Kansas City Mayor Q Talks 'Plaza Bowl' Amid Developer Speculation

The tone of the Mayor's latest post is optimistic but it deserves some context and follow-up . . .

Critics of Mayor Q often remind Kansas City news readers that the precipitous decline of the Country Club Plaza wasn't brought about by rambunctious youngsters or even the emergence of online retail. The Plaza didn't really fall off a cliff until Mayor Q lead a group of activists during a riot shouting "No Justice, No Peace" and later that night a riot erupted that marked two weeks of chaotic destruction during the nation's "mostly peaceful" BLM riots following the murder of George Floyd.  

Now . . .

With at least 50 vacancies and desperation setting in . . .  Developers are demanding at NEARLY A QUARTER BILLION BUCKS WORTH OF TAX INCENTIVES in order to bring back The Plaza. 

 That's our perspective and what local news often forgets . . . Now, here's what Mayor Q had to say today on social media . . . 

"Part of the discussion is taking place already in connection with the Plaza Bowl concept, which Council recently modified in part to welcome and retain Kansas City businesses.  The next phase of discussion should look to properly scale density and changes that allow for market competitiveness while respecting the original design vision of the Country Club Plaza and the neighborhoods around it.  

"In terms of public support, we all expect a collaborative discussion with taxing jurisdictions, including our rising schools, library system, and the City itself, as we build out a model of how a healthy Plaza over the next generation can lift an entire community.  I am heartened to see steps taken in that direction."

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

Mayor Q On FB: "In Kansas City, we can respect the past while planning for a bright, dynamic, and competitive future, and that's the step essential as we plan for the future of Kansas City's century-old Country Club Plaza."

Developing . . .