Plus, the Chiefs need your ESPYS vote.
 
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Today’s Forecast

97º | 37% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:56 a.m. | Sunset 8:48 p.m.
 

🛍️ What’s in store for the Plaza

Plaza Purchase: Here is what’s in store for the shopping district
country club plaza press conference hp village partners owner and mayor q at podium speaking
HP Village Management has big plans for our Plaza. | Photo by KCtoday
We’re sure you heard the news — the Plaza is now the property of HP Village Management.

New ownership may mean a new day for the ailing district, but many Kansas Citians are concerned that a changing of the guard won’t necessarily save our Crown Jewel.

In order to address these concerns, the Dallas-based management group held a joint press conference with Mayor Q detailing upcoming changes + answering all of your burning questions.

What kinds of stores can we expect?

HP Village Management President Ray Washburne says you’ll see a mix of high end + affordable retailers, with an emphasis on local business tenants.

“What makes this a successful center isn’t national retailers, it’s the local retail [and] food + beverage scene,” he said. (We’ve known this for a long time: what’s made in KC is always best.)

In addition to sourcing local retailers, HP Village Management plans to target luxury brands, namely Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

Fun fact: According to Washburne, the KC metro is the largest market missing the aforementioned designer giants.

How will you make the Plaza feel safer?

While there is already police presence patrolling the Plaza 24/7, the new owners plan to add more police walking the sidewalks and install ~100 additional cameras.

These cameras will be able to read license plates and are intended to help cut down on loitering + petty crimes.

How about the Nordstrom lot?

Washburne said the empty eyesore of a lot where a Nordstrom was originally slated will likely see several mixed-use office and retail buildings rise in its place. These buildings will be designed to match the Plaza’s original Spanish-style architecture.

empty Nordstrom lot birds eye view

Now known as the “Nordstrom lot,” this space used to feature movie screens connected by a sky bridge.

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Photo from Google Earth

What will happen with the empty movie theater?

“That whole business has gone away,” Washburne said. “But we have had entertainment businesses reach out to us. We’re [not] putting in pinball places and things like that, but there are a lot of higher-end entertainment that are big footprints that would like to come in.”

Any guesses, KC? Editor Charmaine has her fingers crossed for a Meow Wolf.

Will you add a grocery store?

While a full-sized shop isn’t on the vision board, Washburne says the company has plans to “bring back a small grocery store,” like a convenience store.
Infrastructure updates + more plans
Asked

How do you feel about the new Plaza owners?
A. I love it.
B. I’m not sure about it.
C. I’m indifferent.
Share your thoughts
 
Events
Tuesday, July 2
  • Music Bingo | Tuesday, July 2 | 6-8 p.m. | Boulevard Tours & Rec Center, 2534 Madison Ave., KCMO | Free | Play a round of bingo with a musical twist, including rotating song categories.
  • Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays | Tuesday, July 2 | 7:10 p.m. | Kauffman Stadium, KCMO | $17-$450 | Come root root root for the home team.
Wednesday, July 3
  • 50 Plus Midsummer Mahjong Party | Wednesday, July 3 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, KS | Waitlist, $17-$19 | Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of clinking tiles, laughter, and strategic play, with drinks + desserts to boot.
  • Fourth of July LickiMat Prep | Wednesday, July 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Dogs’ Spot, 1701 Iron St., North Kansas City, MO | $5 | Prep for your pup’s least favorite night of the year with a holiday-themed treat.
Thursday, July 4
  • Lenexa Freedom Run | Thursday, July 4 | 7-9 a.m. | Old Town Lenexa, Santa Fe Trail Drive + Pflumm Road, Lenexa, KS | $38-$45 | Walkers, runners, and everyone in between are invited to strut their stuff at this Fourth of July race.
  • Stars and Stripes Picnic | Thursday, July 4 | 4-10 p.m. | National World War I Museum and Memorial, KCMO | Free entry | Celebrate the day with live music, local vendors, and Kansas City’s largest fireworks display.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Environment

City

Help protect yourself from ozone pollution this summer
Presented by a KCtoday Partner
a man riding a bike next to a body of water
Biking keeps our air cleaner, and it can also help you save money and improve your health. | Photo courtesy of Mid-America Regional Council
We love summer, but did you know that warm weather also means we’re in the most active part of ozone season? Ozone is one of the most common air pollutants, and prolonged exposure can lead to short- and long-term health issues.

