The room where it happens (aka, the 26th floor). | Photo by KCtoday
New streets + bike lanes are popping up all over Kansas City. Did you ever wonder how real-life public projects like that happen? It all starts at City Hall.
Maybe the name Mayor Quinton Lucas is familiar. Maybe you’ve heard of City Manager Brian Platt. But how do these leaders work together, and how does that work go from pen on paper to jackhammers on concrete?
To answer that, we asked them ourselves.
Council-Manager government
KC has a Council-Manager form of government. Sometimes, it’s called Weak-Mayor, but “of course, any mayor takes offense to any description of ‘weak mayor,’” Lucas said jokingly.
This government actually came to Missouri first through Excelsior Springs in 1922, with KC not far behind (1926).
Mayor Lucaspresides over council meetings and serves as the city’s ceremonial and political leader. He has no veto power, but he takes point on policy. The council then votes on that policy to turn it into legislation. That’s where the manager comes in.
“I essentially run the day-to-day operation of the city as directed by the mayor and the council,” Manager Platt said.
The manager is appointed by the council — Platt started working in KC in December 2020. Legislation directs him to present yearly budgets, appoint task forces, and lead departments.
"[He] was someone who I think had shown great talent in both addressing basics and being a dreamer and suggesting we can do both,” Lucas said.
“I’ve even gotten used to him not wearing full suits,” Lucas said.
Photo by KCtoday
The Lucas-Platt relationship
“I don’t think this relationship would work if we weren’t friends,” Platt said.
For Lucas and Platt, the mayor-manager relationship is a close one. They had already been together for hours before our 10 a.m. interview.
"[There] was a time where the mayor and the manager in KC actually weren’t speaking to each other,” Lucas said. “That’s hard for everybody.”
Lucas + Platt have their disagreements, but they said the system is good, and their communication + honesty is important.
“We’re a unit. We’re a team. And we’ve got to be unified if we’re ever going to make transformative change,” Platt said.
Cannabrew Flame Off & Art Show | Fri., Oct. 14 | 11:30 a.m. | Grinders, 417 E. 18th St., Kansas City | Free | Come out for this nonprofit event and partake in glassblowing, art exhibits + live music. 🎶
Fall Fun! The Boneyard Jamboree | Fri., Oct. 14 | 6-6:45 p.m. | Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO | Free | This StoneLion Puppet performance is a fantastic, non-scary Halloween spooktacular for audiences of all ages.
Paramore with Young the Giant and Japanese Breakfast | Fri., Oct. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Azura Amphitheater , 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs | $36+ | While the show may be in Kansas, you can still rock out to “Misery Business” with Paramore. 🎸
Saturday, October 15
Fall Makers Fair 2022 | Sat., Oct. 15 | 1-4 p.m. | KC Pet Project, 7077 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City | Free entry | Come out for this first annual event with 40+ makers and vendors to shop from. 🎨
Salsa Dancing Lessons! | Sat., Oct. 15 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Weston Wine Company, 540 Main St., Weston | $15.00 | This pure beginners lesson is geared for folks who have never touched salsa dancing in their lives.
