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🏗️ A whole new world
We bet Disneyland is going to be jealous. | Rendering by Loretto Commercial
By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard whispers of a whimsical new development coming to Olathe Gateway. We learned this massive sports complex + amusement park project is the latest development from the Hunt family — and now we know much more.
The amusement park
Our first big discovery? The theme park portion is dubbed Michael’s Wonder World Amusement Park.
Named for Lamar Hunt’s 10-year-old grandson, Michael Arkell, who “has a rare genetic condition, is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair,” the park will be an “ultra-accessible” experience, allowing people with disabilities to enjoy all the amenities.
Plans call for ~11 acres near the 119th Street and Renner Boulevard to be fashioned after Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio — the first theme park built to accommodate people with disabilities — likely including rides, playgrounds, picnic areas, a fishing lake, and amphitheater.
The sports arena
While we still don’t have a name for it, we do know the ~5,000 seat, 155,000-sqft arena will be ~7.5 miles northwest of the new BluHawk development. Plans for this space include hosting:
Minor league + semi-professional sports teams
Special Olympics events
Various tournaments, i.e. wrestling, figure skating, mixed-martial arts, and e-gaming
Ice skating for the general public
Conventions + trade shows
High-school graduations
Hotel, housing + retail
Within the 130-acre district will rest a 160-room hotel, multi-family housing units, and 132,200 sqft of retail + restaurant space. That means you’ll be able to live, eat, and breathe sports here (like Kansas Citians already do).
Cost and economic impact
Building this behemoth of a district is estimated to cost a total of ~$320 million — with $201,055,351 eligible to be covered by STAR bonds (funding the project has already filed to obtain).
Here are a few more figures expected over the next 20 years:
~640,000 visitors
$600+ million generated in taxable revenue
987 jobs created during construction
1,656 jobs available upon completion
Events
Events
Friday, Oct. 18
Fair Trade Rug Event | Friday, Oct. 18-Monday, Oct. 21 | Times vary | Crafted Fair Trade, Overland Park | Price of purchase | Find high-quality, hand-knotted rugs made with the highest fair trade labor standards, ranging from runners to 10’x14′.
Kristin Chenoweth | Friday, Oct. 18-Sunday, Oct. 20 | Times vary | Helzberg Hall | $72+ | The Tony award-winning actress and singer — known for her roles in “Wicked,” “Glee,” “BoJack Horseman,” and more — is back to dazzle KC audiences.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Jewelry Making and Wine Tasting | Saturday, Oct. 19 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Madison Flitch | $55 | Choose to create a set of earrings or bracelets made from the same leather used in the studio while sipping local wine.
Sunday, Oct. 20
Gothic Succulents Of Samhain | Sunday, Oct. 20 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Colonial Gardens, Blue Springs | $50 | Craft a hauntingly beautiful succulent arrangement featuring dark and eerie succulents that capture the spirit of the season.
30th Annual Dogtober Fest | Sunday, Oct. 20 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 8201 S. Jasper Bell Rd., Blue Springs | Free entry | Unleash some serious fun with 75+ pet-related booths, costume + trick contests, and adorable activities like bobbing for biscuits.
Monday, Oct. 21
Crafted for a Cause: Zero ABV Cocktail Competition | Monday, Oct. 21 | 6-9 p.m. | Third Place Lounge | $75 | Experience a unique zero-ABV cocktail competition where talented contestants shake up creative drinks, with proceeds benefiting Newhouse KC.
The secret to making new friends? This dinner reservation.
Presented by Timeleft
“My first dinner was so successful because I met some incredible people,” One Timeleft user said. “We did nothing but share good stories and laugh. The promise to replicate that first experience enticed me to attend the second dinner, then the third, and so on.” | Photos courtesy of Timeleft; GIF by 6AM City
Are you brave enough to dine with a group of strangers? Trust us, it’s not scary — it’s actually fun and rewarding, thanks to Timeleft.
Here’s how it works:
Simply, download the app + take a quick personality test.
Choose a Wednesday and book your seat.
Timeleft takes care of the rest, you just show up.
Enjoy lively conversations and make some amazing new connections.
You never know who you might meet over dinner. Book your seat and find out.
Speaking of the Hunts... the switch flippers for the 95th annual Evergy Plaza Lighting Ceremony are none other than Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt + his wife Tavia. Watch them kick off one of KC’s fave holiday traditions on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 7:05 p.m. Better get there early.
Art
Picture this — your art on billboards in the Crossroads. The Charlotte Street Foundation’s Crossroads Artboards contest has extended submissions to this Sunday, Oct. 20 for the 2025-2026 season. Selected pieces will be placed on the double-sided billboards at 125 Southwest Blvd. Share your vision.
Kids
Chris Goode, founder of Ruby Jean’s Juicery, has squeezed out a new healthy masterpiece: a children’s book. Stop by the restaurant’s patio (3000 Troost Ave., KCMO) for the debut reading of “Ruby Jean’s Garden” on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Weather
Whew, that was cold. KC experienced its first frost of the season this week. Luckily, it was only a winter teaser. Fall temps are projected to return in full force over this weekend — just in time for Cornucopia. (Kansas City Star)
Development
RB SRL, an Italian ammunition box manufacturer, is slated to open its first US branch here in Kansas City. Production testing for the $16 million facility will be this November, and it will be fully operation come early 2025.
Try This
You know what pairs well with Halloween candy? A charcuterie board, of course.Build your own coffin-shaped board at Blush Farms (131 S. Water St., Ste. 100, Liberty, MO) on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. for $75. We bet it’ll taste scary good.
Finance
If you have outstanding credit card debt, getting a new 0% intro APR credit card could help ease the pressure while you pay down your balances. Experts identified these top credit cards for anyone looking to pay down debt with no interest until 2026.*
Drink
Staying hydrated is easy (and delicious) with NativePath’s Hydrate drink mix. Each serving includes essential amino acids + electrolytes that foster optimal hydration with zero added sugar.*
Category
Announced
🔥 Cooking up something new
We can smell the development from here. | Rendering by Museum of BBQ
KC is the (unofficial) barbecue capital of the world, so it’s only befitting that the world’s first Museum of BBQ is being slow-cookedup at Crown Center.
Slated to open spring 2025 in place of the defunct Function Junction, the immersive 4,223-sqft museum is the brainchild of two barbecue enthusiasts. Johnathan Bender is a certified American Royal World Series of Barbecue judge, and fellow co-founder Chef Alex Pope is the owner and restaurateur behind Local Pig.
“Barbecue is a feast for your senses,” says Bender. “We’re creating a place where you can immerse yourself in the stories of barbecue.”
The museum will host two unique paths: one dedicated to the US’ famous barbecue regions (North and South Carolina, Memphis, Texas, and KC), and the second focusing on the elements that go into making barbecue so finger-licking good. There will even be a pit stop where you can jump into an oversized crock pot of barbecued beans. Get ready to shout, “Bean me up, Scotty.”
Want an appetizer before it opens? Stop by the museum’s entrance to view a tiny replica teasing its innards.
The Buy
The Buy
These best-selling flameless floating candles. Transform your living room or entryway with a touch of October magic, thanks to these candles that appear to be floating in midair.
All these developments and you know what I want? A tea bus tour like Tea Around Town. Please, someone bring me a tea bus. I promise I’ll write about it if you do.