Sign up for SkyCast, which sends free forecasts of air quality conditions expected for the next day, ranging from green (no health impact) to red (unhealthy for everyone.) An Ozone Alert is issued when the SkyCast is orange or red.

Read: With daily forecasts, SkyCast can help you avoid unnecessary exposure to high ozone levels.

Want to protect your health and contribute to cleaner air on red-level days? Here are four suggestions:
  1. Walk, bike, carpool, or ride the bus to reduce emissions.
  2. Schedule your outdoor activities for before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
  3. Wait until after sunset to fill your gas tank.
  4. Mow your lawn in the evening.
Stay informed about air quality this ozone season by receiving the SkyCast issued daily at 4 p.m. Breathe easy, Kansas City.
Sign up for SkyCast
News Notes
Awards
  • We know they’re the best, now let’s make sure the world knows it. The ESPYS are back, and Patrick Mahomes has been nominated for “Best Male Athlete” and “Best NFL Player.” The Chiefs as a whole are up for “Best Team.” Make sure you vote by this Friday, July 5 at 5 p.m.
Ranked
  • Raise your glass as we toast the seven JoCo restaurants that made Wine Spectator’s list of “Best Wine Programs:" 801 Chophouse, Story, Vintage ’78 Wine Bar, Scratch Gourmet Kitchen, Verbena, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, and Wandering Vine at the Castle. Let’s go, KC metro.
Civic
  • 113. That’s how many new laws Kansas has ratified since the new year. While we don’t have the word count to dissect all of them, we do have this list of the top 10 laws you should pay attention to. (FOX4)
Pets
  • The dog days of summer aren’t so bad — not when Brookside Barkery announces two new stores. The pet goods brand is expanding to five locations. An Overland Park spot is set to open later this year, and another in Prairie Village is set to open in 2025. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Sports
  • Need news from the diamond? KCUR has stepped up to the plate. See what’s behind the Royals’ comeback season and what baseball fans can expect before the MLB’s July 30 trade deadline. Listen in anytime. (KCUR)
Transit
  • If your downtown plans this week include the KC Streetcar, then take note — holiday hours are in effect Wednesday, July 3-Saturday, July 6. The rail will be running for both the KC Current’s home game + First Fridays, but the hours and amount of cars are different. Check the schedule.
Environment
  • Prairie Village is on a lean, green, clean mission. The city is moving on to the next phase of its ambitious plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050. It addressed the effects of its municipal operations last year, now it is tackling emissions from businesses + residents. (Johnson County Post)
Drink
  • The first annual Legends of Whiskey Summer Festival is happening on Saturday, July 13 at Children’s Mercy Park. From 5-8 p.m., guests will taste samples of popular spirits + meet brand representatives and master distillers. Psst… VIP + Platinum VIP ticket holders receive early entry and exclusive features. Snag tix.*
 
Travel

✈️ Start tripping

All you need to know about KCI
Photo of concourse connector at KCI
There are a few things to know before you’re hurtling along the moving walkways. | Photo by KCtoday
Traveling by plane is fun — jet-setting over rolling hills and beautiful blue waters, taking in cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours is unlike anything else.

The whole navigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. Luckily, we’re doing the heavy lifting so flying in and out of KC can be a breeze.

What to know

  • Website | This website is the key to the kingdom, its frontpage alone allows you to check flight status and parking availability.
  • Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, this interactive map will get you started. Think of the shape of the terminal like a big “H” for “home.”
  • Food and drink | This terminal features 50+ food and retail options.
  • Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.
Take flight
The Buy

The Buy 7.02.24 (Affiliate)
A Blink security camera two-pack that’s on sale early for Prime Day. Prime members can get the normally $139.98 cameras for $49.99.
 
The Wrap
 
Charmaine Merriweather.png

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine
From the editor
My Plaza wishlist includes:
  • A grocery store
  • Local plant shop that sells fresh-cut bouquets daily
  • Late-night spots like a speakeasy or live music lounge
  • At least one locally owned bookstore
  • A children’s clothing store
What’s on your Plaza wishlist? Let me know.
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