forward.
The claim. The association's central argument is about what the paperwork leaves out. Across the four agreements the Council approved β 165 pages and roughly 70,000 words, the same documents we read line by line last week β the tower, the association, and the building's recorded easements and covenants reportedly do not appear once. Those easements are not decorative. Residents say they carry the building's utilities, an underground tunnel, a pedestrian bridge, and rights to 400 parking spaces in the Crown Center garage. Leave a 50-year-old condo tower out of the record, the argument goes, and it ends up negotiating for its own plumbing.
Beyond the easements, residents have raised concerns about structural damage from demolition and construction, dust, potential damage to water systems, noise and light pollution, and security. They say they have been asking for meetings with the Royals, Crown Center and city leaders since May.
What it doesn't challenge. This is not a fight over the $600 million public contribution or the lease terms, the petition campaign is a separate effort. It is a property-rights claim from a building that happens to sit inside the footprint.
Where it stands. Everything above is drawn from the association's filing as reported; the City, the Royals and Crown Center had not publicly responded as of this writing, and no hearing date on the restraining order has been announced. The timing is the part to watch: zoning authorization goes to the full Council Thursday, Sept. 3, and all Major League Baseball approvals are due on or before Sept. 30.
For one month Kansas City felt like the center of the world, but then the numbers came in. A local realtor breaks down where the money actually went and what the city really gained.
Historic Plaza Condo with Character and Prime Location
309 E Emanuel Cleaver Blvd #404 is a spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo in the iconic Park Castles, offering 1,235 square feet of living space and plenty of opportunity to make it your own. With hardwood floors, crown molding, abundant natural light, a formal dining room, and a flexible bonus room, the home blends historic character with functional living spaces.
The kitchen is ready for your personal touch, while in-unit laundry adds convenience. Just steps from the Country Club Plaza, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, UMKC, and the Plaza Streetcar stop, the location makes getting around Kansas City easy. A secured covered garage space and shared basement storage round out the property.
π‘ Property Overview
Address: 309 E Emanuel Cleaver Blvd #404, Kansas City, MO 64112
Listing Provided by:Kyle Talbot with KW KANSAS CITY METRO
At Loans in KC, we understand that every financial situation is unique. Thatβs why we offer personalized loan solutions designed to meet your specific needs. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing you with fast and reliable service. β Mortgage rates change constantly, much like the weather, and they vary depending on your unique circumstances. Just like finding the right tool for a job, getting the right mortgage rate is crucial. Let us help you discover the perfect match with a FREE customized quote today! Youβre not just another number to us; youβre part of the family.
π Union Station + 18th & Vine | β° Fri evening Β· Sat from 11 AM Film festival. The inaugural Full Tilt runs two days of sports-storytelling premieres and panels with people from ESPN, NFL Films, NBC and Sony Pictures. Includes the world premiere of Chasing Goals and a screening of The Brittney Griner Story. Pass required.
π Paola Park Square, Paola, KS | β° Fri + Sat Roots festival. Year 37 brings the East Central State BBQ Championship cook-off, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and family activities. $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $35 two-day pass, free for kids 12 and under.
π Science City at Union Station | β° Sat + Sun Family event. Build a fire-breathing dragon, mix pH potions in the Wizard's Lair, make a UV-reactive wand, and meet the live animals behind the fantasy creatures at 11 AM. $17.25.
π Rock Island Bridge, West Truss | β° Fri 6β9 PM Night market. Open-air stalls of local art, vintage finds, handmade goods and community-priced produce, out on the bridge deck over the Kansas River. Free to attend.
π George Owens Nature Park, Independence | β° Sat 1β7 PM Community event. Kiddie pools for the dogs, dog-and-owner activities and treats from the Independence Animal Shelter. Free, leashes required.
π Downtown Lee's Summit | β° Fri 5β8 PM Art walk. Downtown shops and restaurants turn into pop-up galleries β paintings, sculpture, handmade jewelry and textile work from local artists, with live music between venues. Free.
Weβre building the ultimate library of local guides to help you experience Kansas City like never before. From art walks to foodie finds, keep an eye outβnew guides are dropping all year long. Download now, save for later, and share with a friend!
Got an idea for a guide you'd love to see? Weβd love to hear it. Reach out anytime at media@thekcscene.com.
Thatβs it for today! Wishing you an amazing week.
Your Guide to Living, Working & Thriving in Kansas City
KC Scene is your go-to, unbiased resource for everything Kansas Cityβwhere to live, what to do, and how to make this city feel like home. Whether you're moving in or moving up, weβve got you covered with real estate, development, lifestyle, and local gems.
Kansas City has a lot happening this week, from the latest Royals stadium developments and new businesses to community projects and major redevelopment plans. Here's what's making headlines: βΎ Kansas City voters could get a say on the Royals stadium deal in April 2027 after a petition effort seeks to put the funding on the ballot. π Trader Joe's opened its first Merriam location this week, ending an eight-year grocery store gap in the city. ποΈ Shawnee's long-vacant Westbrooke Shopping Center...
Kansas City has a lot happening this week, from a major Royals stadium deal and big new development plans to sports, local businesses, and some pretty unexpected stories. Here's what's making headlines this week: ποΈ The Kansas City Council approved the $1.9 billion Royals stadium deal, clearing the way for a new ballpark at Crown Center with the city committing up to $600 million. ποΈ Price Brothers is proposing 465 new homes and two big-box stores on roughly 100 acres south of Bluhawk in...
β