Lawsuit Claims Westport Discriminates Against Black Businesses

Sadly, for #TBT we revisit a familiar topic and renewed complaints of racial discrimination against Kansas City's historic entertainment district. 

The question: 

IS WESTPORT CONSPIRING AGAINST BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS?!?? 

Background . . .

The demographics of the district have evolved since the pandemic. Around 2010 - 2019 there was a renewed effort to turn the place an upscale, hipster party district and highlight gourmet food.

Now . . . Most of the luxury places have moved on and hookah bars along with the fast food dominate the district.

This year has seen slightly less violence overall . . . BUT . . . A deadly shooting last weekend reminds us that the longstanding problem with violence hasn't been solved.  

Reality check: 

Westport has ALWAYS been a vibrant and often dangerous place . . . The new development worth watching in this story is . . .

BLACK BUSINESS COALITIONS ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST WESTPORT OWNERS!!!

 Of course, the courts will determine the outcome and decide the fate of KC's party place that is always in flux . . . Check-it:  

A lawsuit filed by several Black business owners accuses Westport of racial discrimination – claiming several board members have intentionally excluded and pushed them out of the community. The lawsuit claims that the CID board members are "conspiring to make it nearly impossible for Black/African American business owners to exist in Westport."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . 

Fox4: Westport Community Improvement District accused of racial discrimination in lawsuit

KCTV5: Black businesses say Westport made it ‘nearly impossible’ to operate in $70M lawsuit

Developing . . .