Also, long-term Buck O'Neil Bridge street closures.
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40º | Rain/snow mix | 98% chance of rain |
Sunrise: 7:37 a.m. | Sunset: 5:12 p.m.
 

📍 Imagine what could happen here

KC Downtown Council’s Imagine 2030 plan focusing on outdoor spaces
Photo of Barney Allis Plaza sign
This garage and outdoor space is 38 years past its lifespan. | Photo via Downtown Council
When the Imagine Downtown Kansas City 2030 Strategic Plan was announced in 2022, leaders emphasized catalytic projects that would expand the potential of the 22-neighborhood area.

“We felt very strongly that this plan had to be from the grassroots up,” Downtown Council President + CEO Bill Dietrich told us. “More than a year was spent on community engagement.”

One of the main categories for these projects is outdoor spaces. The plan identified five key outdoor projects:
  1. Barney Allis Plaza
  2. The Greenline
  3. Buck O’Neil Bridge Park
  4. Washington Square Park
  5. West Bottoms Open Space
Bill said there’s a steering committee that meets quarterly that keeps things moving forward.

🌳 Barney Allis Plaza
This 68-year-old parking garage and outdoor gathering space was built with a 30-year lifespan, according to Bill. The crumbling underground structure is in need of a total $112 million reconstruction, but city officials have not identified a funding plan.

🌳 The Greenline
This 10-mile loop around downtown has the potential to connect walkers, runners, and bikers to dozens of neighborhoods and amenities. The loop’s sections are currently in various phases, including a three-year engineering phase along the Amtrak rail line.

🌳 Buck O’Neil Bridge Park
Leaders have explored ways to save the existing bridge, but studies show the cost of a bridge park would be high. MoDOT currently has a demolition date “mid to late 2023.” Downtown Council members told us an alternative option could be to at least save some arches. Leaders are also focusing on creating a skate park underneath the new bridge.

🌳 Washington Square Park
Situated between Union Station and Crown Center, this park has the potential for increased activation. Leaders told us further redevelopment depends on other projects that could move into the area, but recent ADA updates recently provided all-new walkways.

🌳 West Bottoms Open Space
West Bottoms residents want more open space + greenery. Various projects near the Rock Island Bridge as well as the SomeraRoad redevelopment plans are working toward a greener neighborhood.
Asked

If you could wave a magic wand and finish one of these five projects immediately, which would you choose?
A. Barney Allis Plaza
B. The Greenline
C. Buck O’Neil Bridge Park
D. Washington Square Park
E. West Bottoms Open Space
Take 20 seconds to tell us
The University of Kansas Health Systems
 
Events

Wednesday, April 19
  • Garment District Grooves | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Garment District Place, 8th Street + Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, MO | $0+ | Grab a bite to eat while listening to live music in this quaint downtown park.
  • Rebuild Honestly: Black Women in Sports | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7-8 p.m. | Keystone CoLabs, 800 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Hear from this panel of local sports industry leaders sharing their insights on the growth and impact of women’s sports.
Thursday, April 20
  • Little Explorer’s Club + Exciting Earth: Explore Life on Mars | Thursday, Apr. 20, Saturday, Apr. 22 | 10:15-11 a.m. | Museum at Prairiefire, 5801 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS | $0-$5 | Kids will learn about extreme temperatures, red sand, and the largest volcano in the solar system.
  • Kansas City Ballet Presents Second Company @Home | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity, 500 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO | $30 | Dancers with the emerging professionals’ program will perform a variety of both classical and custom-made contemporary works.
Friday, April 21
  • The Wizard of Paws | Friday, Apr. 21, Sunday, Apr. 23 | Times vary | Englewood 10901 E. Winner Rd., Independence, MO | $15-$25 | Martin City Melodrama is bringing you a trip to Emerald City as Dorothy and friends open the first dog shelter in the state of Kansas.
Saturday, April 22
  • Bubble Run 5K | Saturday, Apr. 22 | 8 a.m. | Azura Amphitheater | $20 | Runners will experience bogs of colored bubbles and sud showers as they complete the race.
Events calendar here
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News Notes

Traffic
  • Southbound I-35 on-ramps are now closed on the North Loop of downtown KCMO, including access from I-70 and from 5th Street. Closures will remain in place until November as construction crews continue work on the new Buck O’Neil Bridge.
Development
  • Leawood’s City Council approved a preliminary plan for 294 apartments, 91,000 sqft of retail, and 81,000+ sqft of office space — near 135th Street + Mission Road. The developer must submit a final plan including money for traffic signals and EV charging stations. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Eat
  • Spicin’ Foods — at 111 Southwest Blvd., KCK — teamed up with the NFL to create a limited edition NFL Draft BBQ Sauce. The company is currently bottling the new recipe with labels made for each team. Come hungry, because the sauce will debut at the draft next week.
Drink
  • Got milk? Shatto Milk Company released another football-related flavor called “Golden Age,” celebrating the recent success of the Chiefs. The apple pie-flavored dairy beverage is available through the farm store and online starting April 24.
Community
  • This is the last week to give your opinion on the two different South Loop Project renderings. The survey page also includes a video with descriptions of each design. Elements include an amphitheater, a food truck grove, and a dog park.
Sports
  • The Chiefs signed a new backup quarterback. Missouri native and former Mizzou Tiger Blaine Gabbert was most recently second string for Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. The previous Chiefs backup, Chad Henne, retired following last season’s Super Bowl win. (FOX4)
Fun Fact
  • In case you missed it, there’s still a chance to win $500 by taking our brief survey. Your feedback is important to us, and we want to ensure the content we deliver to you is relevant. Take the survey.
Celebrate
  • We want to wish a happy birthday to our teammate Amanda, 6AM City Sales Executive. Happy birthday, Amanda!
Finance
Number
 
Featured

🍫 World record = broken

Russell Stover breaks world record for largest box of chocolates
Photo of workers placing giant pieces of chocolate
These people had way better self control than we would have had. | Photo by KCtoday
The Kauffman Center was awash in the smell of chocolate, and the AC was set to “cold.” Food handlers, equipped with gloves and shoe covers, gingerly placed 22-pound chocolate pieces into hot tub-sized insets. Official weight counters called out numbers, and a world record official stood behind overseeing the process.

It was Monday, April 17 — the day Russell Stover set the record for largest box of chocolates.

The chocolate weighed in at 5,616 pounds, ranging from actual-sized chocolate covered almonds to enlarged pieces of real Russell Stover flavors. That beats the previous record holder set in 2008, which was 3,725 pounds (nearly a ton lighter).

The box alone was 30.5-ft by 15.5-ft and weighed 2,300+ pounds.

As part of the rules, all of the chocolate needed to be donated, so Russell Stover partnered to raise money for Feed the Children.
👀 Watch our video
The Wrap
 
Photo of Travis Meier in Kansas City

Today’s edition by:
Travis
From the editor
Fun fact: Did you know that Russell Stover Chocolates is turning 100 years old this year? It was originally founded in 1923 in Clara Stover’s Denver kitchen. Nine years later, the company relocated its headquarters to Kansas City. Today, HQ is located in the South Plaza — at 4900 Oak St. More on the company’s legacy in a May newsletter.
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