‘When you have widespread vacancy,’ said Alana Henry, the executive director of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, ‘it’s reflective of a dying community, and that feeling of stagnation or death can be absorbed by the inhabitants.’
Josh Merchant
Josh Merchant is The Beacon's local government reporter in Kansas City. After graduating from Seattle University, Josh earned a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Columbia Journalism School with coursework in data journalism. Josh has contributed reporting to The Seattle Spectator, The South Seattle Emerald and THE CITY in New York. They're a former Beacon intern. At The Beacon, they reported on issues of traffic safety, with a focus on roadway design, as well as tax-incentivized development at a variety of Kansas City agencies. They have lived in Kansas City since 2021.
Posted inLocal Government
The Royals ‘think big.’ Proposed stadium at Crown Center would be the fourth-most expensive major league ballpark
The Royals have pitched a $1.9 billion stadium. That’s twice as expensive as Atlanta’s Truist Park and quadruple the cost of Denver’s Coors Field.
Posted inLocal Government
The Kansas City Royals are coming to Crown Center. Here’s how taxpayers are supporting the project
It’s official: the Royals are moving to Crown Center. But it remains unclear how much money Missouri taxpayers will contribute.
Posted inLocal Government
Inside Kansas City’s $600 million bet on a downtown Royals ballpark
If everything goes right, new taxes generated by a $1.9 billion ballpark will help pay off a $600 million city loan to help finance the deal. But if it goes wrong, that money could be drained from city services.
Posted inLocal Government
Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved the earnings tax. Here’s what’s next
With the earnings tax secured until at least 2031, Kansas City now looks ahead to negotiations with the Royals, looming bond measures for water and housing and the possible referendum to eliminate Missouri’s income tax.
Posted inLocal Government
‘There is no way I’m going to run.’ But fast forward six months, and Phil LeVota’s in the race for county executive
When the Jackson County Legislature appointed Phil LeVota as interim county executive, they made him swear that he did not intend to run for election. So why did he file paperwork to appear on the ballot?
Posted inHousing
Mayor Quinton Lucas proposes major rollback of Kansas City’s landmark affordable housing policy
For five years, Kansas City has required developers to provide affordable housing if they get a tax break. The City Council is considering slashing the set-aside fee, effectively gutting that requirement.
Posted inLocal Government
Kansas City hopes to spur new growth by loosening parking requirements
For decades, Kansas City has made it mandatory to provide a minimum amount of parking. Planners and advocates say that has helped hollow out the urban core.
Posted inElections
On the April 7 ballot: Should Kansas City keep its earnings tax?
If the measure passes, Kansas City will continue collecting a 63-year-old tax on Kansas City wages, salaries and profits. If it fails, the city will be forced to find hundreds of millions of dollars — or else make dramatic cuts.
Posted inState Government
Missouri considers calling on Congress to overturn Citizens United ruling that unleashed big money in politics
A bill filed in the General Assembly would make Missouri the 24th state to call on Congress to overturn Citizens United. The advocacy group pushing for the bill says similar measures have gotten bipartisan support in other states.