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City

KC Made: How H&R Block shaped downtown Kansas City

That’s a lot of tax returns. | Photo by KCtoday

Can a community get a tax return? In a roundabout way, yes. Here’s the story of how KC-based H&R Block grew from a Midtown shop on Main Street to a global enterprise — and ultimately used its success to give back to the community.

Building H&R Block

The year was 1955 when the IRS discontinued its local tax preparation services. Bookkeeping brothers Henry + Richard Bloch put an ad in the Star for tax services, and the response ultimately tripled their yearly revenue.

The brothers went on to set up franchise offices in places like New York City. By the turn of the century, H&R Block had grown to the sixth-largest accounting firm in the US.

What happens on Main Street stays on Main Street

At the time, downtown Kansas City was a blighted eye-sore. Today, it’s the go-to destination for the biggest entertainment acts in the metro. How did that happen?

In the early 2000s, local leaders spearheaded a multi-billion private/public initiative to remake downtown. Ahead of projects like the Sprint Center and Power & Light came the new 17-story H&R Block headquarters.

Photo of H&R Block sign by entrance — Fun fact: The Bloch brothers changed it to Block so it would be pronounced right.
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Photo by KCtoday

“It was important to H&R Block to stay on Main Street and to take a leadership role in partnering with the community,” 2016 H&R Block CEO and President Bill Cobb said.

By 2006, the new tower — at Main Street + 13th Street — had literally reshaped KC’s skyline. Today, its elliptical shape “sheathed in green glass” is a stand-out design along the streetcar line.

H&R Block today

Earlier this year, H&R Block announced a $10 million donation for the South Loop project. As the largest private funding gift to date, the company is yet again using it’s success to reshape downtown.

As for taxes, you can check out its online services (hopefully before Tax Day on Tuesday, April 18).

Asked

This story was the first in a series about local businesses that have and continue to shape Kansas City.

What major company do you want to know about next?

Tell us here

Events

Tuesday, April 11

April NAWBO KC Breakfast | Tuesday, Apr. 11 | 7:30-9 a.m. | The Space by Dolce Bakery, 3924 W. 69th Terr., Prairie Village, KS | Free | Network with women business members and hear from a panel about current topics impacting businesses.
ZAVA | Tuesday, Apr. 11 | 7 p.m. | Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO | $22 | From soaring vocals to infectious grooves, this celestial production is a must-hear.

Wednesday, April 12

Family Night | Wednesday, April 12 | 5-8 p.m. | Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Ln., Lenexa, KS | Free | Bring the whole family for free activities and discounted food + drink specials.
Medicare In Plain English | Wednesday, Apr. 12 | 6-7 p.m. | North Kansas City Hospital Pavilion, Burlington Room, 2790 Clay Edwards Dr., North Kansas City, MO | Free | Understands the basics + enrollment process of Medicare.

Thursday, April 13

Hot Country Nights Reveal Party | Thursday, Apr. 13-Friday, Apr. 14 | 8 a.m. | PBR Big Sky, 111 E. 13th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | See what artists are on the 2023 Hot Country Nights lineup — the first 100 people will receive a complimentary Miller Lite.
Yappy Hour | Thursday, Apr. 13 | 5-7 p.m. | Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS | $5 | Bring your pup to this dog-loving happy hour.

Friday, April 14

2023 Downtown KC Annual Luncheon | Friday, Apr. 14 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Loews Kansas City Hotel, 1515 Wyandotte St., Kansas City, MO | $125-$150 | Network with area leaders, munch on lunch, and hear about KC themes like major catalytic projects and affordable housing.
Kansas City Mavericks | Friday, Apr. 14-Saturday, Apr. 15 | 7:05 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $12-$55 | Kansas City’s pro hockey team takes takes on the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Saturday, April 15

Litter Cleanup | Saturday, Apr. 15 | 9-11 a.m. | Target, 1850 NW Chipman Rd., Kansas City, MO | Free | Be a Summit Eco Warrior and remove trash and debris along Highways 50 and 470 in Lee’s Summit.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Development

The Weld Wheel Building — that huge one in the West Bottoms with all the broken windows — is going down, and SomeraRoad is yelling timber. The demolition is approved for late June, kicking off a $500 million neighborhood redevelopment. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Plans for a new tower next to the Power & Light Building have been scaled down to avoid overshadowing the historic landmark. The proposal now calls for a 20-story apartment tower and a 10-story boutique hotel. The P&L skyscraper is 36 stories tall. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Community

Remember the South Loop Project? The second community meeting is scheduled for today, 5-7 p.m. at The Gallery — 61 E. 14th St., KCMO. Project leaders will provide a 30-minute presentation followed by an open house with opportunities for design feedback.

Plan Ahead

There’s a beer party popping up in the Crossroads over the NFL Draft weekend. KC Draft Fest will feature beverages from seven local drink makers, plus food trucks, vendors, and live broadcasts. The event takes place Friday, April 28, 1-6 p.m. — at City Barrel + the Lyric Opera. Tickets are $25.

Job

Azura Amphitheater is hosting a job fair this Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Venue leadership plans to hire event staff like ushers and ticket scanners. Find more information by contacting this email.

Arts

Local James Beard Award finalist Drastic Measures is holding a T-shirt design contest. Artwork will be voted on via Instagram, and the winner will receive $500 — plus, $5 per shirt will go toward a charity of the winner’s choice. Grab your pencils. The vote begins Monday, April 24.

Try This

Looking to flex your creative muscles? There’s still time to submit to our poetry contest. Using our Wednesday, April 5 newsletter as your word bank, craft a 75-word or less poem. Finalists will be selected based on criteria including originality + creativity — show us what you got by Sunday, April 16.

Today Is

Today is National Pet Day. Celebrate your fur babies with our brand partner, Hannah Chloe Co. From bandanas to bows, your adorable pet will appreciate these gifts. Shop now.

Travel

Itching to take a vacation? How about exploring some of our favorite destinations on the East Coast? We’ve rounded up a list of five drool-worthy vacation spots just for you. This oceanfront suite in Bermuda is one of our favorites on the list. See the rest.

Fun fact

🏗 What’s underneath the NFL Draft stage?

What’s underneath the largest NFL Draft stage at Union Station?

Photo of draft stage construction at Union Station

Taken from The Link, the bridge connecting Union Station with Crown Center. | Photo by KCtoday

Going up. NFL crews are hard at work constructing the 2023 Draft stage at Union Station. This feat may seem ordinary from the surface level — which is why we’re going underground.

This draft will feature the largest theater stage in the event’s 87-year history. According to an NFL event director, the total structure is “almost the size of a football field.”

All that construction is so heavy that it poses a risk to station’s subterranean parking garage. Multiple sources told KCtoday that crews began work by reinforcing the underground area with steel.

Photo of steel supports under Union Station — We all need a little support sometimes.
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Photo by KCtoday

The result aims to highlight the historic architecture and beauty of Union Station. It’s facade will be the backdrop for the stage, and the Grand Plaza inside will serve as the green room for athletes and their families.

The NFL Draft will be Thursday, April 27-Saturday, April 29. You can attend via the the OnePass app.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Travis

From the editor

I visited Columbia this past weekend for a special Mizzou event, and we went to Ragtag Cinema + Uprise Bakery for a beverage during some downtown. Fun fact: they sell Boulevard Tank 7 by the pint. What’s more? It was only $6.50.

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