It began with a Kansas City Council member’s concerns about bike lanes and their place in the long list of needs in Kansas City’s often overlooked, less-affluent neighborhoods. Those concerns coalesced into a proposed piece of legislation that included language calling for the city to remove existing bike lanes if neighborhood associations did not want […]
Celisa
Posted inLocal Government
The goal for new Kansas City neighborhoods director: less enforcement, more engagement
If a new department head has his way, Kansas City, Missouri’s city government will act more as a helper and less as an enforcer in neighborhoods. The Kansas City Council approved the creation of a standalone Housing and Community Development Department and a separate Neighborhoods and Community Services Department — splitting what used to be […]
Posted inEconomics, Local Government
What renters need to know about Kansas City’s new right-to-counsel law
Beginning in June, all tenants threatened with eviction will be guaranteed access to a lawyer if they want one, thanks to an ordinance the City Council approved last week.
Posted inEconomics
Kansas City families prepare for the end of the expanded federal child tax credits
Since 1997, most working families have been eligible for an income tax credit based on the number of children in a household. This year, millions of families across the U.S. benefited even more from the federal program.
Posted inLocal Government
Kansas City’s Northland divided over proposal to redraw City Council districts
The nine-member panel, which includes representatives from each of Kansas City’s six council districts, voted 6-3 to recommend a map to the City Council that eliminates the north-south border between the 1st and 2nd Districts.
Posted inEconomics
The ABCs of tax incentives in KC: TIFs, PIEA, LCRA and more
The use of tax incentives, also referred to as tax breaks, has been criticized in Kansas City and nationwide for being too generous to developers who may not need them.
Posted inEconomics
How economic development happens in Kansas City
Each development project is unique, and not all projects involve tax incentives. That’s why Kansas City’s economic development process looks less like a straight line from point A to point B and more like a flow chart.
Posted inEconomics
Kansas City is developing a winter plan for unhoused people. Will it be enough?
The city, in partnership with nonprofits and social service groups, is exploring solutions that include expanding capacity at shelters, building pallet homes and improving coordination among city services and resources in the community.
Posted inCivic Engagement
Kansas City is redrawing its City Council districts. Here’s what that means for you.
For Kansas City, Missouri, the deadline to redraw City Council districts is fast approaching. Officials have until Dec. 31 to establish new districts, according to the city charter.
Posted inCivic Engagement
A tale of two turnouts: Johnson County sees high turnout, but Wyandotte County still struggles
Across Johnson and Wyandotte counties, more than 127,000 voters cast ballots Nov. 2 in local races ranging from mayoral seats to city councils to school boards.