Sunday, October 16
Game Day Experience | Sun., Oct. 16 - Sat., Dec. 24 | 1-8 p.m. | KC Live! Block, 13 Grand Blvd, Kansas City | Free entry | Cheer on the Chiefs at the biggest screen outside of the stadium, not to mention food, drinks, and outdoor seating. 🏈
Paint & Sip - Hocus Pocus | Sun., Oct. 16 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Weston Wine Company, 540 Main St., Weston | $45.00 | Unleash the magic in this “Hocus Pocus” inspired painting class. ✨
Monday, October 17
Hannover Big Band Jazz Orchestra Live in the Biergarten | Mon., Oct. 17 | 4:30 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company, 310 W. 79th St., Kansas City | $15.00 | All the way from Germany, this sister city jazz orchestra pairs nicely with a cold lager (just like the ones from their homeland). 🎺
Tuesday, October 18
Marcus Mumford | Tue., Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | The Midland, 1228 Main St., Kansas City | $30+ | Yes, like of Mumford and Sons.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Blue Springs will break ground on a $36 million aquatics center on Thurs., Nov. 3. The new waterpark will include a surf simulator, wave ball pool, lazy river, NinjaCross course + slide tower when it opens in May 2024. Funding comes from a parks tax that was renewed in 2021. 💦 (FOX4)
A major developer bought another Midtown property in anticipation of the streetcar extension. KC-based VanTrust Real Estate purchased 2.1 acres — at 21 W. Linwood Blvd. A company rep said there’s no current plan, but the land will likely become residential. 🏗 (CityScene KC)
Community
If you’re wondering why the skyline is blue tonight, it’s not because the city is sad. It’s a salute to the Garmin Kansas City Marathon, happening this Sat., Oct. 15. Check the city website for future color coordination. 💙
“A Kansas City tradition” — that’s the new tagline of the Plaza as it prepares to celebrate 100 years in 2023. In addition to a big celebration (we’ll report on that later), the district is launching a $100,000 Centennial Grant Program. Local nonprofits can apply for the funding here.
Festival
Crossroads Hotel — 2101 Central St., KCMO — announcedDia de los Muertos: La Fiesta from 7-10 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 21. The celebration of the dead will include live mariachi entertainment, adult face painting, and specialty food + drink. While you’re down there, check out the community ofrenda at Café Ollama. 💀
Edu
Kansas City Public Schools consultants recommendedclosing 10 schools as a part of Blueprint 2030 — a long-term plan aimed at improving the district. Central High School, along with James, Longfellow, and Troost elementaries, could close by next fall. (Kansas City Star)
Civic
Olathe is building a bridge (literally) to an isolated part of the city. The 119th Street Extension Project will connect Northgate with Woodland Street across Mill Creek Streamway Park. Leaders hope the $43 million plan will spur development and increase connectivity.
Entertainment
Silver screen streaming. Leawood-based AMC will show its first Netflix original movie in theaters. “Knives Out” sequel “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” will play over Thanksgiving weekend — Wed., Nov., 23-Tues., Nov. 29. 🍿 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Drink
A decades-old fan favorite is back at Boulevard. The brewery resurrected Tenpenny, which was discontinued in 2002, as part of its Fall Adventure Mix Pack. Originally, the spin on an English Bitter was only 2.6%. Boulevard has increased the throwback beer to 4.2%. 🍻
Travel
A crackling campfire, sunsets by the lake, morning coffee on the dock — these are what fall getaways are made of. This getaway for two on a private lake in Minnesota has all that, plus a sauna.*
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Sports
Downtown baseball: Round 2 ⚾️
Kansas City’s feelings on a downtown baseball stadium
Tell us how you really feel. | Photo by @kansascityinphotos
Previously, we shared our reader’s concerns with a Royals downtown stadium, and then we asked for anyone in support. Once again, you showed up in our inbox.
“It will extend the tax base, boost employment, bring in new entertainment venues, attract new businesses downtown, and the list goes on [...] Does roasting wieners on a grill and drinking beer out weigh the above mentioned benefits? You tell me.” — Reader John K.
“Average Royals attendance is 16,000, not 40,000. 16,000 is akin to what the T-Mobile Center handles very successfully year round.” — Reader Ryan G.
“I visited Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati this summer to see downtown ballparks. The areas have transformed with new hotels, shops, restaurants, and parks. No one complained about parking… the fan base adjusted.” — Reader Christopher K.
“Let’s face it, Taco Bell and the Best Western aren’t drawing many people to the Blue Ridge Cutoff [...] Also, as much as parking costs at the stadium, it will probably be cheaper to park downtown.” — Reader Jon P.
Editor’s pick: I interviewed Mayor Lucas + Manager Platt in the mayor’s office, but I was first taken to the manager’s office (which is... bigger?). While I was waiting (definitely not snooping — just looking at the view out of the 29th floor windows), I noticed some protein bars on the desk. I’m not sure which gym the manager goes to, but we suggest his new motto is government + gains = great day in KC. Eh... we’ll workshop it.
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